Injectables: Your Plan of Attack

Have you started to notice the toll that time is taking on your face? Do you not look the way you used to or the way you wish to? Perhaps you’ve considered Botox or fillers but felt overwhelmed because you’re not sure how they work or what you’d need. Artistik Beauty can help take the anxiety out of injectables. Reaching out with a text message, email, or call is all it takes to get the advice and guidance you’re seeking.

Prejuvenation is a term coined by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. It refers to women starting non-invasive beauty treatments early to prevent the appearance of aging. The facial muscles that cause wrinkles can be trained to move less using treatments like Botox, and dermal filler and PDO threads can help in the fight against gravity. So, you don’t have to wait until you’re old and wrinkled to visit Artistik Beauty. In fact, waiting is the probably the worst idea. Prevention is so much easier than repair. Of course, if you’ve already been putting off treatment with injectables like Botox and filler, they can still make a world of difference in rejuvenating your appearance.

Whom Should I See?

The importance of choosing the right injector cannot be overstated. A qualified and talented injector is essential for a positive outcome. Injecting is a skill, but there is also an element of art involved. Knowing how to inject product properly is of vital importance, but you also want someone who has a discerning eye and will properly assess your face for balance and symmetry.

Our nurse practitioner Ashley Pontenberg has advanced and master’s level training. She sees thousands of patients a year. Ashley not only trains with world-renown doctors, but she’s also called on to conduct trainings herself. She realizes the importance of keeping on top of the newest trends, techniques, and products by attending seminars, conferences, and other forms of continuing education. In addition to her talent and skill, Ashley cares about her patients. She’s a good listener, and clients feel comfortable talking to her about their concerns.

 

How Should I Prepare for Injectables?

Dermal fillers and Botox are minimally invasive and only take a matter of minutes, but they require some forethought and preparation. Not everyone will bruise, but there’s always the chance for some minor bruising after injections. Therefore, it’s a good idea to schedule appointments at least a week or two before any event where you’ll want to appear bruise-free. Below are some tips to avoid/minimize bruising.

• Don’t take any aspirin, ibuprofen or similar (Advil, Motrin, Aleve, etc.) for two weeks before injections as they thin your blood, increasing the likelihood of bruising.
• Avoid fish oil, Vitamin E, and gingko biloba for two weeks before injections (these can thin your blood as well).
• Take a bromelain supplement for both a week before and after injections. 250mg of bromelain taken three times daily is helpful for the treatment of bruising. It’s thought to work by clearing the metabolic waste that shows up as a bruise.
• Take arnica montana pellets (a homeopathic medication) for a week before and after injections to both help prevent and heal bruises.
• Eating spinach, kale, and celery the week before treatment will boost your levels of Vitamin K. Vitamin K helps speed healing and reduce swelling and bruising. (People with a Vitamin K deficiency tend to bruise more easily.)
• Purchase an arnica cream or gel to apply to any bruised areas after injections. You can also find a topical product online called VitaMedica that contains both Arnica and vitamin K.

What Can I Expect After My Treatment? What is the Aftercare Involved?

Botox (botulinum toxin):

• It takes about 7-10 days to see the full effect of Botox.
• Don’t lay down for 4 hours or exercise the day of your treatment. You want the product to stay where it was injected.
• You shouldn’t rub or massage the injected area because the botulinum toxin can migrate to another area of the face.
• Don’t ice the injection site. While this used to be common practice, new research shows that it can slow the uptake of the toxin into the muscle.
• Apply an arnica gel or cream to any bruises. Continue taking arnica montana, Bromelain, and eating plenty of greens for one week following injections if you’ve bruised.

Dermal Fillers

• The most common side effects are bruising and swelling; you will especially see this in sensitive areas such as the lips. (Some of the volume you see initially is swelling, so don’t panic if your lips look too big, for example.)
• It’s best to avoid intense physical activity for 24-48 hours to minimize bruising and swelling.
• Temporary numbness or redness is normal.
• Lumps or hard areas at the injection site are a possibility and should only be temporary. Get in touch with Ashley if after 2 –3 weeks they remain.
• Apply an arnica gel or cream to any bruises. Continue taking arnica montana, Bromelain, and eating plenty of greens for one week following injections should you bruise.
• Sometimes repeat visits are required to build up volume that has been lost over time.

How Long Will My Results Last? 

Many factors affect the longevity of your results. The product used makes a difference, as certain fillers last longer than others. The amount injected matters, as sometimes a very small amount doesn’t last as long as larger volumes of filler do (or sometimes it just seems that way). Where you’re injected with filler makes a difference, as the more movement an area of the face experiences, the quicker filler will break down there.

Your individual metabolism makes a difference. Some people metabolize filler faster than others. However, generally, botulinum toxin lasts anywhere from three to four months, and hyaluronic acid fillers can last from about six to eighteen months, depending on which product you choose.

If you like the look you achieve with cosmetic fillers, think of it as another part of your beauty routine that requires maintenance; much like getting your hair cut or colored every so often.

What if I Don’t Like it?

If you’re ever unhappy with the results of your injections, hyaluronic acid filler injections are reversible. There’s an enzyme that dissolves the filler completely within 24 hours. Botulinum toxin is not reversible, however. If it’s your first-time having botulinum toxin injected, Ashley will be conservative, since she can always inject more at a later appointment. Luckily, the results aren’t permanent either, so if you don’t love the outcome of your Botox treatment, you can just wait for it to wear off in a few months.

Call, email, or text Artistik Beauty today for your free consultation! There’s no time like the present!