Maybe you have seen before and after photos of others with considerably smoother skin or youthful looking faces. Depending on your age, it’s possible you have friends or family who have been considering injectable treatments, as well, or they are already being treated. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there were over 5 million neurotoxin injections (household name: Botox) administered and almost 3 million administrations of other types of filler, such as Juvederm, Belotero, Radiesse, and more. While these numbers are not surprising to those who are board certified plastic surgeons, or licensed injectors, it can be shocking to those who are not familiar with the field of plastic surgery or cosmetic injectables. Are you considering going under the needle? Here are some tips to contemplate before your treatment.
1. Who You’re Working With.
This is our first consideration as it is extremely important. Always make sure you’re seeing a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, a licensed Nurse Injector or Physician Assistant who injects! It may seem like a given that everyone would see someone who is board-certified or licensed, but it is not surprising to find that some may practice unlawfully given the popularity if the aesthetics field. There are even practitioners who choose to administer stale dated product, at a deeper discount, to move it off of the shelves. Have you ever wondered why some centers are less expensive than others? This can be one of the answers.
Prior to scheduling your appointment, take the time to view their reviews, before and after photos, or speak to others who may be current patients. Next, schedule your consultation so you have one on one time with the practitioner to get a sense for them and ask all of your questions (don’t be afraid to ask questions!).
2. Your Expectations.
Managing expectations is vital when it comes to injectables. When managing expectations patients should take their age, facial anatomy, lifestyle and the condition of the skin into consideration. When unrealistic expectations are in mind, patients may become dissatisfied with the result of their treatment. This can possibly threaten a relationship, reputation, or a practice. At The Breslow Center, we thoroughly communicate to the patients what is and what is not possible; there are times when certain outcomes are not feasible (sharing photos of celebrities or filtered photos of yourself, with our practitioners, may not help, we’re sorry!).
Furthermore, cost should also be well-thought-out as this can become a strong factor. At TBC, we understand that aesthetic treatments can add up; assessing what is personally possible financially is another a great way to set the appointment up for success. For some patients, they may have enough put aside for one syringe of filler, but the outcome they desire may require more product, driving up the overall cost. We are transparent on fees and how long your filler may last.
3. What Your Downtime Will Look Like.
While each patient is different in regards to their healing, we do have a standard that we tell our patients at our practice. If you’re being treated with Botox, please hold off on exercise after your treatment. That’s it! Fillers are a whole other ball game. Here’s why:
Fillers have a higher rate of bruising and swelling than their best friend, the neurotoxin. We recommend that patients who will be receiving filler abstain from aspirin, Motrin, Aleve, Advil, fish oil, and alcohol products two weeks prior to their treatment. At this time, we’re also scheduling patients for two weeks after they receive their last dose of the COVID-19 vaccination. Adhering to these guidelines, we minimize the opportunity for excessive swelling and bleeding.
We want you to have the best experience as possible with us. By following these relatively easy tips, we’re inviting you to a pleasing experience The Breslow Center for Plastic Surgery and Medical Spa.