Frequently potential patients text or call or email to ask if they can “get a deal” or if they can get “price matching like at the laser clinic.”

Chain clinics have really taken off of late, with prices for cosmetic procedures plummeting as a result of the large numbers of clinics’ bulk buying power, together with large number of staff in multiple locations, usually nurse injectors.

I am a doctor with 16 years’ experience- I’ve spent years studying anatomy, including of the human face; I understand nerves and muscles and blood vessels. I spent my years from 2002-2011 performing a variety of surgeries in hospitals.

I understand complications of “just” cosmetic injections, some simple, such as drooping eyelids and others catastrophic such as blindness. I also know how to recognise and correct some procedures if a complication occurs. Furthermore, unlike many of these clinics, I carry medication at every clinic in the rare event of a life threatening side effect such as anaphylaxis until an ambulance arrives.

So for me, even though many other health professionals with varying levels of training can perform these procedures, mostly under medical supervision, it means that like any other medical consultation and procedure, giving patients time, taking a thorough history, not rushing and not focusing on the sale but rather on good care is the first part of my “duty of care”.

It means talking patients through realistic expectations, financial costs (including refusing their request if I think it’ll harm them or their budget won’t give them a good enough result) and potential complications that may occur and how I would deal with them if so.

All this takes time, rapport and trust.

As such, I don’t offer the cheaper prices that chain clinics may and I support patients’ choices to go to those, as is their right.

Want to know more? Get in touch, make an appointment and let’s set up a treatment plan for you with Dr Joshi.