Skills Not Mills - Part 2
Part 1 of this article talks about one of the most common questions I’m asked: “how much will 1ml of filler cost?”
Much of what I do for patients is not something I can actually put on the proverbial price list:
And let’s not forget how that 1ml of filler is administered. A skilled cosmetic physician will have great expertise and insight into how to use the injectables to achieve specific results. My own education in this field spans a decade of formal study, countless patient consultations and years in the field. Patient safety is paramount and should also play a crucial role in the perceived ‘cost’ of the 1ml of filler.
Absolutely none of this information should be intimidating or serve as a deterrent. In fact, the education behind understanding the intricate and individualised nuances of the techniques – together with the patient and product safety – should be empowering for a patient.
“Would you visit a GP when you have a chest infection and ask for only 1 antibiotic tablet or would you be trusting of their advice to prescribe a holistic treatment solution?”
The consultation can’t be commoditised:
I’m certainly very conscious of the price implications of these treatments. They are not something that we decide on easily or randomly, nor should they be. So, whilst a cost indication should absolutely be a factor for consideration, I urge people to equally assess the education and expertise of the practitioner performing the treatment. I’m always sensitive to the fact that patients need to undertake treatments within their personal budget, but I also worry for those patients who shop around purely on price – trying to save a few dollars here and there – and don’t take into account that part of what they’re paying for is the years and years of training and expertise (let alone accreditation) to perform these treatments. I urge patients to remember it’s easier to get the treatment right the first time rather than pay for the revisions. The cost can come as both a financial one and also in terms of time and discomfort. Essentially my advice is to compare on expertise and experience before you compare on price. And consider the treatment and its goals in its entirety, rather than distilling it down to 1ml of product.
One of the greatest skills a cosmetic physician or surgeon can bring to a patient’s consultation is to understand their patient’s goals, assess the best way to address to concern and marry it up with the time frames, lifestyle and budget and then aim to achieve a longevity of the treatment as well. That is a skill in itself and is learned over decades of practicing.
Ponder this…..
Facial rejuvenation and balancing are a craft, whether undertaken as a non-surgical or surgical procedure. You wouldn’t see a dentist for a facelift and I’m really passionate about educating patients on the investment in seeing a cosmetic physician who carries years of training in anatomy, techniques, product knowledge and also having professional peer support should a cross-referral or collaborative process need to occur.
If I can leave you with one little analogy to ponder.... Would you visit a GP when you have a chest infection and ask for only 1 antibiotic tablet or would you be trusting of their advice to prescribe a holistic treatment solution?