Hard sell. Botched treatment. Abysmal aftercare…read more
I originally booked into the clinic for a Botox consultation. The consultant immediately began to upsell me to Juvederm fillers. I told them I wouldn't do anything that day but made an appointment for the next week (thinking I could always cancel if I changed my mind). The consultant continued to pressurise me into having Botox and fillers that day for a reduced price. There was no discussion of what I expected from the cosmetic procedure or why I was having it done. Even as I walked out of the door, the consultant told me I could still change my mind and have the treatment right there and then.
I should have trusted my gut and not gone back. But, after thinking about it over the weekend, I decided that I wouldn't have the fillers but would just have the Botox as I had originally intended.
However, when I walked into the treatment room and told this to Dr Bobby - who was already poised with his needles at the ready - it was obvious he wasn't happy. He sat me down and proceeded to tell me how my forehead lines were unsuitable for Botox because of the way the muscles worked and that my laughter lines would get worse with Botox. In his 'professional' opinion, I should have fillers instead because I had lost volume and it would plump out my lines. In fact, he flat out refused to give me Botox, telling me fillers were my best option. Funnily enough, they were also the more expensive option. Odd that.
I admit, I felt pressured and Dr Bobby was very persuasive. Plus, I wasn't really being given a choice. Get fillers or leave with my wrinkles. In hindsight, I wish my wrinkles and I had got the hell out of there.
The treatment was very painful. I was given no instruction on aftercare or side effects. Just ushered out to pay as soon as possible.
Straightaway, I started to bruise quite badly. But I figured this was par for the course. More worrying though, there was a very visible ridge of filler down the left hand side of my face. I contacted the clinic expressing some concern but was told not to worry. When it still looked bad the next day I contacted them again and was offered an appointment with the practice manager.
Bearing in mind, I paid almost £900 for the treatment you might expect a sympathetic, concerned chat, with the practice eager to resolve the problem. NO. I was made to feel like I was a nuisance and over-reacting. The practice manager was patronising and, to be honest, verged on aggressive in his reaction to my concerns. It was completely unacceptable.
However, I am not easily intimidated so I was eventually permitted to speak to Dr Bobby. The first thing that Dr Bobby said to me was: 'If I had known you would be like this, I would never have treated you.' Like this?
I was stunned. It was bullying and very manipulative. This is not the way to treat clients (many of whom may be vulnerable about their looks in the first place).
Six weeks down the line, the ridge of filler looks just as bad - as if I have had a blow that has caused bad swelling. In fact, now the filler has settled, both sides of my face look unnatural and weirdly sculpted. Although Dr Bobby offered to dissolve the filler, I have no intention of ever letting him touch my face again.
Instead, I booked into a renowned clinic in London to get their advice.
There was no pressure. I filled in a very detailed questionnaire. The nurse I spoke to contradicted everything that Dr Bobby had said about Botox. They agreed there was a very noticeable ridge of filler - probably injected too close to the surface of the skin. They recommended giving it a further two weeks to settle as it was still tender and then we would work on resolving the issue and treating my - still present - wrinkles.
It was a totally different experience to Regent Street. And the real kick in the teeth, they are not much more expensive.
In summary, PLEASE do not visit Regent Street Clinic for any cosmetic treatment.
A reputable clinic will NEVER pressure you into a procedure, try to up-sell you or offer you a special price to have treatment immediately. And, if there are any problems, they will be happy to resolve them.
I am currently making an official complaint against this clinic.