Reviewed and updated August 2026.
Nurse practitioners are among the licensed clinicians who commonly administer cosmetic injectables in the United States, alongside physicians and physician assistants. At Elume Med Spa in Fairfax, VA, injectable treatments are provided under the care of Shaheen Ghafari, a licensed Nurse Practitioner. She founded Elume in Fairfax in 2009.
What is a nurse practitioner?
A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse. The path runs through a nursing degree and licensure as a registered nurse, then graduate level education and a separate national certification and state license to practice as an NP. It is a clinical license rather than a certificate earned over a weekend, and it is the same category of credential whether the NP works in primary care or in aesthetics.
That distinction matters in medical aesthetics because the field contains a wide range of backgrounds. Knowing which one is treating you is a fair thing to ask, and a good practice will answer it directly.
Who administers injectables at a medical spa?
It varies by practice and by state. Broadly, injectables are administered by physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and in some settings registered nurses working under a supervising clinician. The rules governing who may inject, and what supervision is required, are set state by state rather than nationally.
The practical takeaway for a patient is not that one credential is universally better. It is that you should know, before you book, which clinician will be holding the syringe and what their license is.
What to ask any injector before you book
These questions work at any practice, not just this one, and a clinic that hesitates on them is telling you something.
- Who specifically will perform my treatment, and what is their license?
- Will I be assessed by that same person before treatment, or by someone else?
- How is the dose decided for my face rather than as a standard amount?
- What product are you using, and is it the brand you advertised?
- What happens if I want an adjustment afterwards?
- Who do I contact if something does not look or feel right?
Who treats you at Elume
Elume is a single location practice in Fairfax rather than a chain, and treatments are provided under the care of Shaheen Ghafari, a licensed Nurse Practitioner. She founded the practice in 2009 and it has served Northern Virginia since. Consultations are free, and the consultation is with the person who provides the care rather than a separate salesperson.
Injectables at Elume are arranged by consultation rather than online booking, which is a deliberate choice: dose and placement are decided per person, so there is nothing sensible to pre book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a nurse practitioner give Botox?
Nurse practitioners are among the licensed clinicians who commonly administer cosmetic injectables, alongside physicians and physician assistants. The specific rules on who may inject and what supervision applies are set state by state.
Is a nurse practitioner as qualified as a doctor for injectables?
They are different credentials rather than a simple ranking. What matters most in practice is the individual clinician’s training, their experience with the specific treatment, and whether the person assessing you is the person treating you. Those are all fair questions to ask before booking.
Who does the injecting at Elume Med Spa?
Treatments at Elume Med Spa in Fairfax, VA are provided under the care of Shaheen Ghafari, a licensed Nurse Practitioner, who founded the practice in 2009.
Do I meet the person treating me before I book?
Yes. Consultations are free and are with the clinician who provides the care rather than a separate sales appointment. Injectables are arranged through that consultation rather than online booking.
Book a free consultation
Call (703) 383-0431 or request a time through the Elume Med Spa schedule page. If you are still researching, our guides to how Botox is priced and how many units you need are good next reads.
