Is It Ok for Someone Other Than a Doctor to Do Injectable Fillers?

asked 4 months ago by anon
Latest answer by Harold A. Lancer, MD
Question viewed 216 times
Tags: injector, nurse, physician assistant

Of course injectable fillers are available from a lot of unqualified/under-trained providers, so I thought going to a dermatologist or facial plastic surgeon was the way to go. However, I'm getting the impression that some of them have Physician Assistants, maybe even nurses, doing the injections. To me, it seems if I'm not being injected by the doctor I'm still putting myself at the same risk by having an inexperienced injector as if I went to a medi-spa. Would love to hear your candid thoughts

6 answers to Is It Ok for Someone Other Than a Doctor to Do Injectable Fillers?

The MOST IMPORTANT thing about Restrylane, Botox and Juvederminjectables

The most important thing about receiving any cosmetic treatments utilizing injectableagents is who is at the other end of the needle. Botox, Dysport, Restylane and Juvederm are our FDA regulated treatments and are only available to licensed physicians. Different states will have different regulations as to what tasks a physician may delegate to his staff. A board certified dermatologist/ENT/Plastic Surgeon has had extensive training in the anatomy... more

Charles Crutchfield, MD
Minneapolis Dermatologic Surgeon

Core physicians are Superior

Frankly, it seems to me that there is a public perception that Botox is dangerous, but fillers are safe. It does not take long to peruse this site, or listen in on dermatologists and plastic surgeons discussing cosmetic procedures, to learn that fillers are far more laden with potential for disaster than Botox. While I personally have not heard of any Botox disasters, I DO know of three incidences in which large areas of a woman's face ended up gangrenous and black due to... more

Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD
Virginia Beach Dermatologist

Injectable Filler procedures are best performed by qualified physicians.

This is another great question. Dr. Oppenheim hit the nail right on the head with his thoughtful response below. Skin necrosis does happen with HA and other gel-fillers, and in my opinion, this disfiguring complication is at least somewhat technique-dependent. If signs of ischemic skin changes are noted at the time of treatment, there is a protocol involving immediate hyaluronidase and nitroglycerine paste to improve outcomes. Examples of disfiguring HA complications were presented at 7th... more

Eric M. Joseph, MD
West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon

Injectables and injectors

I do all my own injecting because I feel that the patients want me to do it for them, and I was trained in aesthetic procedures and have an "eye" for it. Yes there are some good non physician injectors like nurses and PA's. I believe in NY state( my home state) these two individuals are allowed to inject under the supervision of a physician but I am not sure in other states.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Who Should be injecting Wrinkle Fillers and Botox?

Opinions re divided on WHO is best qualified to inject filles and Botox. If done efficiently and in large numbers fillers and Botox can be very profitable. Understandably, Family Practicea and Ob-Gyn as well as salons and "spas" jumped into he fray. In addition a lot of Plastic Surgery | Dermatology practices are very profitable bt delegating these procedures to "injectors". Are their results better than those of inexperienced injectors? yes. Are their results... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Fillers

While you may be able to get injectables by someone other than a doctor, I would highly recommend finding someone who is at least licensed and well trained on how to properly inject fillers. Definitely do some research before hand.

Harold A. Lancer, MD
Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

Ask a question

Get Free Email Updates