As straightforward as injectables may sound, it’s still a good idea to do your homework before booking a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. To help with that endeavor, I noted a couple of points to home in on in my last blog post: your budget, the injector, and the product that will be used. We’ll finish the discussion here with a couple more considerations.
Preparation and recovery
All injectables tend to be lumped together because they’re minimally invasive and can be done in minutes, but there are some important differentiations to be aware of. Botulinum toxin type A (Botox, Jeuveau), for example, require no preparation, and the only restrictions afterward are not exercising or putting your head down for about four hours.
Fillers, on the other hand, can cause slight bruising and swelling, particularly in sensitive areas like the lips. So it’s a good idea to schedule appointments at least 48 hours before a major event. You should also stop taking any ibuprofen and fish-oil supplements two weeks prior to getting a hyaluronic acid filler because they’re blood thinners that can increase the likelihood of bruising and swelling.
How long the results will last
The most common question that comes up during a consultation for an injectable is: How long will the results last? That’s influenced by several factors, including the product that’s used, how much was injected, and where it was injected. Generally, botulinum toxin type A lasts around four to six months, while hyaluronic acid fillers last anywhere from six to 18 months.
On the flipside of that response, if you don’t like the results, hyaluronic acid fillers are reversible. An enzyme can be injected that will dissolve the filler within 24 hours. Botulinum toxin type A is not, however, which is why it’s a common practice for plastic surgeons to have their first-time clients come back a couple weeks after their injection to reassess the results and touch up with more if needed.
Setting your expectations
Perhaps most important to this entire process is managing your expectations. If your goal is Angelina’s lips, or Kim’s cheekbones, or a 20-years-younger version of yourself, you’re bound to be disappointed in the end. While it never hurts to have a source of inspiration, the aim of most plastic surgeons, particularly where injectables are concerned, is to enhance your natural features.
Your focus may be solely on Kim’s cheekbones, but your surgeon is considering how they’ll fit within your own anatomy and modifying them accordingly. We see your face in a three-dimensional way that can be very different from how you register it. So, be willing to listen to their recommendations, even if they’re not something you initially thought of.