Ask a licensed provider about injectables

Injectables, in general terms

An injectable is a product placed into or under the skin with a needle or cannula. In a med spa, that usually means wrinkle relaxers or dermal fillers. Products, doses and techniques differ, and so do the areas a provider will consider.

Because these are injected, rules are stricter than for a facial. Injectables are given by licensed providers where state law allows, and Washington sets who may inject and what supervision applies. A provider will also need your health history and a list of your medicines before anything is decided.

If you are curious but unsure, a consultation request is a low-pressure way to ask.

Blood thinners, supplements and bruising

Medicines come up early in any injectables consultation. Blood thinners, aspirin and some supplements such as fish oil, vitamin E and ginkgo can make bruising more likely, so a provider will want to know about them. Some antibiotics and other medicines can matter too.

Bring a full list, including things you buy without a prescription. Do not stop a prescribed medicine to prepare for an injectable unless the person who prescribed it agrees. The licensed provider weighs your list with your health history and decides what is suitable, or whether to wait.

Getting ready for an injectables consultation

Before an injectables consultation, take ten minutes to write a few notes:

• the area or areas you want to ask about
• a list of medicines and supplements, including aspirin, fish oil and vitamin E
• allergies, including to numbing creams
• any past injectables, with dates and where you had them
• whether you are pregnant, planning to be, or breastfeeding
• events in the coming weeks, since bruising can show

Bring the notes with photo ID and your questions. A licensed provider uses them to decide what is suitable.

Questions about injectables

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