5 warning signs for not treating a client: by SkinViva aesthetics trainers

SkinViva Training’s aesthetics dentists and doctors have given their top 5 warning signs to be aware of before treating a client…

As medical professionals, we are all hard wired to want to please people, and what better way to do this than by giving them the fabulous appearance that they have always dreamed of? But what happens when a client’s expectations exceed what you can achieve for them? Or if what they are asking you to do may put them at risk? It is during these occasions that many clinicians feel torn between the urge to please their client and wanting to do what is best for them.

As aesthetic doctors, dentists and nurses, we are likely to encounter many difficult cases throughout our careers and the best course of action will not always be clear, but there are a few instances that should make you think carefully before going ahead with a treatment.

1.Do they really want the treatment?

It may sound obvious, but making sure that the client is the one seeking treatment for themselves is essential. An unfortunate reality of the aesthetics industry, is that the people we treat are sometimes in a vulnerable position and may be acting under the influence or instruction of someone else. If you feel that your client is only considering a Botox or dermal filler treatment to please someone else or because they have been coerced, you should be very cautious about going ahead with the appointment without exploring their motivations further.

2. Do they want treatment for the right reasons?

Establishing the true motivations behind someone’s decision to seek treatment can be tricky and is often a grey area in terms of whether they are a suitable candidate, however, you should be wary if the client has a history of mental health problems and displays an unhealthy attitude towards their appearance, because this combination can prove problematic for you as their clinician. These people are often using aesthetic treatments to try and fix a deeper emotional problem that they have and no matter how good the result is, you may struggle to make them happy because their issue isn’t really about the way they look.

However, it is also important not to generalise because there are clients, that struggle with emotional problems, for whom aesthetic treatments provide a much needed lift. The consultation gives you a golden opportunity to really try and get to know your client’s motivations so that you can work out which bracket they fall in to.

3. Is the treatment right for them?

One of the most important questions that you should be asking yourself during the consultation, is whether the treatment that the client is asking for will solve their problem. Sometimes a client will come to you believing that they need one treatment when actually they would get much better results with another. As their clinician, it is your job to guide your customers using your expertise and to help them find the treatment that will give them the best possible outcome… even if that means refusing them the treatment that they are asking for. It is much better to be clear and upfront with your client about what will and won’t work for them, than to go ahead with an aesthetic treatment that you know is unlikely to make them happy; they might dig their heels in initially but they will almost definitely thank you for it long term!

4. Are their expectations realistic?

Every once in a while, a client comes along with a limited budget and sky high expectations. Telling your 65 year old patient that you can’t make her look like Angelina Jolie with two syringes of dermal filler is never an easy conversation to have, but it is an important one because if you allow your client to maintain the illusion that they will look completely different post treatment, you are setting them up for disappointment, and yourself up for further problems when they inevitably blame you for their lack of results. If your client is unwilling to moderate their expectations or is resistant to your advice, think carefully about treating them at all because a bad review from an angry client can be more damaging to your business than losing out on one treatment.

5. Do they have a medical condition that puts them at risk?

This is perhaps the most clear- cut reason for not treating a client. As medical professionals, we are required ethically to make sure that our patient’s safety comes first, so anything that might jeopardise this needs to be taken very seriously. There are some medical conditions that may cause worsened side effects for example, if the client is taking blood thinners, they might experience more severe bruising. Some medical conditions could also increase the risk of a reaction or allergy to a Botox or dermal filler product. These are not always reasons to refuse treatment but must be discussed with the client prior to treatment so that they are prepared for this outcome and can plan around it if necessary.

There are however, some circumstances in which refusing treatment is the only option for instance, if the client has had anaphylaxis as a result of an aesthetic treatment in the past or if they are pregnant/breast feeding.

SkinViva Training specialises in Botox and dermal filler training courses for medical professionals. Lead by our highly- experienced team of doctors and dentists, our training courses offer industry leading group sizes, in-depth practical with live models using the latest techniques and access to the Skinjectors network alongside a list of trusted prescribers. To find out more about any of our courses, please contact our Training Co-ordinators on 0161 850 2491