Dermal Fillers and Neurtoxins FAQs | Ashley Orlandi, Nurse Injector

Posted April 07, 2020

Some of the most common concerns I see patients for are forehead lines, glabellar lines (also known as the 11’s), nasolabial folds, and marionette lines. Many also desire a more defined or fuller lip, or have concerns with sagging jowls, or vertical lip lines. I often have patients come in and ask me what I think they need. During a consultation, it is very important to me to discuss their areas of concern as well as their desired outcome and budget. This way we can establish the best course of treatment. It is very important to keep in mind that we treat each patient as an individual and not everyone’s treatment plan will be the same. I have outlined some answers to patients’ commonly asked questions regarding dermal fillers and neurtoxins. If you have any further questions, please reach out by your preferred method listed at the bottom.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are a great option for restoring volume loss to cheeks, adding volume to lips, or to create a more defined lip. As we age, our skin naturally loses collagen and elasticity, and even fat pads in the face can shrink as we age. Usually a combination of the above causes most of my patients’ chief complaints- marionette lines, nasolabial folds, parenthesis lines around mouth, vertical lip lines, and sagging jowls. Using dermal fillers to restore volume loss in the mid-face can make a huge impact and create a more rested, youthful appearance. Again, every patient is different, and each treatment plan is individualized.

What to expect and answers to some frequently asked questions:

• An appointment usually lasts 45-60 minutes. This allows time to establish a treatment plan, topically numb the skin, and to perform injections.
• A numbing cream and/or ice is used prior to injections to make treatment as comfortable as possible. The filler itself has a numbing agent in it as well.
• Minor swelling and bruising is normal and usually resolves in a few days. Ice and over-the-counter Arnica cream can be helpful for soreness and bruising.
• It is safe to do your normal skin care routine and to wear makeup after treatment.
• Take it easy for 24 hours:
  • Try not to sweat or increase your heart rate- so no working out
  • No heavy lifting
  • Keep your head above you heart and don’t lie flat for at least 4 hours
  • No facials or massages for 2 weeks
• Stay hydrated
• Keep lips moisturized if you have had a lip filler injection.
• It is normal to feel small bumps under skin where injections were placed. These will smooth within a few days.
• You will notice results immediately, but the filler will continue to smooth and settle for about 2 weeks after treatment.
• Depending on the area treated and the type of filler used, results generally last anywhere from 6 months up to 2 years.

My biggest tip to improve the longevity of any type of injection is to always wear sunscreen and to drink plenty of water. Protecting your skin from the sun and staying hydrated will also help improve the overall condition of your skin. Scheduling maintenance or touch-up treatments before results completely wear off is also beneficial. Not only will this help keep the results looking fresh, but less amount of product may be needed to maintain the look.

Neurotoxins

Neurotoxins (most commonly Botox and Dysport) are used to treat lines or wrinkles caused by a muscle contracting. For example, if the lines that appear around your eyes when you smile are bothersome, I would likely recommend a neurotoxin treatment. The injections are specifically placed in order to relax the muscle that is causing the wrinkle. Areas such as the forehead, between brows (11’s), crow’s feet, crepiness under eyes, and bunny lines on the nose are also some areas that respond very well to neurotoxin injections.

What to expect and answers to some frequently asked questions:

• After a treatment plan is established, the treatment itself only takes a few minutes.
• Most will experience little to no pain, a very fine needle is used for the injections.
• A small amount of redness or swelling at injection sites is normal, and usually resolves within 15-20 minutes.
• If minor bruising occurs, over-the-counter Arnica cream can be used.
• It is safe to do your normal skin care routine and to wear makeup after treatment.
• Take it easy for 24 hours:
  • Try not to sweat or increase your heart rate, so no working out
  • No heavy lifting
  • Keep your head above your heart and don’t lie flat for at least 4 hours
  • No facials or massages for 2 weeks
• You will start to notice results around the 5-7 day mark, but it takes 2 weeks to achieve the full results.
• The number of units needed varies from person to person. During an appointment, I’ll hear from patients what their desired aesthetic results are and recommend the number of units.
• Effects usually last between 3 and 4 months, this is very patient dependent, as everyone metabolizes differently.
• Stubborn lines or wrinkles may need multiple treatments to achieve desired smoothness.

If you’re interested in discussing your options more with Ashley, there are many ways to get in contact with her:

• Send an email to [email protected] with any questions you may have.
• Schedule a virtual consultation with Ashley. Click the “Remedly” button, create an account, go to the messages tab, and click the “Compose” button to get started. Securely send messages and images to our providers and get your questions answered.
• Contact us through our contact page.