You are not alone as many first-timers tend to be very nervous about finally getting their first series of botox injections or getting their lips done. If you’re reading this, it is likely that you are thinking of doing a treatment because you feel like it may be the time to finally jump the fence and do it. On the flip side, you have no idea what to expect and try to anticipate every possible negative outcome, and now you’re getting freaked out because it’s your face! We completely understand. To reduce your anxiety, you can go to “How to prepare” for some tips on minimizing certain risks and side effects prior to your appointment and also “What to Expect” if you want to prepare yourself for possible/expected outcomes. Just know that you are in good hands, and there is never any pressure to do anything that you are not comfortable with. We practice our motto that we call, “Start low and go slow,” meaning there is never an over-treatment of injections, whether it comes to Botox or Juvederm.

EFFACÈ Aesthetics uses a topical numbing cream prior to injecting fillers to minimize as much discomfort as possible. We have a really potent numbing cream that is absolutely amazing to the point where many clients say they BARELY felt anything. As long as you have no allergies to Lidocaine or Sulfa drugs, you can use this particular numbing cream. However if you’re allergic to Sulfa drugs and not to Lidocaine, there is another alternative numbing cream that can be used. Ice packs are also used prior to and post injections to reduce swelling and pain. Also if you’re doing filler, Juvederm & Voluma is premixed with Lidocaine so that no matter what area is being treated, it will be a lot more tolerable. After fillers, we use a hand-held vibrating device to help massage the product in so that your results are smoother and more cohesive. As far as the needles are concerned, we use the tiniest, baby needles possible to reduce pain and bruising. Most patients don’t even feel the needle but may feel pressure as the product is being injected. Botox may feel like a mild bee-sting at its worst, but pre/post icing may help minimize the sensation.

Simply put…No it is not permanent. Botox treatments can last anywhere from 2-4 months, depending on your metabolism and lifestyle. Juvederm lasts anywhere from 6 months to a year and Voluma lasts up to 2 years. Again, everybody is different so whereas a syringe of Juvederm in one’s lips can last him up to 1 year, it may only last 6 months on another individual because she smokes. The beauty of these treatments is you can always follow up for your next Botox treatment when you’re due for a re-up and have it customized to exactly how much movement (or lack thereof) that you desire the second time around. With fillers, you can always add more layers to previously filled areas for a gradual, voluminizing effect.

The answer to that is simple: We don’t know until you come in for a consult so that we can assess your facial features. Everyone’s facial structures and musculature is different. Remember that we are very conservative with our treatments, and we deliver just enough product necessary for the most natural yet noticeably effective treatment possible.

Yes! More men are doing it now more than ever. These treatments are not only corrective, but they are also preventative. Men’s facial musculature can be very strong, therefore the amount of Botox men use is typically more than females. But again, results are very natural and can help reverse signs of aging: whether it’s that angry frown line you have from stress at work or deep crows feet from being a surfer. In regards to fillers, we specialize in treating men and understands male bone structure so that treatments are customized to correct or enhance male features appropriately. If cheeks are your issue, your treatment plan will most likely be different from a female’s treatment plan with the same issue. Visit the Gallery of images to see what we have done for male clients.

Yes, the peels EFFACÈ Aesthetics offers are appropriate for all skin types. If you’ve never had a peel before, we typically start with the less intense peel and can work our way up to a stronger peel as long as your skin responds appropriately. Go to “Services” for more information on the levels of peels that we offer.

You won’t know until you try it. The good thing is neither one is permanent. If for whatever reason you try Botox and decide that you don’t like not having wrinkles, in 3-4 months, your wrinkles will come back and you’ll be right back where you started. If you decided to get fillers and feel that your lips are fuller than expected for your own taste, you can either let it metabolize over time (typically 9 months- 1 year) or an extreme option is to have it dissolved with an injection called Hyaluronidase. We typically advise against this injection simply due to the risk of it dissolving your own natural collagen. However it’s reassuring to know that fillers we use are always reversible. Thankfully, this rarely occurs since most clients are typically happy with their results!

Here is a list of medications to discontinue 7 days before any injectable treatment. Check with your doctor first since some of these drugs are necessary for medical reasons.

Aspirin, Exedrin, Ibuprofen (Motrin, Aleve, Advil), St. John’s Wart, Omega 3 Fatty acids, Vitamin E, Ginko Bilboa, Ginseng, Garlic Pills.

If you need pain medication, Tylenol is fine to use.

NOTE: If you are on Warfarin/Coumadin or Plavix, stay on it! Just know that your risk for bruising may be increased.

Avoid drinking alcohol 1-2 days prior to your appointment to minimize risk of bruising.

If you ever had a cold sore around your mouth or near the area you’d like injected, it is advised that you take an anti-viral medication such as Valtrex to avoid potentially exacerbating an outbreak. We can also prescribe you a prophylactic dose if needed.

You may take Arnica Montana tablets one day prior to and the morning of your injections. You can purchase Arnica at any Whole Foods or Trader Joes. Do not use if you have high blood pressure of heart problems.

Please be mindful that bruising is always a risk regardless if you follow all the recommendations provided. Although meticulous care will be taken to avoid incidence of bruising, there are no guarantees that it will not occur. Therefore it is recommended that you avoid doing any injectables close to an event such as a wedding, where your appearance may be of the utmost importance to you. It is best to choose a date where you will have downtime in case you have noticeable redness, swelling or bruising post-treatment.

If you’re planning on attending an important event, it is recommended that you plan to have your treatments 3-4 weeks prior to the event to allow healing time in case of prolonged swelling and/or bruising.

Whichever areas you plan on having treated, you are required to shave those areas the night before to ensure an effective treatment.

Please avoid direct sun exposure to areas to be treated for 2 weeks prior to appointment. If any sun exposure or evidence of tanning is suspected, your aesthetician may have to postpone your treatment.

Please avoid any forms of exfoliation to areas you plan on treating (for example the face), as well as stopping the use of harsh chemicals such as glycolics, salicylic acids, benzoyl peroxides, and retinols for 3 days prior to your laser appointment.

Please inform your practitioner if you are taking any new medications, including antibiotics. There are a list of medications that are considered photosensitive and is considered a contraindication for laser therapy. We may have to postpone until after cessation of photosensitive medication usage.

Please inform your practitioner of any changes to your health/medical history prior to your treatment.

You will be asked to wash your face in order for your practitioner to assess your facial features and skin.

Pre-treatment photos will be taken at that time.

Your practitioner will formulate a plan that you can both agree on that works best for you.

A topical numbing cream will be applied to the areas to be treated for 20-25 mins prior to treatment. Ice packs are optional and are available to the patient if desired.

During the injection process, you may feel little stings or pressure. It may last a few seconds and is generally tolerable. Our fillers are premixed with Lidocaine therefore you may feel numbness in the tissues injected, even after the numbing cream fades.

You may see redness of the skin, mild to moderate swelling, and/or bruising may occur with every injection.

Gentle massage may be performed by your practitioner  after the procedure to ensure uniform distribution and smoothness.

Ice may be offered post treatment to help reduce swelling, discomfort, and to help slow/heal possible bruising.

Post-treatment photos will be taken and your results will be discussed with your practitioner.

After all treatments involving injections:

You may take Arnica Montana as instructed by the manufacturer label. We can provide you with complimentary Arnica tablets as well: Place 4 tablets under tongue 4 times a day.

For swelling or bruising, you may apply ice packs/cold compress to affected area for 15 minutes every hour. Allow at least 1-2 weeks for bruising or swelling to go down. Certain areas may appear puffier than others and may appear asymmetrical. This is temporary. Allow time for your tissues to heal and for the product to settle. Treated areas will soon appear more natural over time.

Continue to avoid medications containing Aspirin products as well as alcohol to avoid bruising for another 24-48 hours. Tylenol may be taken if necessary.

Avoid working out or going to the gym for the first day after your treatment to minimize risk of infection. You may resume all normal activity the following day.

Avoid squeezing, massage, or pressure to the face for at least a week. Avoid hot tubs, saunas, and jacuzzis for a week. No tanning or prolonged sun exposure to the treated area for a week.

We recommend that you avoid wearing make-up following a procedure to avoid bacteria that may subsequently cause infection to the treated area. You may resume wearing make-up in 24 hours.

After Botox:

You must remain upright for at least 4 hours.

Allow 3-7 days for Botox to activate. There is no need to move your facial muscles for it to work…it will kick in on its own.

After all skin & laser treatments:

Avoid extreme sun exposure, tanning/tanning beds following your treatment for at least a week. Wear SPF 30 or higher.

About your results:

Remember, 1cc of filler (1 syringe) is equivalent to 1/5 teaspoon so many patients find that more product may be necessary to achieve their goals. This is perfectly fine! Injecting product in layers gradually provides patients with a more natural appearance. Drastic changes overnight can be overwhelming, so remember…taking baby steps is totally fine.

Adverse experiences that may occur after your chemical peel:

It is common and expected that your skin will be red, possibly itchy and/or irritated. It is also possible that other adverse experiences may occur. Although rare, the following experiences have been reported by patients after having a peel: breakout of skin or acne, rash, swelling, or burning.

Please call the office immediately should you experience any unexpected reactions after the procedure.

Realistic Expectations

Although most people experience peeling off their facial skin, not every patient notices that their skin peels after a procedure. Lack of peeling is NOT an indication that the peel was unsuccessful. If you do not notice actual peeling, please know that you are still receiving benefits of the peel; such as, stimulation of collagen production, improvement of skin tone and texture, and diminishment of fine lines and pigmentation. Some reasons that may cause a patient to have minimal to no peeling are: having peels on a regular basis or short intervals between peels, frequent use of AHA’s, Retin-A, or other peeling agents, and/or severely sun damaged skin.

Post Peel Instructions & Guidelines

Do not wash your face until next morning after the peel.

Avoid strenuous exercise in the first 24 hours. If skin redness persists avoid for at least 2-5 days.

Apply sunscreen of at least an SPF 30 daily and avoid direct sunlight for 1 week.

Cleanse, moisturize and use SPF products recommended by your skin care specialist.

Do not use any other products during this time.

In approximately 48 hours the skin will begin to peel around the mouth. The peeling lasts for 3 to 5 days with each day becoming less and less. Do not pick or pull the skin. Allow the skin to peel and shed at its own pace.

When washing your face do not scrub, do not use a washcloth or any type of facial brush.

You can resume the regular use of anti-aging and exfoliating creams once the peeling has completely subsided. This means no flaking or irritation of the skin is apparent.

Wait until peeling completely subsides before having any other facial procedure performed.