Botox and Lip Filler Q + A / My Experience at Monarch Plastic Surgery
I have been thinking about getting Botox for awhile now, but especially the closer my wedding has gotten. I know it's a hot topic, and sometimes a controversial one, but I'm all about being open and honest with you guys.
I'm sure we all know a least one person that's gotten carried away with injections, and those are the people who give it a bad rap. But it can 100% be done safely and tastefully if you choose the right person, and have the right expectation. I would venture to guess that had I not ever said anything, you wouldn't have known I did it at all!
I will also preface by saying this: I know that injections of any kind, are not for everyone! I totally understand that this isn't something everyone wants to do/can do. To me, it is no different than professionally whitening your teeth or getting lash extensions. Does everyone need it? Heck no. But in my opinion, if you want to do something that you think is going to make you feel better/more confident, and you have the means to do it, go for it.
After hearing from multiple people who had amazing experiences at Monarch Plastic Surgery, I decided to go in for a consultation! I saw Kirsten McClintock (RN and Nurse Injector) and I could not recommend her more. She was able to easily answer my laundry list of questions in a way that made me feel so comfortable and at ease. I had a ton of questions for her, so I had her email them to me so I could share them with all of you.
For reference: for both the Botox Q+A section, and the Lip Filler Q+A, Kirsten’s answers are in quotes, mine are in green!
Q + A: Botox
How many units did you have?
28 units of Botox: 20 units between my brows + 8 units in my forehead
Is Botox preventative?
"Botox is absolutely preventative and one of my favorite things about it. Over time, as our muscles become stronger, wrinkles begin to form. Think about the lines we have on the palms of our hands. These are lines caused by repeated movement. Eventually the wrinkles on our face, like our hands, will start to get deeper and more visible even at rest. The goal of preventative Botox is to stop the movement of certain muscles which in turn prevents wrinkles before they can form."
Are there risks?
"Botox is FDA-approved and as long as treatments are performed by an experienced injector, it is relatively safe. Luckily any side effects that may happen, are temporary and rare. Potential side effects, which occur in about 1-5% of cases, can include mild bruising, slight droopiness of the eyebrow or eyelid (which typically resolves withiin 2 weeks), and headaches. Your injector will discuss all potential side effects with you prior to treatment."
How does Botox actually work?
"Repeated muscle movements gradually result in the formation of facial wrinkles and lines. Botox works by blocking signals from the nerves to the muscles, which in turn temporarily reduces the muscle movements that cause these wrinkles. Once the muscle movement is relaxed, the wrinkles begin to soften."
How much does one unit cost?
"The cost per unit can vary per company and product. At Monarch, for a nurse injector to treat, its $12 per unit for Botox, $4 per unit for Dysport, and $11 per unit for Jeuveau. The units are not interchangeable though, meaning a patient will need significantly more units of Dysport than they would of Botox."
I had 28 units of Botox, so in total it was $336.
How long does it take to take effect?
"Botox takes anywhere from 2-10 days to take full effect."
I saw results after about 5 days!
How often will I need to get it redone?
"On average patients see results lasting about 3-4 months, but this can vary from person to person."
When looking for a provider, what should I look for?
"Look for an experienced provider who makes you feel comfortable, while taking the time to listen to your concerns and answering your questions. After a thorough assessment, they should present a customized treatment plan that specifically addresses your aesthetic desires. Don't hesitate to ask about ongoing training and education that they're pursuing. A good provider is constantly seeking out training educational and training opportunities. Lastly, your provider should be willing to discuss risks and benefits of all procedures and products."
Common areas to treat with Botox?
"The most common areas to treat are areas of the upper face, including between the brows, the forehead, and the crow's feet."
What's the downtime/how long is recovery?
"Downtime is minimal and you can return to your daily routine after treatment. You can expect slight redness and swelling around each injection point, which typically resolves within 20-30 minutes. Be sure to plan treatments for a minimum of 2 weeks before any major events."
I hardly saw any redness or swelling at all! You would've never known I had it done.
Does it hurt?
"You can expect a mild pinch during the treatment. We use the tiniest of needles to ensure the least amount of discomfort possible."
I don't think it hurt whatsoever. Pinch your forehead and that's what I felt like. I was expecting the worst and it wasn't the slightest bit bad.
What's the benefit of starting Botox at a younger age?
"Starting Botox at a younger age will prevent wrinkles from forming. Oftentimes I see older patients coming in with static or set in lines that have never had Botox. Unfortunately, while Botox will help soften static lines, it can not remove them completely."
Q + A: Lip Filler
How much lip filler did you get?
I had one syringe of Juvaderm Volbella.
Difference between lip filler and lip flip?
"Lip filler uses dermal fillers to enhance volume and shape of lips and lasts 6-12 months. A lip flip uses Botox to help the muscles of the upper lip relax and in turn rolls the upper lip up slightly. This results lasts around 2-4 months. Discuss your aesthetic desires with your provider and they will help determine which treatment is best for you."
How many syringes of filler will I need for lip enhancement?
"The amount of product needed will depend on your desired result. I usually recommend starting with one syringe and going from there. For most people, one to two syringes provides the results they're looking for."
How much does lip filler cost?
"Cost depends on the product used, the amount used, and the skill and expertise of the provider. The cost can range anywhere between $500-$650 per syringe."
How often will it need to be redone?
"Typically lip filler lasts anywhere between 6-12 months and can vary from person to person. With repeated treatments, the effect of dermal fillers can be prolonged."
Does it hurt?
"Most dermal fillers contain lidocaine to help keep discomfort minimal during the procedure. Topical numbing cream and ice can also be used to further help minimize discomfort."
In my opinion, yes, the lip filler hurt. The numbing cream helps a ton, but you can definitely still feel it. The pain lasts no more than 2 seconds at a time, but it's uncomfortable. I would do it again in a heartbeat, but yes, I thought it hurt.
What is the downtime?
"Recovery time varies for each patient, but you can resume most daily activities immediately. You'll likely experience some bruising and swelling, which can range from mild to moderate. The majority of the bruising/swelling dissipates within 48 hours, but can take up to two weeks to fully resolve. As with any facial injections, I recommend avoiding treatment for a minimum of 2 weeks prior to any major events."
My lips were really swollen for about 36-48 hours. It wasn't unbearable, but it wasn't comfortable. After two full days I was completely fine, but they definitely swell a lot those first two days.
Can it be reversed?
"Dermal fillers made with hyaluronic acid can be dissolved with hyaluronidase, which is an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid. Its injected directly or in the vicinity of the area previously injected. Once injected, it starts working immediately."
Do you always inject both lips or can you just inject one?
"I prefer to always inject both lips for the most natural results. Dermal fillers draw water in which makes the lips look more hydrated and youthful. If a person doesn't want more volume in the lower lip, I always recommend injecting just a tiny amount to provide the hydrated look without increasing the volume of the lip."
Questions for Me
I want to do lip filler, but I don't want to look crazy, what did you ask for?
To put it in perspective, one syringe (what I had) equals 1/5 of a teaspoon, it's a VERY small amount. When you think of the people you don't want to look like, I can promise you they had more than one syringe.
My first piece of advice is to be up front about what you're looking for! Be honest about what you want. You can also show pictures! This will give the nurse injector an idea of what you're looking for, and they can give you advice on how natural that's going to look on your face/how achievable that is.
The goal of the injector is to make you happy, and to ensure you walk away with what you're looking for. I know it's a little scary, but they are professionals and they want you to be happy with whatever it is you get done!
Will I continue with Botox/Lip Filler?
I will absolutely continue with Botox. I love my results! I don't have a single complaint and it was exactly what I was looking for.
The lip filler I had injected won't need to be injected again until next year, which will be a couple months before my (rescheduled) wedding. I'm just going to wait to see what they look like then to make a decision, but if I feel like I want it again, I would have no problem doing it again!
Do your lips feel too big/funny?
It took 2-3 days after the swelling went down for them to not feel funny. But now, they're 100% fine. They don't feel any different than they did before!
Would I recommend Botox/filler?
I absolutely would! I had a fantastic experience at Monarch and I would recommend them, Kirsten, and their services to anyone!
