You've decided you're ready to get an injectable treatment. You may even have an aspirational Pinterest board ready. Now what? Portrait connects you to leading providers who can help you bring your goals to life.

Here are our insider tips for finding the perfect provider for you.

Check for credentials

All of Portrait's medical providers are board-certified nurse practitioners (NP), registered nurses (RN), and physician assistants (PA) with years of experience in the industry. While treatments like Botox® or dermal fillers are typically for cosmetic purposes, they are still medical procedures and they should be handled as such. The needle penetrates the skin, which means your injector needs to be fully trained on infection control procedures. With any injection, there is always a small chance of an adverse reaction, so it’s important to work with a provider who can administer appropriate care if needed. You should also remember that your face is a delicate area filled with nerves, blood vessels, and muscles, not to mention your eyes, ears, and mouth. A qualified injector will know the anatomy of the face and proper treatment protocols to ensure no harm is done during procedures.

States have their own rules about who is allowed to administer injectables. Check the licensing regulations where you live to make sure your injector is legally allowed to perform the procedures you want. In states like Texas and California, doctors are allowed to perform injectable treatments. In addition, certified physician assistants, registered nurses, and nurse practitioners can offer injectables if they’re working under the supervision of an MD.

Some RNs, NPs, and PAs have gotten specialized training in performing specific aesthetic treatments. To view a Portrait provider's credentials, visit portraitcare.com/providers and select a clinician in your area to learn more.

Word of mouth

If you have a friend who looks fantastic, ask if they see an injector. If they say yes, ask for all the details. There’s nothing like watching someone’s face in conversation to see if you like the way treatments look in real life.

Personal recommendations are one of the most valuable tools in checking out a provider of any kind. A trusted friend will give you the lowdown information like pricing, how long treatments last, and whether or not the injections hurt.

Social Media

Don’t be shy about checking out an injector’s Instagram account. That’s what it’s there for, after all. Many top-level providers have active social media accounts where they post information about their practice. Take a close look at any before-and-after photos they posted of their clients. The images they share will give you an idea of the treatment outcomes they specialize in.

Don’t be afraid to scroll away if a highly recommended injector’s pictures don’t vibe with your preferences. A provider might be skilled at doing perfectly plumped Scarlett Johansson lips. However, if you’re going for a Keira Knightly look, you may want to keep looking.

Injections are as much art as science. Find an injector whose artwork appeals to you.

Google Reviews

Google reviews or other anonymous online forums can be a mixed bag when it comes to getting honest reviews. Take everything you read with a grain of salt. However, if you notice a pattern in online reviews, take notice. One negative comment might just be a troll. Several comments all noting the same problem are probably worth noting. Look for comments about office cleanliness, customer service, and stories about complications from procedures.

If your state has public records for complaints about medical providers, you can check those listings as well. Look for the provider who will be doing your injections as well as the doctor who supervises them. Ideally, you won’t turn up anything when you run an injector’s name through the system. But if they do have citations against them for any reason, it’s good to find that out in advance.

Go for an in-person consultation

Once you’ve done the background research, schedule an in-person or Zoom consultation to get to know the provider. Some providers offer free consultation appointments while others may not, so ask when you call.

Take the opportunity to sit with the provider and see if your personalities vibe. You should feel at ease with a provider and comfortable asking a lot of questions. Ask about what products they use and why. Tell your provider what treatments you are considering but also ask if those treatments are appropriate for you. If they try to steer you away from a particular treatment, ask why. Write your list of questions in advance, so you don’t miss anything important in the moment.

Use some of the time to let the provider get to know you. Explain why you’re there and what your beauty goals are. Be honest about your skincare routines and lifestyle. Let them know about any health conditions you have, as well. That will help the provider advise you on what will work best for you.

Make sure to ask about risks if the provider doesn’t bring them up first. Injectable treatments, when used properly, are generally safe. However, there are risks any time you have a medical procedure, no matter how minor. A responsible provider will be forthcoming about what could happen if something goes wrong.

Finding the right injector is like finding the right hairstylist. You’re looking for a combination of skills and rapport. It’s a personal and professional connection that forms the basis of a relationship that can last for years. Over time, you and your provider can evolve your treatments to keep you looking your best no matter what.

Visit our website to find a Portrait provider in your area and book an appointment today.

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