5 Questions to Ask Before Starting Any Aesthetic or Wellness Treatment in Ann Arbor

Key takeaways

• Before any aesthetic or wellness treatment, ask about credentials, product sourcing, realistic results, safety plans, and follow-up care.
• Board certification and treatment-specific training separate trained clinicians from weekend-course providers.
• Products should come from the manufacturer or authorized distributors; compounded medications should come from accredited pharmacies.
• Promises of "guaranteed" or "permanent" results are a red flag; honest providers give specific ranges and timelines.
• Follow-up visits and lab monitoring are part of the treatment, not an add-on.

Question 1: What Are Your Provider's Credentials and Training?

This is the single most important question you can ask, and it is the one patients most often skip. The aesthetic and wellness space has a wide range of providers. At one end are board-certified nurse practitioners and other advanced-practice clinicians. At the other are providers with minimal training who may have taken a weekend certification course. The difference in results, safety, and patient experience is substantial.

Here is what to look for:

• Board certification: Your provider should hold active board certification relevant to the services they offer. This shows they have met strict educational, clinical, and exam standards.
• Advanced training: Beyond board certification, ask about specialized training in the specific treatments you are considering. Aesthetic injection, peptide therapy, hormone management, and regenerative medicine (treatments that help the body repair its own tissue) each require distinct skills.
• Ongoing education: Medicine changes fast. A provider committed to staying current attends conferences, keeps up continuing education, and follows the latest research.

At Arbour Longevity, Gandhi Bhattarai is triple board certified: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC), Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC), and Anti-Aging and Functional Medicine. This rare combination brings clinical depth for complex health care and an understanding of the psychological side of wellness and aesthetics. She is personally involved in every patient's care plan and performs all advanced treatments herself.

Question 2: How Do You Ensure Product Safety and Sourcing?

Not all products are created equal, and in the aesthetic industry, sourcing matters enormously. Counterfeit Botox, adulterated fillers, and improperly compounded peptides have made headlines for causing serious patient harm. This is not a theoretical risk. It is a documented public health concern.

Ask your provider:

• Where do you source your products? Reputable clinics buy directly from the manufacturer or authorized distributors. Botox should come from Allergan, Dysport from Galderma, and so on.
• Are your injectables FDA-cleared? For dermal fillers and neuromodulators (injectables like Botox that relax expression muscles), FDA clearance means the product has met safety and effectiveness standards. Be cautious of providers using off-brand or imported products that have not been through U.S. regulatory review.
• How are compounded medications handled? Compounded means custom-mixed by a pharmacy rather than a standard factory product. For peptide therapy and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), the pharmacy should be accredited (look for PCAB accreditation or state board licensing) and follow strict quality controls. Compounded peptides and hormones are not individually FDA-approved.

High-frequency ultrasound is now recommended as a first-line tool for identifying filler type, location, and complications. That is the conclusion of a 2026 review of cosmetic filler complications (Khorasanizadeh et al.; DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2025.110708). It underscores the value of working with providers who use authentic, traceable products and have the diagnostic tools to keep you safe.

At Arbour Longevity, every product we use is sourced from authorized distributors or accredited compounding pharmacies. We keep full chain-of-custody records and never compromise on product integrity.

Want these questions answered in person?
Bring them to a $35 first visit in Ann Arbor. You will get straight answers about credentials, safety and cost before anything is booked.
Book your $35 first visit Call (734) 436-3357

Question 3: What Should I Realistically Expect from This Treatment?

Managing expectations is a hallmark of an ethical, patient-centered practice. A provider who promises miraculous results, or uses words like "guaranteed" or "permanent," should raise red flags. The best outcomes come from honest conversations about what a treatment can and cannot do.

Here is what a good answer sounds like:

• Specific, measurable outcomes: "You can expect about a 50-70% improvement in those nasolabial folds (smile lines) with two syringes of filler" is more helpful than "You will look ten years younger."
• Timeline clarity: How long until you see results? How long do results last? When will you need a touch-up or follow-up?
• Honest limitations: A good provider will tell you when a different treatment might serve you better. They will also say when your expectations may not be achievable with the approach you are considering.
• Before-and-after context: Ask to see before-and-after photos of actual patients (not stock images) treated by your provider.

At Arbour Longevity, every consultation includes a detailed discussion of expected outcomes, realistic timelines, and alternative approaches. Whether you are exploring Botox and fillers, peptide therapy, or medical weight loss, transparency is the foundation of our patient relationships.

Question 4: What Safety Protocols and Emergency Plans Are in Place?

Every medical procedure carries some risk. What separates an excellent clinic from an average one is not the absence of risk. It is strict safety protocols and emergency preparedness.

Ask about:

• Emergency protocols: For injectable treatments, vascular occlusion (when filler blocks a blood vessel) is a rare but serious complication. Your provider should have hyaluronidase (the enzyme that dissolves filler) immediately available and be trained in emergency management.
• Complication management: What happens if you have a bad reaction? Does your provider have a clear process for after-hours concerns?
• Sterile technique: Treatment rooms should meet medical-grade cleanliness standards. Products should be opened in front of you. Single-use needles and cannulas should be standard.
• Informed consent: You should get a thorough informed consent process covering risks, benefits, alternatives, and recovery expectations before any treatment.

Treatment quality and safety issues are the main drivers of patient dissatisfaction after aesthetic procedures, accounting for the vast majority of clinical complaints. That finding comes from a 2026 analysis of patient complaints (Su et al., Aesthetic Plastic Surgery; DOI: 10.1007/s00266-026-06044-2). The study reinforced the value of thorough pre-treatment communication and strong safety protocols.

At Arbour Longevity, we maintain full emergency protocols, carry all necessary reversal agents, and make sure every patient completes a thorough informed consent process. Our clinic meets medical-grade safety standards, not spa-level ones.

Question 5: What Does Follow-Up Care Look Like?

The quality of your results is not decided only by what happens during your treatment. Follow-up care, monitoring, and the ability to make adjustments matter just as much. Yet these are the elements patients, and unfortunately some providers, most often overlook.

Here is what to ask:

• Scheduled follow-ups: Does the clinic schedule a follow-up appointment to assess your results? For treatments like BHRT and peptide therapy, ongoing lab monitoring is essential.
• Touch-up policies: For aesthetic treatments, is there a touch-up appointment included? How are adjustments handled?
• Accessibility: Can you reach your provider if you have questions or concerns after treatment? Is there a direct line, or will you be sent to a call center?
• Long-term planning: A good provider thinks beyond the current appointment. They should discuss a long-term plan that covers maintenance, future goals, and changing needs.

Standardized follow-up, using both physical and biometric assessment, is critical for tracking results and catching complications early. That is the conclusion of a 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis (a study that pools the results of many trials) of injectable hyaluronic acid treatments (Mosteirin et al.; DOI: 10.1111/jocd.70741).

At Arbour Longevity, follow-up is built into every treatment protocol. For aesthetic treatments, we schedule two-week follow-up appointments to assess results and make any needed adjustments. For wellness services like hormone therapy and peptide protocols, regular lab work and check-ins keep your program on track over time. Gandhi Bhattarai is directly accessible to her patients for questions and concerns.

The Arbour Longevity Standard: Meeting Every Criterion

We designed these five questions to empower you as a patient. We also believe they describe the standard of care every clinic should meet. At Arbour Longevity, we are proud that our practice answers every one of these questions with confidence:

Criterion	Arbour Longevity Standard
Provider Credentials	Triple board certified NP (FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, Anti-Aging/Functional Medicine BC)
Product Sourcing	Authorized distributors and accredited pharmacies only
Realistic Expectations	Transparent, evidence-based consultations
Safety Protocols	Medical-grade facility with full emergency preparedness
Follow-Up Care	Scheduled follow-ups, lab monitoring, direct provider access

Whether you are exploring Botox and fillers, a non-surgical facelift, bioidentical hormone therapy, peptide therapy, sexual wellness treatments, or medical weight loss, these five questions will help you find providers who meet the standard you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my current provider cannot answer these questions satisfactorily?

If a provider is unable or unwilling to clearly address these five questions, it may be worth seeking a second opinion. Your health and safety should never be traded for convenience or cost savings.

Are these questions relevant for non-invasive treatments too?

Yes. Even treatments marketed as "non-invasive" raise questions of product quality, provider training, expected results, safety, and follow-up. The questions apply whether you are getting a facial peel or a full regenerative medicine protocol.

How do I verify a provider's board certification?

Board certification for nurse practitioners can be checked through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). These databases are publicly available online.

What red flags should I watch for when choosing an aesthetic provider?

Be cautious of providers who pressure you into treatments, or offer prices far below market rate (which may indicate counterfeit products). Other red flags: refusing to discuss credentials or complications, or guaranteeing specific results. Also watch for clinics where your treating provider is not the same person who consulted with you.

Can I schedule a consultation at Arbour Longevity without committing to treatment?

Absolutely. We welcome consultation-only visits where you can meet Gandhi Bhattarai, discuss your goals, ask questions, and decide whether our approach is the right fit, with no obligation to proceed. Book your $35 first visit or call (734) 436-3357. Arbour Longevity is at 2217 Packard St #15, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, open Thursday through Monday, 10am to 7pm.