How To Explain The Side Effects Of Botox To Your Clients

Even if you plan to focus mostly on dermal filler treatments in your practice, such as cheek augmentation filler and filler rhinoplasty, you may still find that you regularly draw upon the benefits of Botox to enhance your work. If you’re carrying out an 8 point face lift, for example, Botox around those areas of the face can improve patient satisfaction.

However, chances are that your patients have heard about the dangers of Botox. After all, Botulinum toxin is considered to be one of the most dangerous substances in the world. So how can you ethically and responsibly manage patient concerns while also providing them with complete peace of mind that these treatments carry low risk?

Acknowledge Risk

The most effective approach is to be open and honest with your patients during their consultation. Acknowledge the dangers of Botulinum toxin, but be clear that the form of the substance used in Botox treatments is heavily diluted for highly reduced potency.

It’s also important to be sure that your patients understand that adverse side effects of Botox are statistically more likely to occur in those with a history of physiological conditions, such as neurological disorders or aspiration. This can encourage your patients to share information about their health during their pre-treatment consultation.

Side Effects of Botox

Patients should be aware that many of the side effects of Botox are completely normal, and occur in a large number of patients. These side effects are rarely a sign of something more serious, and are largely unrelated to the botulinum toxin itself. Instead, they’re related to the actual procedure. Ensure that your patients are very clear on what Botox entails — small injections just under the skin — and that these series of injections penetrate the skin which can result in some discomfort and even nervousness.

Common side effects of Botox include:

  • A mild headache
  • Redness or bruising at the injection sites (there may also be swelling)
  • An inability to move some facial features as freely as before
  • Temporary facial weakness and the Botox settles into place

The trickier part comes in explaining the very rare yet more serious complications to your patients. However, you can make this easier by ensuring your patients are clear on what actions they should take if they are concerned, or if they experience side effects. You can make your patients feel more at ease by providing them with your contact details for post-treatment support, and by making sure they know what’s not considered normal. Any difficulties breathing should always be referred to 999.

Transparency

Being open and honest about the side effects of Botox is one of the best ways to instil trust in your patients. For any patient who will be having Botox to areas of the face, including Botox to the forehead and eyebrow lift Botox, always acknowledge the dangers and take the necessary precautions to lower risk, such as suitable technique and a thorough pre-treatment consultation. Acknowledging risk is one of the most challenging parts of aesthetic beauty, but it’s something all good facial aesthetics practitioners should do. And at Derma Institute, we’re here to support you.

Training with Derma Institute

Here at Derma Institute, we provide award-winning training to all of our trainees. We pride ourselves in offering the very latest in skills and techniques to the highest professional and regulatory standards. Patient safety is our highest priority, and we ensure that we provide our trainees with all they need to practise safely and give patients results they will love.

We offer courses that are suitable for both beginners and advanced practitioners, helping you through your career path every step of the way.

For more information and recommendations on where to begin on your path to becoming a medical aesthetician, get in touch with one of our experts today!