Med Spa Consultations: Questions to Ask Before Fillers and Cosmetic Treatments

Why a consultation matters

Treatments offered at medical spas — such as injectables, fillers and some laser procedures — are medical procedures with real risks. A consultation is your chance to understand what is proposed, who will do it and what could go wrong, before you commit or pay.

Questions about the provider

• Who will perform the treatment, and what is their professional license? Licensing and supervision rules are set by each state; your state’s medical, nursing or cosmetology board can usually confirm a license online.
• Is a physician or other medical professional supervising, and are they on site?
• How many times has this person performed this exact procedure?
• What happens if there is a complication — who do I call, including after hours?

Questions about the product

• What exact product will be used, and is it FDA-approved for this use and this part of the body?
• Can I see the packaging or product information?

The FDA’s dermal filler page says it has approved dermal fillers for use in adults 22 years of age or older for specific uses, such as certain facial wrinkles and folds and lip, cheek, chin and back-of-hand augmentation. It also says:

• the FDA recommends against using dermal fillers or any injectable filler for body contouring or enhancement, and lists injection areas such as the area between the eyebrows, nose, around the eyes, forehead and neck as uses that are not FDA-approved;
• injectable silicone is not approved for any aesthetic procedure;
• needle-free devices are not approved for injecting fillers, and no dermal filler is approved for over-the-counter use.

Questions about risks and results

• What are the common side effects, and how long do they usually last?
• What are the rare but serious risks? The FDA says the most concerning risk with dermal fillers is unintentional injection into a blood vessel, which can cause serious and sometimes permanent complications.
• How long will results last, and what would removal or correction involve? The FDA notes removal can be difficult or impossible for some fillers.
• Do I need an allergy test for this product? The FDA says patients should be tested for allergies before using fillers made with certain materials, especially animal-derived ones.

What to bring and tell them

Bring a list of medicines and supplements, allergies, past cosmetic treatments and health conditions. Tell the provider if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Costs and paperwork

Ask for the full price in writing, including follow-up visits, and read the consent form before the day of treatment. You can take time to think — a reputable provider won’t pressure you to decide on the spot.