Consultation & Aftercare
By Elise Bernard, Registered Nurse Prescriber
31/07/2026
5 min read

Key takeaways
- Pay your deposit to secure your appointment. - Complete your medical forms before arriving. - If possible, attend with minimal or no makeup. - Let me know about any changes to your health or medications. - Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before treatment where possible. - Never stop prescribed medication unless advised by the clinician who prescribed it. - Come with questions—consultations are encouraged.
Secure your appointment
Your appointment is only confirmed once the required deposit has been paid.
Appointments are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. If more than one person requests the same appointment time, the slot will be secured for the first person to complete their booking and pay the deposit.
If you have any questions before booking, you’re always welcome to get in touch.
Complete your medical forms before your appointment
If you’ve received medical history or consent forms before your appointment, please complete them in advance.
This allows me to review your medical history properly and gives us more time to focus on your consultation and treatment.
If anything has changed since completing the forms, simply let me know when you arrive.
Wear as little makeup as possible
If possible, please arrive with minimal or no makeup on the area being treated.
Before any injectable treatment, the skin needs to be thoroughly cleansed to reduce the risk of infection. Heavy makeup takes longer to remove, which means less time can be spent on your consultation and treatment.
If you’re coming straight from work or another commitment, don’t worry—you can absolutely attend wearing makeup. We’ll remove it before treatment.
However, if you have the option of arriving with clean skin, it will help your appointment run more smoothly.
Let me know about any illnesses or infections
Please contact me before your appointment if you:
Feel unwell
Have a cold, flu or fever
Have a skin infection
Have an active cold sore
Have recently started antibiotics
Have recently had another cosmetic procedure elsewhere
Sometimes it’s safer to postpone treatment until you’ve fully recovered.
Tell me about any medications or supplements
Some medications and supplements can increase the likelihood of bruising.
These include, for example:
Aspirin (unless prescribed)
Ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory medicines
Fish oil or Omega-3 supplements
Vitamin E
Ginkgo biloba
Garlic supplements
Never stop prescribed medication unless you’ve been advised to do so by the healthcare professional who prescribed it.
If you’re unsure whether a medication or supplement is relevant, simply ask before your appointment.
Avoid alcohol before treatment
If possible, avoid drinking alcohol for 24 hours before your appointment.
Alcohol can increase the likelihood of bruising after injectable treatments.
If you’ve had a drink the evening before, don’t panic—it doesn’t necessarily mean your treatment can’t go ahead—but avoiding alcohol where possible is sensible.
Eat and drink normally
There’s no need to fast before your appointment.
Having something to eat and staying well hydrated can help you feel more comfortable during treatment and reduce the chance of feeling light-headed.
Wear comfortable clothing
If you’re having treatment to the neck, jawline or décolletage, wearing clothing that allows easy access to these areas can make your appointment more comfortable.
Bring your skincare routine if you’d like advice
If your main concern is improving your skin, it can be helpful to know what products you’re currently using.
If you’re unsure of the names, don’t worry—you can simply bring the products with you or take a few photos on your phone.
This often makes it easier to discuss your routine and avoid recommending products you already own.
Allow enough time
Although many treatments themselves take only 15 to 30 minutes, your appointment also includes consultation, assessment, clinical photography (where appropriate), treatment planning and answering any questions you may have.
Try not to book another appointment immediately afterwards, so you don’t feel rushed.
Bring your questions
You don’t need to know exactly which treatment you want before booking.
In fact, many patients book because they’re unsure.
Your consultation is an opportunity to ask questions, discuss your concerns and understand your options before making any decisions.
There is never any obligation to proceed with treatment if you decide it isn’t right for you.
What about aftercare?
Every treatment has slightly different aftercare advice.
You’ll receive personalised instructions before you leave the clinic, and you’re always welcome to contact me afterwards if you have any questions or concerns.
My approach
Preparing for your appointment doesn’t need to be complicated.
My priority is making sure your treatment is safe, appropriate and tailored to you.
If something isn’t quite right on the day—whether that’s an illness, an infection or simply a reason to wait—we’ll discuss it together.
Sometimes the safest decision is to postpone treatment, and that’s perfectly okay.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I wear makeup to my appointment?
Yes. If you’re coming from work or another commitment, that’s absolutely fine. However, if possible, it’s best to arrive with little or no makeup on the area being treated, as the skin needs to be thoroughly cleansed before treatment.
Should I stop taking my medication before treatment?
Not unless you’ve been advised to do so by the healthcare professional who prescribed it.
If you’re unsure, ask before your appointment.
Can I have treatment if I have a cold sore?
Usually not around the affected area. Please let me know beforehand so we can advise whether your appointment should be postponed.
What if I’m running late?
Please contact the clinic as soon as possible. We’ll always do our best to accommodate you, but depending on the day’s schedule, we may need to rearrange your appointment.
Do I have to know which treatment I want?
No.
Many patients book because they’re unsure what treatment—if any—is most appropriate
We’ll discuss your concerns first and decide together whether treatment is the right option for you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Elise Bernard
Registered Nurse Prescriber
French Care London focuses on evidence-based aesthetic medicine, natural-looking results and honest patient education, helping patients make calm, informed decisions about treatment.

Consultation & Aftercare
How to prepare for your aesthetic appointment
Read article

Microneedling
Medical microneedling explained: how it works, what it can improve and what to realistically expect
Read article

anti-wrinkles injections
Thinking about anti-wrinkle injections? Here’s what I tell every first-time patient.
Read article
BEGIN WITH A CONSULTATION
If you’d like personalised advice rather than searching online, book a consultation and we’ll discuss the most appropriate options for you.
