Who should inject dermal fillers?

The person holding the syringe matters as much as the filler in it. For readers in Mamaroneck, Larchmont and the rest of Westchester, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is direct about who to look for.

The direct answer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises: "Do work with a licensed health care provider who has experience in the fields of dermatology or plastic surgery and is trained to inject dermal fillers."

That is three things in one sentence: licensed, experienced in dermatology or plastic surgery, and trained to inject dermal fillers.

Related guidance

That advice comes from a consumer update on dermal filler dos and don'ts for wrinkles, lips and more from the agency. Separate guidance covers how to stay safe when getting botulinum toxin injections. A further warning about illegal use of injectable silicone for body contouring came from the same agency.

Questions to ask before you book

Ask who will inject you, what their license is, and how much experience they have with the product you want. Ask them to write down the product name and the date.

What to leave alone

Do not let price or convenience decide this. If the answers to those questions are vague, do not book. Any concern after treatment goes to the clinic that treated you, by phone.

The follow-up people ask

Readers often ask next about side effects. That is worth a separate conversation before treatment.