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One thing medical aesthetics are known to do extremely well is to convince you to make your face look better than it already does. You see a couple of pictures online and start doubting the symmetry of your jaw line while the kettle’s still warming up.

Take a moment before making a decision.

There are hundreds of treatments available, ranging from hydration-focused options to energy-based procedures. In Singapore, aesthetic procedures carried out by licensed healthcare providers are regulated as medical procedures. Whether a treatment sounds high-tech or not, what really matters is whether the clinic can clearly explain what it involves, who will carry it out and why it may be appropriate for you. The best aesthetic clinic for your needs is not necessarily the one with the longest treatment menu, but the one that gives you clear answers without rushing your decision.

Some procedures put emphasis on hydration, comfort and skin care at the surface level; others use prescription medications, injections and energy-based technology. It does not matter if the clinic can boast a long list of treatments. Your face is not the part of their menu. It is yours exclusively - unique and very personal. The goal of a consultation is not to enrol you in any available procedure. What matters is that you’re provided provide you with all the necessary information.

Here are seven questions you should consider before booking:

1. Who will be carrying out my treatment?

It might seem strange, but you should ask this question regardless.

Would you leave your car with just anybody solely because they’re enthusiastic about driving? It’s exactly the same for your face.

Ask:

• Who conducts the consultation?
• Who conducts the procedure?
• Is a doctor going to be involved in my treatment?
• Whom should I contact in case I have any concerns regarding the procedure?

Reputable clinics should be able to answer all these questions.

2. Am I receiving a consultation or just a recommendation?

Feeling heard is important, but it is not the same as receiving a thorough assessment.

You may think that your skin looks dull and you want it to be brighter. There can be dozens of reasons for lacklustre skin. The issue could be related to texture, dehydration, pigmentation, redness, volume, wrinkles or skin sensitivity. A good clinician should consider each of these factors separately rather than assume they all have the same cause.

During consultation your medical history, current skincare regimen, previous procedures, allergies, prescribed medications and changes in your skin should all be taken into account. Remember that active irritations, recurring acne, pigmentations, allergic reactions to previous treatments, pregnancy or lactation can be important for you too.

Do not change anything in your skincare regimen or medications just because some random stranger on the internet told you to do it. Consult your clinician and find out what additional information they need. Follow their advice.

3. Why is this treatment appropriate for my concern?

"Because it treats everything" is not the answer. This is just a marketing slogan.

Aesthetic procedures can be used for solving different problems. For example, some procedures may help improve skin texture and tone, while others may be considered for expression lines, volume loss or areas of skin that feel less firm. It is essential to ask your clinician why a certain procedure is a good choice for you.

Ask:

• What problem is this procedure going to help me to solve?
• What results should I expect?
• What will this procedure not change?
• Are there other procedures that can help me with this problem?
• Why is this treatment a better choice than other options?

At the end of the consultation, you should be able to explain the answer on your own without using a dictionary. Keep clear of vague answers which contain phrases like "rejuvenation," "transformation" or "turning back time. A good recommendation should explain what it is intended to address, why that treatment has been suggested and what it cannot realistically achieve.

4. What does “natural looking” mean for me?

"Natural looking" is probably one of the most abused terms in aesthetics. You see it everywhere in medical aesthetics marketing along with beautifully lit photos.

However, "natural" is not universal.

For some people it means smoothing out a feature which became bothersome; for others it means becoming more refreshed after a hard year; for some it means staying the same after realizing what they can and cannot change.

Ask your clinician to explain the desired result instead of using scientific terms.

What area are we speaking about? What will change and what will stay? How will the procedure help to preserve your features?

Good practitioners should not hesitate to discuss restraint. It is not about changing your face to fit the season. It is about reasonable choices that keep you looking like you.

Also, this is a good time to request case studies, keeping in mind that the result of another person will not necessarily be yours. Your skin, your anatomy, medical history and goals are unique.

5. What will recovery look like in real life?

Even if the procedure requires "minimal downtime," it does not mean you will be able to go into work tomorrow looking radiant or look like a goddess in your best friend’s wedding pictures immediately after the procedure. Depending on the procedure, you may look or feel swollen, red, bruised or tender. Clinical and practical aspects of this procedure are equally important here.

Ask for a detailed, day-by-day description:

• How will I look and feel after the procedure?
• What should I expect in the course of several days after the treatment?
• Should I avoid social events, traveling, exercises, wearing makeup and sun exposure?
• What changes are expected and what should I report to the clinic?
• Whom should I contact in case of any concerns?

Good practitioners should not scare you. They should prepare you for what could happen.

Think of it like planning for bad weather. You may not need an umbrella, but it’s good to know where it is kept.

6. What should I do before and after treatment?

Appointments may take only one hour but preparation and aftercare are just as important.

You should receive specific instructions regarding the procedure you are considering in written form. These instructions should be clear and understandable.

This is the right time to share your skin care regimen, supplements, medications, previous procedures and events with your practitioner. It makes no sense to schedule a procedure which requires special conditions for recovery before the beach vacation, important work event or dinner when somebody will certainly take a photo.

The best aftercare plan should leave you feeling informed, supported and prepared for what comes next.

7. What is the full cost and commitment involved?

The price you hear first is not always the final one.

There are treatments which require multiple sessions, follow-up visits, maintenance and adjustment of the procedure if the concern evolved. What is suitable for one person may not be suitable for another. Most important answers are the one you get after the individual consultation.

Ask:

• How many sessions are recommended?
• What is the expected cost of the whole plan?
• Does the plan include follow-up appointments?
• Does it include maintenance?
• What will happen if the procedure turns out to be unsuitable for me after the consultation?
• Are there alternative treatments for a lower price?

This isn’t a bazaar, where you’re haggling over the price of fresh fruit, it’s your face. You need to make the most informed decision you can make.

Good clinics will not pressure you during the financial discussion, hide the follow-up costs in vague statements or make you feel ashamed for asking for the whole story. Clinics should respect your skin and budget.

Give yourself time to decide

A good consultation should not leave you feeling as though you have to commit before you have even left the room. Once you have asked your questions, give yourself space to think about the answers. Read the written information again, look at the proposed cost, check your diary and consider whether the timing genuinely works for you.

It can also help to write down the reason you wanted treatment in the first place. Was it a long-standing concern, or did it arrive after an hour of scrolling through carefully filtered photographs? There is no shame in changing your mind, delaying a decision or deciding that a treatment is not right for you at all.

The most useful plan is one you understand and feel comfortable with. You should not feel pushed by a discount, a limited appointment slot or the fear that everyone else has somehow solved their face before breakfast. A considered decision usually ages better than an impulsive one.

A consultation is more than a formality. It is your opportunity to ask questions, weigh your options and decide whether the treatment feels right for you.

Good medical aesthetic consultations should leave you feeling more confident and not confused. At the end of it, you should understand what is being considered, why it is suitable for you, what its limitations are, what recovery process may involve and what commitments this treatment may require.

More importantly, you should feel able to say no.

Perfect procedures conducted at the wrong time are still bad procedures. The same is true for procedures chosen based on a limited-time offer, recommendations from a friend or because the algorithm caught you at 3 am.

Ask questions. Write down answers. Think about it overnight.

The best aesthetic decisions are not made in a hurry. They are made with all the necessary information.