I worked front desk last week with Julie as Angela was getting some much needed time off. I haven’t worked up front for a while, but one thing that I was reminded of was the particular questions that we are asked, sometimes on a daily basis. I checked in with our staff too and they added their input. So this isn’t as long as a book, we will divide this into two blogs: one for injectables, and one for non-injectables.
Here are some of our most frequently asked injectable questions, aside from pricing:
How many syringes will I need?
Of course this depends on the treatment area. Let me preface this by saying that one syringe of filler (1ml) is equivalent to 1 TEASPOON of product. Put some gel in a teaspoon and then picture that going into your face to accomplish the results you are looking for. Doesn’t look like much, does it?
What treatment areas can be effectively treated with about one syringe of filler? Generally, and please know that everyone’s needs are unique and this may not apply for everyone, but ON AVERAGE, these treatments can be accomplished with one syringe of filler each:
o Tear troughs
o Lips
o Nasolabial folds
o Vertical lip lines
o Smile lines
o Chin
o Nose
What about amounts for the larger treatment areas? Treating volume loss in the face is fairly misunderstood for most people who are not in aesthetics. It’s happened to me many times: a friend says, “I wanna get these filled,” as they point to their smile lines. Or else they put their fingers on their cheekbones and pull their skin back and say, “I want this!” Most times, particularly in the mid and lower face, filling the exact area that bothers you isn’t the right course of action for correction. Pulling back that skin is more accurate as far as what needs to happen to produce some results with filler.
Over time our fat pads slip down towards our jowls, and the bones in our skull shift and lose mass as well. This results in a heavier looking lower face. To get that lifted appearance, you must have filler placed higher in the cheek area, lateral to the cheek bones. When you restore volume up top, the lower face looks less heavy. Filler can also be placed in the apples of the cheeks which can further help to restore your ogee curve: the ogee curve is the sexy curve that starts from the top of your cheekbone and angles down towards your mid-cheek.
Now think back to that teaspoon. Then look at your cheeks and/or jowls. One syringe isn’t going to make much difference in restoring volume. You’ll need at least 2 syringes for the cheek area. You need enough filler to provide structure and support (like a scaffold) over that larger area to lift the face.
What other treatment areas needs 2 or more syringes of filler for an effective treatment?
o Cheeks: 2+ syringes
o Jawline 2-4 syringes
o Temples: 1-2 syringes
Can I just do a half syringe and see if I like it? Well, sure, you can if you really want to, but unless you’re just doing lips, you probably won’t see much to any difference with a half syringe (half teaspoon), and you’ll be sorely disappointed.
Will it hurt? Any time a needle pierces skin you will probably feel something. Discomfort is also subjective, and some people aren’t bothered by cosmetic injections at all. For filler appointments we use numbing cream in the treatment areas. The fillers also contain lidocaine so once injections begin the sensation of numbness increases. I’ve had almost every area injected and they are all quite tolerable.
Are there any side effects? Common side effects to injections are bruising and swelling. Any time a needle pierces soft tissue there is the possibility of bruising. Whether you bruise or not is not connected to the talent of your provider but rather dependent on things like how your body responds to “injury” or if you’ve had blood thinners recently (like alcohol, Advil, fish oil, etc.). Swelling is a normal healing response from your body and is usually at its peak in post-treatment days 1-3. Possibilities of bruising and swelling are also more common to the more delicate and vascular areas like the lips and around the mouth.
How many units of Botox will I need per area? These are just estimates, and amounts needed are unique to each person, dependent on the strength of your muscles, and the frequency with which you receive your neurotoxin treatments.
o Chin: 2-6 units
o Corners of the mouth: 3-6 units
o Crow’s feet: 5-15 units
o Eyebrow lift: 2-5 units
o Forehead lines / horizontal lines: 10-30 units
o Frown lines: 10-25 units
o Glabellar lines (between the eyes): 10-25 units
o Jaw area (masseter): 15-30 units per side
o Lines around the nose: 5-10 units
o Neck (platysmal) bands: 25-50 units
Can I do injectables when I’m pregnant or breastfeeding? This is a hard no. The only treatments we approve for women breastfeeding or pregnant are dermaplaning and a Hydrafacial without the chemical peel.
For more exact answers that are specifically detailed to you, we encourage you to make a consult. The injectors can then provide you with a detailed treatment plan including specific products, costs, and a timeline.
