So, it’s no secret that i’ve had injections (both botox and filler), and i get a lot of questions about it from my clients. I thought interviewing Anndrea from Waterloo Medical Cosmetic would be a great opportunity to get information from the proverbial horse’s mouth! A little bit about Anndrea:
My name is Anndrea and I am a Registered Practical Nurse with a background in surgical nursing. My passion for nursing started in the hospital on the inpatient surgical floor. It was there that I gained my medical experience and knowledge. Even though I loved hospital nursing, I always had a passion and curiosity for the field of aesthetics. When I discovered I could combine my love of medicine with aesthetics, it was a no brainer. That is when I decided to further my education by obtaining both my basic and advanced medical cosmetic injectable certifications. These courses served to inspire me to want to learn more, which lead me down the path of continued education. I take a great deal of pride in helping to rejuvenate, and enhance the natural beauty of all my clients! Cheesy as it sounds, I feel such excitement and joy when I see the smiles on their faces and the new sense of confidence it brings them. I truly love what I do!
Toxin vs filler – everyone calls injections botox. Can you clarify the difference? Can you also comment on the different brands? Is there a level of quality between brands that people should be aware of? Botox and dermal filler injections have completely different cosmetic uses. Botox is an excellent product used to prevent lines and wrinkles created by dynamic movement. Dermal fillers are used to create volume, correction, contouring, and enhancement of facial structures such as cheeks, lips, and under eye.
Botox is injected into muscles in the upper portion of the face to prevent lines during dynamic expression. For example, when a person lifts their eyebrows, lines form across the forehead from the muscular contraction. However, when a client is treated with Botox or any other type of Neuromodulator such as Dysport, Xeomin, or Jeuveau, it prevents dynamic lines from forming by preventing the muscles from contracting hard enough to create lines. Results can be very soft and natural, contrary to what the media has portrayed over the years showing fake and overdone stars. Many people are shocked when I tell them I have used Dysport treatments. I have a very natural and refreshed look. At Waterloo Medical Cosmetics, we prefer to use Dysport. It has been clinically proven to take effect quicker than Botox, and we find the effects last longer.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) Dermal fillers are clear gels that are used to temporarily increase volume. They are not permanent fillers. They can be used to replenish volume loss related to aging, correct undereye hollows, define and contour facial features, and to increase volume to achieve fullness in areas such as lips and cheeks. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the skin that provides hydration and fullness. Many people use a combination of toxin and filler treatments to achieve their ultimate look. The combination can create a natural refreshed and rejuvenated appearance. At Waterloo Medical Cosmetics, are goal is to develop a personalized treatment plan for every patient that helps them achieve a very natural appearance. The current trend is enhancing natural beauty.
Not all cosmetic companies are created equal. It is best practice for quality control and safety to only use products that are Health Canada/FDA approved. This means researching to see if the clinic you are using carries reputable brands. These are a few of the more popular reputable companies: Galderma, Allergan, Clarion, Merz, and Prollenium. The product line a clinic chooses is solely the preference of the injector. It is common for injectors to use a combination of products made by different companies. I prefer Galderma products, however I also love products made by Clarion and Allergan. Each product has slightly different properties that can achieve a specific look.
Is there such a thing as too young for injections? Anti-aging skin care can be used earlier on as a preventative, is it the same deal with botox? The youngest an individual can seek cosmetic treatments at Waterloo Medical Cosmetics is 18 years of age. I would argue that it is a bit young to explore cosmetic injectables. However, I am the nurse performing the treatment. I decide who and how I treat a patient based on my knowledge, skill and judgement. If I feel that a treatment is not in the best interest of my client, I will not perform that treatment regardless of age. That is the duty of a responsible and ethical injector.
Neuromodulators such as Botox and Dysport are excellent anti-aging treatments. The treatments work best as a preventative, however can still provide amazing results even if lines have set in. Honestly, the result you will get from one Dysport treatment will far exceed the results from even the highest-grade topical creams and serums on the market. Full results are achieved in two weeks verses months with creams and serums. I would say the biggest allure to these treatments are the quick and effective results for a reasonable expense.
How often should someone expect to have filler done in lips? Cheeks? How quickly does the product dissolve? The rate at which dermal filler dissolves depends on the individual’s metabolism and the unique way their body breaks down the product. More active clients will usually metabolize filler and Botox quicker in comparison to inactive clients. Here’s an approximate timeline: filler used in the cheek, jawline, chin, and under eye tend to last between 18 months to 2 years. Lip filler or filler placed near the perioral area, will last between 6 months to a year. This is because the muscles around the mouth are continuously working, causing the filler to break down quicker.
If someone were to have gone to a nurse injector and absolutely hated what they had done, can it be reversed? Hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal filler can be dissolved. A drug by the name of Hyaluronidase is used to dissolve HA filler. The injector can either use a small amount to correct an issue or use a large amount to fully remove all the filler.
Unlike HA dermal fillers, neuromodulators such as Botox cannot be reversed. That is why I err of the side of caution when I treat a client for the first time. My philosophy is: “I can always add Botox, but I can’t take it out”. I use the first treatment period (two weeks) to determine my clients “master face”. The “master face” is the exact amount of product needed during each treatment to achieve the perfect look. However, if a client experiences a negative outcome, they must wait until the Botox has run its course.
What’s your favourite filler to work with and why? I love working with Restylane by Galderma. Restylane fillers are easy to work with and are very smooth, which reduces the chance of lumps and bumps. In my opinion, they give a beautiful natural result. I really love the quality and versatility of their products
Can you fix wrinkles once they’re deep? Or is there a point of no return? There is definitely a point of no return. During the initial consultation, I assess the client to determine if my services can benefit them or not. Sometimes there is no getting around the fact that surgery is the best or only option to achieve the results the client is expecting. The factors I take into consideration when I am performing my assessment are: skin health and quality, age, extent of volume depletion, depth of lines, strength of muscles, and underlying health issues. It is possible to see improvement in deep lines and wrinkles. However, the client has to have realistic expectations. At Waterloo Medical Cosmetic we paint a realistic picture of what our treatments can provide for our clients. We design a treatment plan together that will address their concerns, as well as answer any questions they may have to ensure that both the injector and client are on the same page.
The question that everyone asks: does it hurt? Some people say they don’t feel it at all, whereas some clients curse during the treatments. It is a very individual experience, and people have different pain thresholds. However, the popular consensus is that Botox treatments do not rank high on the pain scale.
Dermal filler injections are more uncomfortable in comparison to Botox. The pain scale varies depending on the area you are treating. I have had clients fall asleep during filler treatments. Personally, I believe the most uncomfortable injection area is the perioral i.e. lips. If you have ever accidentally bit or hit your lip, you know how much that can sting. Overall, based on my personal experience, the discomfort is worth the results.
Ok — so this was definitely a long post, but i hope you guys got some good nuggets out of it! IG Live coming up with Anndrea next Sunday!!! Drop your burning questions in the comments below, or join us on IG at 9:30pm EST Sunday, March 15, 2020. Can’t wait to see you all there!!