The Importance of Before and After Photos

@confidencebyclairern

You've heard us talk about them before, and we absolutely will again! Today, Claire Lebamoff, RN, shares with us how she sees photos as an essential part of the patient treatment experience.

Why do before and after photos matter?

Before and after photos aren't just a reflection of our work as providers - they are a source of objective truth for our patients. Much of the work we do is subtle which can be difficult for patients to perceive in real time or remember accurately. High quality, standardized photos provides tangible evidence of change so they can clearly see the progress they've made.

For many patients, these images are an important reminder of how far they've come in their aesthetic journey - with skin or injectable treatments. Photos enforce the goal of enhancing - not altering - their features. After working with Rana for months, Claire has seen firsthand how impactful well-executed photos can be. They allow patients to view themselves more objectively -- and usually more positively!

PRG Under the Eyes

Is there ever a visit where you don't take photos?

No! There should never be a visit where the practitioner does not take photos and upload them into the EMR. This includes consultations! Photos are a critical part of the medical record that empower the practitioner. They should be able to review the chart and immediately understand the patient's baseline, progression, and treatment rationale through both notes and images.

How do photos overlap with charting treatments?

Photos should visually support what is documented in the medical record, and charting should explain what is seen in the photos. High quality photos enable a more precise documentation of treatments too. In our EMR, we can document each individual neuromodulator injection site and dose. When this is paired with photography it allows our providers to replicate a treatment that has previously worked for the patient. The level of detail is the same thoughtfulness that goes into hospital-based care charting.

What are some other ways that you can use photos?

MOXI/BBL HEROic treatment

Patients process information in different ways. While some understand treatment benefits through verbal explanation, many are visual learners. Photography bridges that gap. Recently, we curated an album of the best photos of our MOXI/BBL treatments, including downtime photos to better educate our patients on the power of this device. Many of our patients express interest in laser treatments but hesitate due to the downtime. While we can explain how a treatment will address sun damage or broken capillaries, there are times when verbal explanation does not fully resonate. Claire has repeatedly seen that "lightbulb" moment occur when patients are shown clear, standardized results.

The transformation becomes tangible and they understand why the treatment could do for them. More importantly, all images are shared with proper patient consent and are intended for education, not sales. This was seen in a recent situation where a patient mentioned purchasing a laser package at another medspa, but was nervous about her possible downtime. By being transparent and showing her our photos and patient outcomes, Claire was able to answer her questions and build trust. Regardless of where she chooses to receive her treatment, she'll remember how we addressed her concerns. Those experiences stick with a patient and reflects good patient care.

Any other tips?

So many! But here are Claire's top four:

1. Consider asking your patients to document their downtime or schedule follow ups to take downtime photos.

2. Develop a consistent method for how YOU take photos. This does not need to match another provider's system, but it should be repeatable. Using the same lighting, camera, distance, and patient positioning each time allows you to naturally create reliable photos.

3. When photos are strong, showing them to the patient helps reinforce the value of standardized photography. It allows patients to understand why you are particular about position and expression and demonstrates how those details directly impact the quality and accuracy of their results. Plus they want to see their results!

4. Clear, standardized images not only enhance patient understanding, but also support your decision making, continuity of care, and most importantly medical legal documentation.