Dermal fillers and Botox® (or Nucevia®) continue to rise in popularity for men and women seeking to smooth fine lines and wrinkles while maintaining a youthful, firm, glowing appearance. Both treatment options are proven, safe, and effective. However, if administered by an unreputable practitioner, you could end up looking like you have had “work” done, or worse, with an infection or permanent skin damage. Knowing these risks is not to deter you from receiving dermal fillers or Botox® injections, but rather to help raise awareness of what to look for in a trustworthy practitioner. 

The search for a trustworthy practitioner is only the beginning. You will also want to consider aspects such as current patient satisfaction, before and after photos, and what materials are used for treatment (as well as where those materials are sourced). 

The Difference between Dermal Fillers and Botox® Injections

First, if you’re new to the facial fillers’ world, let’s take a look at the difference between dermal fillers and Botox® injections. 

Our smile lines, crow’s feet, and furrowed brow lines are caused by years of repetitive muscle movements in the face. Botox® is a neuromodulator that consists of a protein, Botulinum Toxin Type A. This protein is created from bacteria, much like penicillin is made. Neuromodulators communicate with the brain to temporarily reduce and restrict the movement of those muscles that cause fine lines and wrinkles, giving our facial skin much-needed rest. 

Botox® has many cosmetic uses. It can be administered just about anywhere on your face where you see deep creases, wrinkles, or fine lines. You can receive Botox® injections in and around your lips to reduce the appearance of a smile or frown lines. Botox® is commonly administered on the forehead to smooth furrowed brow lines (especially for male patients). You can also use Botox® to lift eyebrows and diminish the appearance of crow’s feet from the outer corner of your eyes. 

For patients with dry, thin, or wrinkled skin, dermal fillers are a great treatment option. Youthful skin is smooth and resilient because it contains a lot of “hyaluronic acid.” As we age, the amount of hyaluronic acid in the skin gradually diminishes. 

Dermal fillers are long-lasting but non-permanent. There are several different forms of dermal fillers. We use hyaluronic acid because of its great effects and outcomes. Because it is similar to our body’s naturally occurring hyaluronic acid, its reversibility and safety profile are unparalleled. The gel mimics the naturally occurring substance by adding volume to the skin. When fillers are injected under the surface, the gel adds volume and increases skin hydration. This results in smoothing fine lines and evening out skin depressions for a more youthful appearance. 

You can receive both Nucevia® and dermal fillers to meet your treatment goals. You do not have to choose between one or the other. Botox® treatment results typically last 3 to 4 months. Dermal fillers last anywhere from 8 to 24 months. 

When administered correctly, these treatment options should leave your face looking natural and well-rested, as if you had a good night’s sleep all while reducing wrinkles and lines and producing a smoother appearance. 

Safety Tips for Facial Fillers

With both treatments, your skin is subject to both an injection and a “foreign” substance entering the skin. Even though our skin naturally produces hyaluronic acid, the acid used in facial fillers is a synthetic version. This is why safety is paramount to protect your health (and your face). 

Here are a few safety tips you can follow before receiving facial fillers:

  • Ask to see your practitioner’s credentials before treatment. Let your practitioner know you have safety concerns, and you would feel better if you can view their credentials. A compassionate practitioner will not hesitate to answer any questions you may have or provide anything you need to feel more comfortable with your decision to undergo treatment. 
  • Ask to see before and after photos of previous patients. The proof is in the photo. To see how other patients have fared before and after treatment, request to see these photos. Most reputable practitioners will even have these readily available on their websites. You may also want to take a look at current patients in the waiting room as well as the practitioners themselves just to get an idea of the quality of work they do. But don’t let that be your only deciding factor as they may have sought treatment elsewhere and are looking to “correct” their treatment. 
  • Ask questions. The more you ask, the better you will feel. Answers should be clear, concise, and make you feel confident in your practitioner’s abilities. Sample questions you may wish to ask include: 
    • How often do you perform this treatment?
    • What are the side effects and how do you treat them?
    • How do I follow up?
  • Look at patient reviews. When searching for a practitioner, read patient reviews online. This will give you a feel for the practitioner’s bedside manner, results, and patient satisfaction which can guide your decision-making process. 
  • Don’t select based on price; beware of discounts and “too good to be true” offers. If it looks like a steal, it probably is. Botox® and dermal fillers should never be offered as a bargain basement discount. There may be clinic sales or special offers, but nothing that seems “too good to be true.” If you see an offer that matches those criteria, there is a chance the clinic or practitioner is not reputable or the products they use are not of the highest quality. 
  • Ask what they use and where they got it – make sure it’s Health Canada and FDA approved. Speaking of materials, ask your practitioner where they obtain their Botox® injections and dermal fillers and if these materials are Health Canada and FDA approved. A red flag would be if the fillers were purchased wholesale online. Or even from another country, which ​​other countries don’t have the same regulatory systems in place (like Health Canada) so they can be extremely dangerous.
  • Don’t get injectables at “Botox® parties,” etc. This type of event actually exists. A “practitioner” will host a gathering of eager participants and administer Botox® injections to everyone in a group setting. Alcohol is often involved which could result in excess bleeding or bruising. Even if the event appears clean, you want to make sure your treatment is a one-on-one affair in a licensed and safe clinic environment. 
  • Don’t go to non-sterile environments. Along those lines, avoid non-sterile environments like shopping malls, hotel rooms, or anything other than a reputable and licensed clinic setting. 
  • Don’t go to a spa that only does injections; go to a spa with a full spectrum of services. This doesn’t mean that your spa is not reputable, but doctors say you are more likely to end up with an unnatural and overfilled look if your health spa only does injections. Find a full-service provider that offers non-invasive injections, dermal fillers, and other options. 

Why It Is Important to Find a Trustworthy Practitioner

With the rise in popularity, Nucevia® injections and dermal fillers seem like they can be administered in any setting. Ideally, you will want to select a practitioner who is a specialty trained aesthetic medicine physician, aesthetic medicine nurse practitioner,  facial plastic surgeon, a cosmetic dermatologist, or working under the direction of one of these specialty practitioners, a licensed nurse injector specifically trained in cosmetic injections.

Here are a few reasons why it is so important to find a trustworthy practitioner:

  • You want someone who can answer all of your questions in the initial consultation. Knowledge is power and your entire experience will be more pleasant if you don’t leave the office with unanswered questions or concerns. 
  • When you choose a reputable practitioner, you can be sure that they are a medical professional who is trained and knows what they are doing. 
  • A trustworthy practitioner will listen to your aesthetic goals and help you choose the best treatment option to meet those goals. This means getting the results you want: a natural and well-rested look, not transforming your face into a statue, or appearing as if you’ve had heavy work done. 
  • Obtaining dermal fillers from a trustworthy practitioner dramatically lowers health risks. Botox® and dermal fillers are very safe, tested, and proven treatment options. But side effects can still occur. When you have a trusted practitioner, you know your health risks are significantly lowered. 

Getting Started

If you are ready to see if either dermal fillers or Botox® injections are the right treatment option for your goals, consider booking a consultation with First Impressions Rejuvenation Clinic today. Our trusted, trained, and experienced team members would be happy to take the time to complete an in-depth assessment of your main concerns and develop an individualized treatment plan to suit your face and meet your needs. Our clinics are sterile, safe, and comfortable for all patients. We offer a broad spectrum of services. 

Say goodbye to crow’s feet, fine lines, wrinkles, and even scars. When you choose a trustworthy practitioner to administer dermal fillers or Nucevia®, you’ll receive the best and most natural results that leave you feeling radiant, younger, and rejuvenated. You are worth it!

*****************

If you’re ready to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, then Botox® injections may be the treatment you’re looking for. Proven to be safe and effective, this procedure plumps up the skin and leaves you looking refreshed and radiant. Learn more when you download our FREE ebook, 10 Truth Bombs about Botox® and Fillers You’ll Be Relieved to Know.