Let’s talk about how important photography can be. Now, no, I’m not talking about the artistic shots I post on my Instagram, @timesmikethese (shameless self-promotion, I know) but the medical photos we take at the clinic. Every time I do cosmetic botox injections or laser skin treatments at our dermatology clinic in Calgary, I do a series of photos so we can look back on the progress we have made.
Why We Take Before and After Photos
To tell you the truth, I’ve been trying to make a joke about it out of Lady Gaga lyrics for years. Something about how we need the Paparazzi before we Poke-her Face… but I haven’t quite gotten the wording right yet.
In a culture where we take selfies regularly, it catches me off guard how many people will avoid taking these photos. These images are not going to be put on billboards or advertisements without your permission but will instead be used at follow-ups to assess your treatment, make adjustments, and plan for future sessions.
It’s a Confidence Booster
Photos can be a huge confidence booster. It can be amazing how the brain adjusts, looking in the mirror day to day, to see each new day as normal and forget what we looked like the day before. Seeing proper before shots and comparing them to photos taken 2 to 3 months after your appointment lets you see the differences side by side.
These photos are not for me to highlight how amazing my work is, trust me, my nurses know I don’t need a confidence lift. They’re taken so that you can see the progress we made together and not let your brain trick you into forgetting what we’ve done and what we can do. You should feel good after your treatments and using before and after’s helps cement those feelings.
It Allows Us to Adjust for Success
Secondly, we should always be monitoring closely for any tweaks and adjustments you might need. I tell all my cosmetic patients to follow up, typically at 2 weeks, even if they are thrilled with the results. Photos can help with this. Comparing movements and facial structures before treatment with those taken after can be vital in situations where a touch-up is needed. I often joke that an orangutang in a white coat can do botox, but they can’t get it perfect without understanding the art and science of it, and information like photos is key to this.
It Helps Us Create Future Treatment Plans
Finally, photos help make progress in treatments moving forward. We can look at them together, see what is going as planned and make plans for what we should approach differently. Sure, I have a professional opinion backed by experience, but what you see in the before and after photos is just as important with how we move forward. Many people tend to focus on how many units or vials we’ve done, but the information provided by photos is so far more important when measuring progress. So, next time one of my over-worked but still peppy nurses takes you to the photo room, try not to roll your eyes or ask to skip that step. Think of it as important as the needles themselves.
What Are You Waiting For?
If you’re curious to learn more or are looking for a dermatologist in Calgary, please do not hesitate to reach out. We’re on the Edge of Glory, Telephone photos aren’t enough, and even if you’re Born This Way, we can work to get whatever results you want! 5 Gaga songs in one blog, show me someone else who can pull that off!