It’s completely normal—and preferable—when our patients come to us with their questions about Botox® and Fillers before they start a treatment plan. And they do! For this post, I thought it might be helpful to highlight the questions that keep coming up for those who are considering medical aesthetics. Hopefully, you’ll find this information helpful but don’t forget that you can always reach out to ask more questions and get more answers!
1. Do Botox® and Filler treatments hurt?
For some people, there is some discomfort during their procedure but others barely feel a thing!
When it comes to Botox® treatments, I use the smallest needle on the market and a vibrating nerve-distracting device. My patients report that they barely feel the needle or a minor pinch. After your Botox injections for frown or forehead lines, some people get a mild headache but typically, a little rest will resolve that problem.
Getting filler can be a little uncomfortable but I have various techniques to minimize pain and discomfort. I start by applying ice to the treatment area—this not only decreases pain but also helps to lessen bruising. I also use the nerve-distracting device as well. It’s also important to know that there is lidocaine, a local anesthetic, in the filler itself which numbs the area after it has been injected.
2. How long does it last?
On average, Botox® lasts 3 months but its longevity comes in a range of two to six months depending on the treatment area and the patient’s metabolism.
Depending on the type of filler and area treated, the results of your procedure can last anywhere between nine months and two years. As a general guideline, skin booster hydration can last nine months; lips will last one year, and cheeks and the jawline can last two years and often longer.
3. How much does it cost?
There is no quick and easy answer to this. Every patient will have a different treatment plan with (potentially) more than one type of treatment. That said, I can tell you that Botox® treatments are $10 per unit; most patients require between 20 to 60 units for their complete treatment plan.
For fillers, the cost is $550 for treatments of the lips. For all other areas, the cost ranges from $625 for one syringe to $3,150 for seven syringes. Typically, patients who seek full-face rejuvenation require a higher number of syringes. As an example, if you are looking to treat your cheek area, you may require between two to six syringes to get the results you want. The older you are, the more you will require due to volume loss.
4. Is it safe?
All procedures carry some risk and it’s important to say that first. However, I’m a professional—a trained medical doctor—who provides treatments in the safest manner possible.
I see our patient/doctor relationship as a partnership. I’m the injector and have an important role to play. Before any procedure takes place, I make sure you are a good candidate for the procedure. Once I do that, I ensure that my techniques and treatments are safe for you. As the patient, you hold the responsibility to come to your appointment having followed pre-procedure instructions and to adhere to any post-procedure directives too. When we both play our parts, we minimize the risks.
When it comes to the treatments themselves, here’s what we know:
- Botox® has been extensively studied and has an excellent safety profile. Most reactions are due to the injection itself: bruising, tenderness at sites, infection, as well as the rare chance of allergic reaction and eyelid temporarily drooping.
- Filler injections—we primarily use hyaluronic acid fillers— are safe and are the most commonly used in Canada. They can result in bruising and temporary swelling and tenderness after the procedure. There is also a rare chance of infection, inflammatory nodules, blockage of a blood vessel.
Because of the risk factors for either of these procedures, it’s important that you trust your doctor and communicate well with them. They’ll know what to do in case you have a reaction.
5. How much downtime is there?
For Botox®, there is minimal downtime. It takes a mere 10 to 15 minutes for the swelling at the injection sites to disappear. Though you might not notice the effects of the treatment right away, you will start to notice changes in a few days. The full results will be clear around the 14-day mark.
Things are a bit different for filler. You’ll likely see visible swelling for about three days. Over the following weeks, things will settle and your final results will be visible in about one month. If you do have bruising, you can expect this to last seven to 14 days. But we’ll also arm you with our tips to clear the bruising more quickly!
Before you set your eyes on any syringe, I’ll be sure to provide a full consultation where you can be free to ask any and all questions. This also helps me learn about your expectations and fill you in on potential treatment options and a recommended treatment plan.
Remember though: the choice to move ahead or to keep asking questions is always yours!
Are you ready to open a discussion about your medical aesthetics journey? Reach out to us to book a free consultation!