What are cosmetic cowboys?
Injectables are this year’s trendiest go-to for that TikTok perfect pout. If it’s a quick fix you’re looking for, the cheap and cheerful option might seem appealing, but what’s the reality of behind cosmetic cowboys?
Sighting a pop-up clinic on your high street might’ve become a regular occurrence. But, that doesn’t mean they should be there. It’s easier to spot cosmetic cowboys than you might think. Generating herds of unsuspecting clientele by lassoing and reigning them in with cleanly-designed, clinical-looking A-boards and discounts for days.
Promises of the perfect pout and clever before and after ‘proof pics’ bring these imposters gravitas and – even worse – profit. Instead of holding qualifications, they saddle the expertise of readily trained doctors who perform safer and far more professional treatments. Taking full advantage of the supply and demand generated from online trends, these cowboys are riding a wave, not a horse.
What are lip fillers?
While a lot of people think that Anti-Wrinkle Injections and dermal fillers are the same thing, they’re totally different. Anti-Wrinkle Injections targets freezes and relaxes the muscles that cause wrinkles. Lines caused by smiling like crows feet or nasolabial lines can be lessened or even undone with Anti-Wrinkle Injections.
On the other hand, dermal fillers will plump and firm areas that sag or ‘fill’ in certain lines or creases. They contain hyaluronic acid which can be found naturally in our bodies already. This makes the substance super safe in small doses and helps our body to feel less like there’s any foreign material being put into it.
What do cosmetic cowboys do?
Often, they’re underqualified or completely untrained. A study showed that up to 13% of us have undergone some sort of aesthetic treatment involving injectables without medical supervision or with any cosmetic professional present.
Cosmetic cowboys will perform treatments using lip fillers or chemical peels without proof that they should be anywhere near you with a needle. This has the potential to be extremely dangerous and can end with digressional and defective results.
How to spot a cosmetic cowboy
Spotting a cosmetic cowboy is easier than you might think. Sometimes, it’s obvious and detecting them merely requires a little common sense. Other times, they might have a social media page with real followers making it a little harder to see through them.
Avoid cash upfront
If you’re dealing with a legitimate, professional clinic, you’ll never be forced to pay only in cash only and it’s extremely rare to have to pay for treatment before it’s even begun.
Avoid cheap treatments
The bottom line is, well done cosmetic treatments cost money. If something looks too good to be true, it probably is.
Book through a proper website
Anyone can set up a good looking Insta page. If you see treatments on Instagram that say to DM them to book – do not DM them. If there’s no proper website, you’re probably looking at a cowboy.
Choosing Professional
You should know exactly what you want from your treatment before approaching a clinic. The best results look natural so do your research and get a good idea of what your goals are.
If you’re struggling to get an idea of what you want, Define Clinic can offer you a one-to-one consultation with world-renowned cosmetic surgeon Benji Dhillon to provide you with a comprehensive treatment plan for the results you’re dreaming of.