Injector Red Flags & the post-treatment products I swear by

If you’re new to the world of injectables, first of all — welcome, and second of all — we need to talk. Because whilst there are incredibly talented, medically trained injectors out there doing phenomenal work, there are also a lot of people with a needle and a dream who have absolutely no business being anywhere near your face. The industry is largely unregulated in the UK, and it can be genuinely hard to know who to trust, especially when everyone’s grid looks polished, and the before-and-afters are convincing.

I’ve been in this space for a long time, and I want to give you the no-gatekeeping version of what to look out for. I actually did a video on this recently (see below), but I wanted to write it all out properly so you can save it and come back to it.

Here are the red flags. Take notes.

Already booked and want to know how to recover well? Scroll to the bottom for my go-to post-treatment product recommendations.

1. They don’t look the way you want to look.
   I know, I know, sounds controversial. But if you don’t like the way your injector looks, don’t go to them. Simple as that. Injectors inevitably download their own aesthetic onto their patients, consciously or not. If their look isn’t your look, their needle isn’t your needle.

2. They’re not actually listening to you.
   This might sound obvious, but if something feels off in the consultation, like they’ve already decided what they’re doing before you’ve finished speaking, trust that feeling and run. That said, I want to be clear: a good injector should also be willing to say no to you. You want someone with clinical judgment, not a yes-man who’ll do whatever you ask regardless of whether it’s right for your face. Those are two very different things.

3. They’re a jack of all trades.
   When your injector also does your lashes, your brows, and your gel nails — baby, the two don’t go together. Focus and expertise matter. You want someone whose entire world is injectables, not someone who pivoted from beauty therapist to aesthetic practitioner last Tuesday.

4. They are not medically trained.
   This is the one I will stand on forever. If your injector is not a doctor, dentist, nurse, or other qualified medical professional, what are you doing? I mean that with love, but I mean it firmly. If you see “master injector” or “aesthetic injector” in someone’s bio with no medical credentials behind it, that is code for they are not a medic. I would only send my worst enemy to a non-medic injector. Please protect yourself.

5. Their before and afters look face-gymed.
   You know the ones. The afters look so worked on, so pulled, so done — only God knows what you’re actually going to look like walking out of that room. Before and afters should look like a refreshed, better version of the same person. Not a different person entirely.

6. All their patients look the same. This is a big one. When you scroll their page and every single face starts to blur into one — same lips, same cheeks, same overall vibe regardless of the person’s natural features — that is copy-paste injecting and it is a red flag. A skilled injector works with your face, not against it. Your results should look like you, just elevated.

7. They pointed out things you didn’t ask about.
   This one is subtle but pay attention to it. If you came in to talk about your lips and they spend the consultation listing everything else they think is wrong with your face unprompted — that’s not clinical expertise, that’s upselling at best and rudeness at worst. A good injector addresses what you came for. Full stop.

8. The consultation was basically non-existent.
   Hearing about how wonderful the treatment is does not count as a consultation. A real consultation covers the risks, the pros, the cons, what the plan is, and critically, what happens if something goes wrong. If none of that came up before they picked up a needle, that is a serious problem.

Okay, so you’ve found your injector, you’ve done your research, you’ve had your treatment, now what? Post-treatment recovery is something I feel strongly about and honestly don’t think gets talked about enough. 3 weeks ago, I had a chemical peel and some Rejuran injections to my face, and I was very intentional about what I used afterwards, and the difference it made to my recovery was real. Here’s exactly what I reach for and recommend.

Current Body LED Face Mask. Red LED light is something I became even more obsessed with after spending time in Korea, where they use it religiously for post-procedure recovery. I was under an LED device for a full hour after one of my treatments there. Red light helps to reduce inflammation, accelerate healing, and support the skin’s recovery process — it’s a non-negotiable for me after injectables or any energy-based treatment.

Current Body LED Body Device. And if you’re getting treatments anywhere below the face — neck, décolletage, body — this one is brilliant. It’s flexible enough to mould to wherever you need it, and it also comes with a stand so you can just sit in front of it hands-free. Really versatile.

Arnica Cream + Tablets. Arnica is a classic for a reason. It helps with bruising and swelling post-treatment, both topically and taken orally. I’d recommend starting the tablets a couple of days before your appointment if you can, and using the cream on any areas that bruise afterwards.

Pure Encapsulations Bromelain Supplement. Another one to help keep inflammation in check. Bromelain is a natural enzyme derived from pineapple and is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties — it’s a great addition to your post-treatment supplement routine.

CeraVe Advanced Repair Ointment. If your skin is irritated, tight, or sensitised post-treatment, this ointment is your best friend. It creates a protective barrier over the skin while supporting repair — no fragrance, no fuss, just healing.

Aestura Atobarrier 365 Cream. If you want a simple, non-irritating moisturiser for post-treatment recovery — especially if you’re getting facial treatments — this is the one I’d point you to. It’s focused on barrier strengthening and hydration without anything that’s going to aggravate compromised skin.

Rejuran Sheet Mask. This is the one I kept coming back to after my chemical peel and Rejuran injections — I used it every single day during recovery and it genuinely made a difference to how quickly my skin settled. Available on Olive Young. A Korean beauty staple and very much a post-treatment hero in my rotation.

Shop all products here!

The bottom line is this: proceed with caution, do your research, and never let a good Instagram grid be the only reason you book. Your face deserves better than that.

Lots of love 🤍

Dear Doctor is a reader-supported publication. If you found this useful, share it with a friend who’s been thinking about getting treatments — it might just save their face.

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