I wish I knew to go to a board-certified dermatologist, not a medspa, for my skin concerns when I was starting out.
The Medspa “Expert” and the Dermatologist’s Diagnosis
When I first developed cystic acne, I went to a trendy local medspa because they had a good Instagram page. The aesthetician sold me a package of expensive facials and products. My acne only got worse. Frustrated and broke, I finally booked an appointment with a real board-certified dermatologist. Within five minutes, she had diagnosed the underlying issue and prescribed me an affordable medication that cleared my skin in a month. I learned that for real medical concerns, you need a real doctor, not just a good marketer.
I wish I knew that “less is more” when it comes to filler when I was first considering it.
The “Overfilled” Look I Almost Got
The first time I considered getting filler for my jawline, I went to an injector who suggested using four full syringes. He promised a dramatic, chiseled look. It sounded tempting, but something felt off. I got a second opinion from a more experienced nurse. She said she would only use one syringe, explaining that the goal is a subtle enhancement, not a total transformation. She said, “The best injectable is undetectable.” I went with her, and the result was perfectly natural. I almost made a very puffy, very expensive mistake.
I wish I knew to ask a surgeon for their revision rate when I was doing consultations.
The Question That Revealed More Than a Before-and-After Photo
I was doing consultations for a rhinoplasty, and every surgeon showed me a beautiful gallery of their best results. They were all impressive. But a friend who was a nurse gave me a crucial piece of advice: “Ask them what their revision rate is.” When I asked the next surgeon, he got defensive and vague. The surgeon I ultimately chose was open and honest, explaining that while his rate was very low, revisions are a reality in any surgical practice. His transparency gave me more confidence than any perfect photo ever could.
I wish I knew that results from procedures look best when you already have a healthy lifestyle.
The Friend Who Tried to Outsource His Health to a Surgeon
I had two friends who both got liposuction. The first one was already fit and ate well; he just had a stubborn pocket of fat he couldn’t lose. His results were incredible. The second friend had a poor diet and never exercised; he thought the surgery would be a magic fix. He looked a bit better for a few months, but then the fat came back in other places. It was a stark reminder that procedures are an enhancement, not a substitute. They are the 10% on top of the 90% of work you do yourself.
I wish I knew that starting preventative Botox early was better than trying to fix deep-set wrinkles later.
The Wrinkle That Was Etched in Stone
I waited until I had a deep, permanent “11” line between my eyebrows before I finally tried Botox. The treatment helped, but the line was so etched into my skin that it was still visible even when my face was at rest. My dermatologist told me that if I had started a few years earlier with “baby Botox,” I could have prevented the wrinkle from ever becoming so deep-set. I learned that when it comes to wrinkles caused by muscle movement, prevention is far more effective and cheaper than trying to correct a problem that has become permanent.
I wish I knew to research the doctor, not just the procedure, when I was younger.
The Procedure I Wanted and the Doctor I Needed
I was convinced I needed a specific type of laser to treat my redness. I researched the laser machine for weeks and found a clinic that had it. The doctor there was happy to take my money and perform the treatment. The results were mediocre. A year later, I went to a top dermatologist for a second opinion. He used a completely different, older laser on me, explaining why it was better for my specific skin type. The results were amazing. I learned that you shouldn’t fall in love with a procedure; you should find a brilliant doctor and trust their expertise.
I wish I knew how important post-procedure care was for the final result when I first got a treatment.
The Aftercare That Determined the Outcome
My friend and I got the same chemical peel on the same day from the same aesthetician. I followed the post-procedure instructions to the letter: I avoided the sun like a vampire and used the gentle healing balm she recommended. My friend was more casual about it. He went for a walk outside the next day and used his regular moisturizer. A week later, my skin was glowing. His was red, irritated, and had patches of hyperpigmentation. We had the exact same treatment, but our results were completely different because of the aftercare.
I wish I knew that subtle enhancements are always better than drastic changes.
The Goal is to Look Like a Better Version of Yourself, Not a Different Person
I saw a guy from my high school who had gotten a lot of cosmetic work done. He had a new nose, a new chin, and new cheeks. He didn’t look like himself anymore; he looked like a generic, “plastic surgery” face. It was jarring. It taught me a valuable lesson. The goal of any good procedure shouldn’t be to drastically change your appearance, but to make small, subtle refinements that enhance your natural features. You want people to say, “You look great,” not “What did you do to your face?”
I wish I knew to save up for a top-tier surgeon instead of looking for a bargain when I was considering surgery.
The “Bargain” Surgery That Cost My Friend Double
When my friend decided to get a rhinoplasty, he went for the cheapest option he could find. He thought he was being savvy and saving money. The result was botched. He had to spend the next two years saving up again to go to a top-tier revision specialist to fix the first surgeon’s mistakes. The whole ordeal ended up costing him double the time, money, and emotional distress. I learned that when it comes to your face, you absolutely cannot bargain hunt. You pay for experience.
I wish I knew about the power of medical-grade treatments like microneedling for acne scars when I was just using creams.
The Scars That a Cream Couldn’t Touch
I had pitted acne scars on my cheeks from my teenage years. I spent hundreds of dollars on “scar-fading” creams and Vitamin C serums. They helped with the discoloration a little, but they did absolutely nothing for the actual indented texture of the scars. I felt hopeless. It wasn’t until I finally saw a dermatologist that I learned about treatments like microneedling, which create a controlled injury to force the skin to build new, healthy collagen from within. It was the only thing that actually started to fill in the scars.