Your first aesthetics consultation in Margate

Start with your priorities

A first consultation is a chance to explain what you would like to enhance and what you would like to keep. You do not need to arrive knowing a product name or choosing a treatment quantity. Describe the feature or skin concern in your own words.

Before you come, jot down a few notes: what bothers you, how long it has bothered you and what a worthwhile change would look like to you. Mention your budget and any important dates, such as a wedding, holiday or work event. It is also helpful to say what you would not want, for example a result that looks obviously “done”.

What the consultation covers

At SM Aesthetics Clinic, the aesthetics consultation is for dermal fillers, skin boosters, polynucleotides, microneedling and facials. Sian talks through your goals, your skin and your options, and agrees a plan with you if treatment is appropriate. There is a £10 booking fee, which is deducted from your treatment cost.

Semi-permanent makeup has its own consultation and patch test, carried out at least 48 hours before treatment. Treatments that need a prescription only proceed after a one-to-one assessment with a registered prescriber, and never on the same day as that first assessment. The consultations page explains which appointment you need.

Treatments are for clients aged 18 or over, and non-invasive facials are available from age 16. Please bring ID.

Bring your health and treatment history

Bring a list of medicines, supplements, allergies and relevant conditions. Explain previous treatments, including the area, date and product if you know it. Tell Sian about pregnancy, breastfeeding, sensitive skin or previous reactions.

Photographs of how you looked before earlier treatments, or details from another clinic, can help. If you are unsure whether something is relevant, mention it anyway. Do not stop prescribed medication to prepare for an appointment without advice from your prescriber.

The clinic asks you to complete your consent form at least 24 hours before your appointment, so allow time to read it properly.

Questions to ask at your consultation

The NHS suggests asking the person who will treat you about their experience, training, complications, aftercare and costs before you decide. Useful questions include:

• What is the proposed treatment and why does it fit my concern?
• Which exact product would be used, and can I see information about it?
• What can this treatment not achieve?
• What training do you have for this treatment and this area?
• What are the common side effects, and what are the rare but serious risks?
• What recovery should I plan for, and when will the result be reviewed?
• What is the full cost, including any course, top-up or follow-up?
• Who do I contact if I have a concern afterwards?
• What are the alternatives, including having no treatment?

These questions help you make a decision rather than simply compare advertised prices.

Understand the risks and realistic results

All cosmetic procedures carry some risk, whether surgical or non-surgical. Injectable treatments can cause bruising, swelling, tenderness and, less commonly, infection or a reaction to the product. With dermal fillers, accidental injection into a blood vessel is rare but serious. Ask how the practitioner would recognise and manage a complication.

Results vary from person to person, and no treatment can guarantee a particular outcome. A good consultation should make clear what is realistic for you, how long any change might last and what maintenance could involve.

Check who will be treating you

In England, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates cosmetic surgery but not every cosmetic treatment. Non-surgical injectables such as dermal fillers are outside its scope. The government has announced plans for a licensing scheme for non-surgical cosmetic procedures, but at the time of writing it is not yet in force.

That makes your own questions important. Ask about training for the specific treatment, insurance and how the premises are kept hygienic. Sian holds medical professional liability and public liability insurance, each with a limit of £1,000,000, and the business is registered with Thanet District Council. You can read more on our safety and care page and about Sian.

Some practitioners also join voluntary registers, such as those run by the JCCP or Save Face. Membership is not compulsory, so it is reasonable to ask a practitioner which, if any, they belong to.

Take time to decide

A consultation can end with a plan, a recommendation to wait or no treatment. A consultation does not commit you to treatment, and there is no pressure to go ahead. The NHS advises giving yourself time to reflect after a consultation, and you can change your mind.

You can ask for written information and consider it at home. If you do not understand part of the plan, ask again. The aim is an informed choice that feels right for you.

Signs to slow down

Be cautious if you feel hurried. Time-limited offers, being asked to pay before any consultation or a plan made without discussing your health are all reasons to pause. The NHS also advises caution about treatment at parties or events involving alcohol.

If a concern may be medical, such as a new rash, a changing mole or unexplained swelling, seek medical assessment first. An aesthetic treatment is not a substitute for diagnosis.

Plan your visit

SM Aesthetics Clinic is at Unit 112, The Hub, Westwood Business Park, Strasbourg Street, Margate, Kent CT9 4JJ. The clinic is on the ground floor, with parking and disabled bays at The Hub. Appointments are by arrangement, so check availability and allow time to discuss your questions.

If you are travelling from elsewhere in Thanet or East Kent, our visit-planning page may help. You can also read what to expect at your first visit and our guide to choosing an aesthetic treatment in Kent.