What Should You Look for in an Aesthetic Doctor?
If you live in Türkiye and are considering Botox, fillers or skin treatments, start with the basics: the person treating you should be a licensed doctor, working in a licensed health clinic, using licensed products, and willing to take time for a proper consultation. These four points matter more than anything you see on social media.
In Türkiye, injectable treatments such as Botox and fillers are medical procedures. They should be done by a doctor, not in a beauty salon or at home. A good aesthetic doctor will examine you first, explain your options honestly, and tell you when a treatment isn’t right for you.
This guide is for English-speaking people living in Istanbul and elsewhere in Türkiye who want to find an aesthetic doctor they can trust.
Check the Doctor
Before booking, find out who will actually perform your treatment:
- Are they a medical doctor? Ask for their full name and qualifications. You can usually find a doctor’s profile on the clinic’s website or on medical directories.
- Is aesthetic medicine their focus? Experience in facial anatomy and injectable treatments matters for both results and safety.
- Will the same doctor do your consultation and treatment? Ideally, the doctor who plans your treatment also performs it and sees you at follow-up.
You can read about Dr. Sevgi Ekiyor’s background on our About page.
Check the Clinic and the Products
A safe treatment also depends on where it happens and what is used:
- A licensed health facility: treatments should take place in a clinic set up for medical procedures, with clean, sterile conditions.
- Licensed products: ask for the name of the product. It should come from a sealed, original package, and you can ask to see it.
- Emergency readiness: for fillers, the clinic should be able to act quickly if a rare complication occurs, including having hyaluronidase available to dissolve filler.
If a product’s name or origin can’t be shown to you, that’s a reason to pause.
What a Good Consultation Looks Like
The consultation is where you can tell a lot about a doctor. A good one usually includes:
1. Questions about your health: medication, allergies, previous treatments and any medical conditions. 2. An examination: your face is assessed as a whole, not just the area you came in for. 3. Honest options: more than one approach may be discussed, along with what each can and can’t achieve. 4. Clear aftercare: what to do and avoid in the first days, and when to come back. 5. No pressure: you should feel free to take time to decide.
Be cautious if you’re promised a specific result, pushed into extra treatments or told there are no risks at all.
Language, Aftercare and Follow-Up
As an expat, clear communication is part of safe treatment. Make sure you can discuss your concerns and understand the aftercare instructions in a language you’re comfortable with.
Follow-up matters too. Botox is usually checked around two weeks after treatment, and fillers after the swelling settles. Choose a clinic where you can easily return for these visits, ask questions after treatment and reach the doctor if anything unexpected happens. Our Facial Architecture approach, for example, plans treatments around the whole face with follow-up built in.
If you’ve had treatment elsewhere and something doesn’t look right, problems can often be assessed and corrected. See our page on botox and filler complications.
Questions to Ask at Your Consultation
It helps to go into your first appointment with a few questions ready. A good doctor will be happy to answer them:
- Who will perform my treatment, and what is their training?
- Which product will you use, and can I see the package?
- What result can I realistically expect, and when will I see it?
- How long will the result last, and when would I need a top-up?
- What are the common side effects, and what are the rare risks?
- What should I avoid after treatment, and for how long?
- When is my follow-up, and how can I reach you if I’m worried?
- Is there anything about my health that makes this treatment unsuitable?
Take notes, or ask for the aftercare advice in writing. If you leave the consultation feeling rushed or unsure, it’s fine to take time to think before booking treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a consultation before Botox or fillers?
Yes. A consultation lets the doctor check your health, examine your face and plan the right dose and areas. It’s also your chance to ask questions and decide whether you feel comfortable.
Can a beauty salon do Botox or fillers in Türkiye?
Botox and fillers are medical procedures and should be done by a doctor in a licensed health clinic, not in a beauty salon or at home.
How can I check which product is being used?
Ask the doctor for the product name before treatment. It should come from a sealed, original package, and a good clinic will be happy to show it to you.
What if I don't speak Turkish?
Choose a clinic where you can communicate comfortably. Understanding your options and aftercare clearly is part of a safe treatment, so don’t hesitate to ask for explanations in English.
How do I contact the clinic?
You can reach us through our contact page to ask questions or book a consultation.
