After more than 12 years working in medical aesthetics, one of the biggest things I’ve learned is that a great treatment doesn’t start in the treatment room. It starts with the consultation.

Clients often come in already knowing what treatment they think they want. They may have researched it online, seen before and after photos on social media or had a friend recommend something that worked well for them.

But choosing the right treatment involves much more than simply booking what’s popular.

Some of the most important work we do as aesthetic professionals happens before we ever perform the treatment.

A Client Doesn't Always Need What They Ask For

It’s very common for someone to come into a consultation requesting a specific treatment.

Sometimes it is a great option for them. Other times, after looking at their skin and understanding what they’re hoping to improve, I may recommend something completely different.

And that’s okay.

Part of being a knowledgeable provider is being able to look beyond the treatment someone is asking for and focus on the result they actually want.

Our job isn’t simply to perform treatments. It’s to help clients make educated decisions about their skin.

Experience Changes the Way You Look at Skin

One thing I’ve really noticed throughout my career is how much your perspective changes with experience.

Early in your career, it can be easy to focus heavily on individual treatments and devices. As you gain experience, you start looking at the bigger picture.

Two clients can walk through the door with what sounds like the exact same concern and need completely different approaches.

That’s why I believe a good consultation is so important. It gives you the opportunity to understand the person sitting in front of you before deciding what comes next.

The Industry Has Changed

Medical aesthetics has changed dramatically throughout my career.

There are constantly new devices, treatments, products and trends entering the industry. Social media has also changed the way clients learn about treatments and what they expect when they walk into a clinic.

I think that makes a strong consultation even more important.

Clients have access to more information than ever, but more information doesn’t always make choosing the right treatment easier.

That’s where an educated and experienced provider becomes incredibly valuable.

The Part of Aesthetics We Don't Talk About Enough

We spend a lot of time in this industry learning how to perform treatments.

And of course, technical education is incredibly important.

But being great at aesthetics involves more than knowing how to operate a device or perform a procedure.

It’s also about judgment, communication, experience and knowing when a treatment actually makes sense for the person sitting in front of you.

After more than 12 years in this industry, I believe the consultation is one of the most important parts of what we do.

Because before you can deliver a great treatment, you need to know that you’re delivering the right treatment.

Want to Strengthen Your Consultations?

After years of performing consultations and educating students in medical aesthetics, I’ve seen how much this part of the client experience can impact confidence, trust, retention and ultimately the growth of your business.

That’s exactly why I created The Consultation Blueprint, an online course for aesthetic professionals who want to become more confident in their consultations and recommendations while creating a stronger client experience.

If you work in aesthetics and want to take your consultations to the next level, you can learn more about The Consultation Blueprint here.

[LINK TO THE CONSULTATION BLUEPRINT]