Obviously you don’t want to put the fate of your appearance into the hands of someone who is inexperienced, unskilled, or unqualified. Make it a point to find answers that satisfy you for the following questions:

1) Is there an M.D. certified dermatologist on site? If so, how many days out of the week is he or she actually there?

2) Will the doctor be on site while the actual lasers are in operation?

3) How long have they been in business? To play it safe, you should try to find a location that has been in business for a minimum of five years.

4) How did you hear about the dermatologist? Do they advertise on TV/radio/print? Beware of offices that spend money on high-visibility ads. These companies likely rely on new customers because they can’t retain previous customers. Small, standard ads are alright.

5) What sort of training/education does the person who will be conducting the laser treatment have? Ideally, the person operating the laser should have a formal education from a medical background.

6) Avoid dermatologists that pressure you into buying products or services during your initial consultation. Do you feel pressured at all during the first meeting?

7) Many dermatologists commonly show new patients before and after pictures of previous patients. Ask if you can reasonably expect to see the same results.

Depending on the required procedure, electing to have cosmetic surgery or procedures to correct skin conditions can be a tough and sometimes scary decision. Always use your best judgment, and don’t be afraid to shop around.

If you’d like more info on any given dermatologist, it’s always a good idea to do a quick Google search to see if you can find any reviews from past patients.