In a world filled with filters, Facetune and PhotoShop; it’s becoming more and more likely that patients may visit your clinic with unrealistic expectations of what can be achieved with Botox and dermal fillers. As a responsible aesthetic practitioner, you have a duty to ensure your patients have realistic expectations and a clear understanding of the treatment process.

This article highlights the importance of managing expectations through clear and effective communication. It delves into MATA’s top five tips for managing expectations in the field of aesthetics and outlines what patients can expect following facial fillers, highlighting the critical role of communication in establishing and maintaining realistic expectations.

The Importance of Managing Expectations in Aesthetic Treatments

Patients often come to an aesthetic practitioner with high expectations, influenced by social media and celebrity culture. It is the responsibility of practitioners, trained through programs like the level 7 Aesthetics course or filler course, to manage these expectations. Open discussions, visual before and after images, and addressing the impact of filters and photo editing helps individuals maintain a realistic outlook on their results.

Practitioners must be confident in guiding patients through the decision-making process. They should also feel empowered to refuse procedures that may not align with the expectations, ensuring safe and realistic outcomes.

Managing expectations doesn’t stop at the treatment; it extends to the recovery phase. Detailed discussions about the healing process, including common side effects such as swelling and bruising, are vital. Proactive communication about what to expect can help patients feel more at ease during their recovery.

This preparation is crucial for practitioners who have undergone training, such as in the Botox course in London, Manchester or Glasgow. Patients must understand the potential side effects and recovery timelines to ensure a positive experience.

Mata’s Top 5 Tips For Managing Expectations in Aesthetics

1. Maintain An Honesty Policy

Although of course having a book filled with patients is an admirable goal, there is no substitute for having and keeping a reputation of safe, responsible aesthetics practice. If a patient comes to you with an impossible request, then be confident in your ability to tell your patient exactly what you as a practitioner can achieve with aesthetic injectables, and refrain from overselling what you or the product can do. Even the best practitioner has limits, and it will only benefit your clinic to make sure your patients understand this.

2. Have a Real Conversation with Your Patients

Although consent forms are a legal necessity for your clinic, they should never take the place of a real conversation with your patients which covers the risks and rewards of their chosen aesthetic treatment. This conversation will not only allow you to identify any unrealistic expectations and manage them appropriately, but will also ensure that your patients commit to the procedure from a fully informed position.

3. Make Use of Visual Aids

It’s likely that you already have a stock of before and after photos from your existing patients to allow you to provide treatment continuity. If you have the necessary permissions to use these images for business purposes, then these before and after shots can give prospective patients a real look at the changes that are possible with aesthetic injectables.

Having a Lookbook of before and after images covering a variety of treatments will also help illustrate that some looks take time and multiple visits to accomplish. Patients may visit you with the expectation that lips can go from thin to Jenner-style voluptuous in a single treatment. Being able to show them that this isn’t possible, with reference to real cases, will often make your patient far more receptive to building a treatment plan with you.

4. Be Aware of Apps, Influencers and Advertisers

With the rise of apps that allow the face and body to be heavily filtered and reshaped, even in video; influencers and advertisers have been in the spotlight for promoting looks that are unrealistic or even physically impossible. Maintaining a professional awareness of image-editing apps, the effects they can create, and even having a bank of unedited vs edited images available, can all help you manage expectations in your aesthetics practice.

5. Feel Comfortable Saying No

It’s inevitable that during your career in aesthetics, some patients will simply not listen to your advice regarding treatment. Although it may be tempting to carry out the procedure; when the results inevitably don’t match expectations, these patients can and will cause problems for your business. In the end, it is far better to let these patients go than to lose your reputation as an aesthetics practitioner.

Now Let’s Look Into What to Expect After Different Dermal Fillers

Lip Fillers

A common question is what to expect after lip filler treatment. Practitioners trained in a lip injection course should inform patients that swelling and bruising are typical after the procedure. Although the lips may appear fuller immediately, this initial fullness is often accompanied by swelling that can temporarily obscure the final outcome.

Post-treatment care is essential. Patients should be advised to apply ice and avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours to minimise swelling and bruising. They should also avoid intense physical activity and sun exposure to ensure optimal healing.

Cheek Fillers

For patients interested in cheek augmentation, understanding what to expect after fillers in cheeks, is highly important. After cheek filler injections, patients should anticipate swelling and bruising, along with possible tenderness. The final results may take up to two weeks to become visible as the swelling subsides.

Practitioners should recommend avoiding alcohol for at least 24 hours post-treatment and gently applying ice to the treated area. Clear communication about the timeline for recovery helps manage patient expectations.

Chin Fillers

When discussing what to expect after chin filler treatment, it’s important to emphasise that chin filler injections offer subtle but effective contouring. However, patients should be prepared for swelling and bruising, which may last up to a week. The chin may feel tight or uncomfortable as the filler settles, a normal part of the process.

To ensure smooth recovery, patients should apply ice and avoid strenuous activities. Setting realistic expectations is key, as chin filler procedures aim for natural enhancements that harmonise with the patient’s facial structure.

Tear Trough Fillers

Many patients wonder what to expect one week after tear trough filler. Tear trough filler treatments are effective for reducing eye bags and dark circles, providing a youthful appearance. However, due to the delicate nature of the eye area, swelling and bruising can be more pronounced.

Patients should be informed that some dark circles or puffiness might persist for up to a week. The role of hyaluronic acid in the filler should be explained, as it helps retain moisture and reduce shadows. Proper aftercare, including avoiding rubbing the eyes, is crucial for optimal results.

Comprehensive Post-Treatment Care for Enhanced Results

The period immediately following any dermal filler procedure, including those covered in a botox course london, botox course manchester, or Botox course glasgow, is critical for achieving the best possible results. Patients should receive thorough post-treatment instructions to manage side effects and promote healing.

Post Treatment: The First 48 Hours

Patients should be mindful of their activities within 24 to 48 hours after filler injections. Applying ice intermittently can help reduce swelling and bruising, but it’s important to do so gently. Patients should also be advised to avoid alcohol during this period to minimise bruising and aid the healing process.

Monitoring Side Effects and Ensuring Safety

While most side effects are mild and temporary, patients should be informed about what to expect and when to seek further assistance. Common side effects include redness, tenderness, and itching at the injection site. If severe pain, prolonged swelling, or unusual symptoms occur, patients should contact their practitioner immediately.

Emphasising the Patient-First Approach in Aesthetics

A patient-first approach in aesthetics prioritises the person’s comfort, safety, and satisfaction. This approach begins with the training provided in courses like the level 7 aesthetics course or filler course and extends to every patient interaction.

Given the influence of social media and photo-editing apps, practitioners must have honest conversations and use visual aids to help patients maintain realistic expectations. Practitioners should feel comfortable saying no when a patient’s expectations cannot be met, preserving the practice’s integrity and ensuring safe, realistic outcomes.

By fostering open communication and providing comprehensive guidance, practitioners help patients achieve their desired results while maintaining realistic expectations and building trust, loyalty, and long-term success.

Conclusion

Managing patients expectations is crucial for success in any aesthetic practice. Setting realistic expectations before administering fillers is essential to avoid disappointed customers and complaints. It is also important to explain what patients can expect after the procedure so they are fully prepared on what to expect. The importance of  managing patient expectations in a patient-first approach will always be there, and you are now educated on it!