Do Doctors and Nurse Injectors do their own Dermal Fillers?

Question

Im wondering how reliable it is to base your decision on picking your injector based on what their face looks like (ie:how natural their fillers look)? Do injectors inject their own face or do they go to someone else and their "face results' are the work and vision of the other doctor/nurse who treated them? Sometimes I come across an injectors profile who states they like and do natural results but their face looks far from natural... Thanks

Michael A. Persky, MD · Answer

Many of the funny looking ones do.  It is amazing to me how many injectors inject themselves.  My best advice to you is that whether they inject themselves or each other, or whatever, if they look frighteningly alien with lips and cheeks and frozen facial expression, then choose another injector.  There is a sense of natural artistic vision missing and you don't want that to spread to your one and only face.  As with any aesthetic procedure, it is essential to choose your treating physician based on their skill, experience, knowledge, caring nature, and most importantly sense of natural artistic vision.Make sure that your sense of natural beauty matches that of your chosen injecting physician , preferably one who studied under the principles of Leonardo da Vince rather than those of Pablo Picasso.  Good luck and be well.Michael Persky, MDEncino, CA

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

It is extremely important to find a cosmetic dermatologist or plastic surgeon who does their own injections and is experienced.  If a complication were to occur they are trained in anatomy and complications.  I find they are much better at facial contouring and assessments.  In my practice I perform all these injections myself and do not delegate to ancillary staff.

Mitesh Kapadia, MD, PhD · Answer

Great question. You are correct that most of us inject ourselves. If your injector looks overdone and unnatural, run away and find someone else. Chances are your idea of what looks good is going to be different from the injector's.

Darice W. Fadeyi, MD · Answer

This is such an interesting question. Personally, I’m only comfortable injecting my own botulinum toxin and I believe most injectors feel the same way. Filler injection, done well, requires both distance and a visual of all profiles and also a view from above and below. And you have made an astute assessment of many injectors. A large cohort look bloated and doughy from years of over injecting either on themselves or at the hands of colleagues. You would be wise to consult with someone whose credentials AND appearance are pleasing to you. Best of luck!

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

There are many odd looking injectors. Some inject themself (bad idea) and some are injected by others. Regardless, would you really trust a physician injector who looks odd or overdone? If they can't express an appropriate sense of aesthetics in their own face, can they really be trusted with yours? It can be a process to find an injector that you trust but when you do, you should stick with them. Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

Heidi A. Waldorf, MD · Answer

My answer is a resounding YES.  You should care about how your injector looks as well as how everyone else in the office looks.  A study I published with several other board certified core cosmetic physicians (dermatology, plastic surgery, facial plastic surgery, oculoplastic surgery) revealed that at least half of the physicians who used injectables on patients, had them also.  Almost half of those surveyed did their own botulinum toxin injections.  Of those having filler, 76% had another physician do the injecting, 21% a nonphysician PA, CRNA or RN do it and 2% had someone without any credentialing do it.  What that says is that physicians have a choice of who does their injecting when it is unwise, unsafe or just physically difficult to do their own injecting. (Filler injection requires more complex hand manipulations of the syringe and hand-eye coordination than toxin injection.)  As a cosmetic dermatologist, I know that my face is my most important calling card.  It has to reflect my aesthetic. That's why I inject my own botulinum toxin and have only five fellow physicians from around the globe who I allow to inject my filler.  And I inject many fellow core cosmetic physicians.  Remember that there is an art and a science to creating ideal aesthetic results with injectables.  Each patient must be able to trust his or her physician's aesthetic eye.  One very clear way to judge is how he or she looks.  I hope this answer was helpful.Best wishes!

Edwin Ishoo, MD · Answer

Botox and fillers are prescriptive drugs and the medical boards frown upon any doctors self-medicating.

Gregory Pistone, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

I imagine you will get a variety of answers to your question.  Personally, I never inject my own fillers, although I am able to inject my own botulinum toxin.  The reason is that fillers need a 3-dimensional evaluation while being injected and it's difficult to look into a mirror and see this on yourself.  However, sometimes I wonder why Aesthetic Specialists do not pay much attention to themselves in order to look their best. But that, I suppose, is a personal choice.  What would concern me is seeing such a Specialist with an unnatural appearance from fillers, or other aesthetic procedures, whether they were self injected or not.  One would think they would have enough perception to know what looks good or not. And if they don't I don't think I would trust them with my face.  Bear in mind, however, this is just one man's humble opinion.

Do Doctors and Nurse Injectors do their own Dermal Fillers?

Answers (8)

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