Questions that make a consultation more useful

Your consultation question list

Print it, save it to your phone, or copy it into a note.

• What are your qualifications, and who else might treat me?
• Where did you train for this procedure?
• Which product or device do you use?
• What should I expect over a full series?
• How should I care for the area afterward?
• What side effects are common, and which are rare?
• How do you handle problems if they come up?
• What will I pay in total, and is it in writing?

What a provider will want to know

Expect questions about your health, so have the answers ready:

• Medical conditions and recent illnesses.
• Prescription medications, supplements and topical products.
• Allergies and sensitivities.
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• Previous cosmetic treatments.

Then add your own list of questions, such as who will perform the treatment and what the total cost will be. A licensed provider uses this information to decide what is suitable for you.

Red flags worth noticing

1. You are told a special offer ends today.
2. No one asks about your health history.
3. Treatment is offered before any consultation.
4. You cannot get a clear answer about who will perform it or what license they hold.
5. The cost changes or will not be put in writing.

Any one of these is a good reason to slow down. State boards in California let you look up a license online.