Lets talk Botox and filler.

Lets jump right in and talk all things Botox and filler! I get asked a lot about my lips and if I get lip filler. I am very open with my followers about any enhancements I do, or have had done. I am a believer in the power of Botox, and have shared that I routinely get Botox in my forehead. It is amazing how the slightest bit of Botox can smooth your forehead enough to give you a flawless makeup application. Knowing I was going to speak on this topic, I asked my followers on Instagram if they had any specific questions regarding injectables. Before I share the responses to the questions, I wanted to share my own personal experience.

I am 30, and started getting Botox about a year and a half ago. I am very expressive when I talk, and have a lot of movement in my face. Over the recent years, I started noticing deeper wrinkles starting to set in. Yes, I understand this is normal, and everyone has it, but I wanted a little preventive help. The wrinkles were creasing my makeup and making it settle in the lines. I wanted an over all smoother look.

I now get Botox every 3-5 months. I get anywhere from 14-25 units, depending on how long I go between treatments. Botox and Dysport is sold by the unit, and 1 unit of Botox equals 3 units of Dysport. I usually pay between $12-$15 per unit. Filler is sold per syringe, which is why filler seems more expensive. You have to purchase the entire syringe, not just the exact amount you want.

Some are curious as to how long Botox and filler last. It is so hard to say because people metabolize injectables differently. Some have a better result to different products better than others. Personally, I think I metabolize it a bit faster than the normal person. For example, I tried Dysport, and I personally think I have a longer lasting result with Botox. What I liked about Dysport was how quickly it kicked in. I had it done in the morning and I could feel it kick in that evening! Botox is slower, and takes me 3-5 days before it sets in completely for me. I also noticed that Dysport seemed to have more of a natural, not so frozen look. For that reason, I decided to stick with Botox from now on. If you have a very low pain tolerance, you can choose to use a numbing cream, but I personally do not think Botox in the forehead is painful, so I skip the numbing.

Lets talk filler. I have always had naturally full lips. I have a bigger bottom lip and a smaller upper lip, which is normal. The older you get, it is natural to loose fullness in your lips. Last year, I wanted to give my upper lip a boost, so I decided to give lip filler a whirl. I decided to get 1 syringe of Restylane Refyne. That particular filler is around $600 per syringe. It is unpredictable as to how long filler will last, but this particular one can last up to 16 months, depending on how your body metabolizes it. Lip filler is more painful than Botox in the forehead, so they put a topical numbing cream on my lips. I had 75% of the syringe in my upper lip and 25% in my bottom. At first, when I left, I was freaking out! My lips looked enormous, like I had been stung by a million bees! You should have seen my husbands face! LOL 🙂 I knew the swelling would go down in a few days, and they would balance out. After about a week, my lips looked beautiful and all the swelling had gone away. I loved the fuller look it gave me! Over time, the filler slowly dissolves naturally. Swelling is different for everyone, and using ice afterwards helps.

I went over a year without getting filler, and I noticed my bottom lip was still full, but I wanted a little more in my upper lip to balance it out. I then got half a syringe of Versa. Some places will let you get a half of syringe, and some will require you to purchase the whole. Majority of the population needs the full syringe, so don’t let it scare you. A whole syringe is actually pretty conservative, if fuller lips are your goal. 1 syringe is 1 ml. Here is a great measurement visual.

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Since then, I have had another syringe of Versa put in my lips. Versa is a very natural filler and it gives a softer appearance, in my opinion. I have been very happy with my results. I havent had any lumps or bumps, and my lips still feel very soft. There are a few Juvederm fillers on the market that claim to last longer, but I have never used them. I have heard that the Juvederm fillers aren’t as soft or natural looking. Definitely personal preference and opinion, though! I might try a Juvederm product in the future, just so I can see what works best for me. When getting lip filler, I tell my injector that I want the 50/50 look. Meaning, I like when my upper lip and bottom lip are the same size. I want them to be equally as big. Some prefer a smaller upper and more “pouty” bottom lip. Again, nothing is wrong with either look, just personal preference.

Regardless of what routine you choose, it is SO important to go to a reputable injector. I have heard some awful stories of people choosing a cheap clinic, and they are injected with a fake product. This is no joke, so please do your research!!!! Do not be lead solely on price. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Botox is an Allergan product, so if you need help finding a reputable clinic, visit this website. Experienced injectors are also a must. There are so many risks with wrong placement, too much product, etc. Too much Botox can lead to a dropped and uneven eyebrows. Wrong filler placement can lead to lopsided, uneven lips. No one wants that!

I have trusted Med Spa of Midland with my Botox and filler, and have been more than happy. My injector is Shae, and I trust her technique and opinion. Not only is she the sweetest, she is equally as knowledgeable. The entire staff has been so wonderful. I have had laser tattoo removal, microdermabrasion, and dermaplaning done with other staff members and definitely recommend them! You can visit their website here to see what procedures and services they offer.

I complied a list of questions my readers had regarding injectables.

1. Do lip injections hurt? Yes, they are more painful than Botox, but with proper numbing cream, it is not nearly as bad as you think. They are small pokes, but a lot of times, I don’t even feel them.

2. How much does a syringe of lip filler cost?
  Fillers typically range anywhere between $550 – $900 per syringe. 

3. What is the best filler to use to get bigger lips?
  There are several options to choose from to get the volumized look you desire. Since each patient’s anatomy is different, You can visit with your injector to get their opinion. Your budget can also help decipher which product you choose, since some fillers are more expensive than others.

4. Can you use numbing cream to make it not as painful?
  I definitely recommend numbing cream for fillers, but it is probably not necessary if you’re getting Botox in your forehead. Use ice after lip filler to help with swelling afterward.

5. How long does Botox and filler last?
  Botox can last anywhere between 3-4 months. A filler can last anywhere between 6 months to 2 years depending on which filler is chosen for your desired look, where on the face it is placed, and how quickly your body metabolizes the product.

6. How many units on average would a 25-35 year old woman need in forehead?
  It is different for everyone. Some people want no movement and some people want little more natural movement. Also, sometimes the forehead lines can be stronger and more prominent than others. The average amount can range anywhere between 10 units to 30+units.

7. When should you start using Botox for preventive purposes?
  Most patients typically start using Botox in their mid to late ’20s. It’s possible to benefit from preventative Botox treatments starting as early as 25, but before that, the odds are low that you could have built up enough lines to worry about. 

8. What is the main difference between Botox and Dysport?
  Besides cost, efficacy both Dysport and Botox are considered safe and effective for the temporary treatment of moderate to severe wrinkles.  The effects of Dysport may show up sooner, but Botox may last longer. Dysport is typically best used on patients with mild lines and wrinkles while Botox can treat moderate to deep fine lines.

9. Which is more effective? Botox or Dysport?
This also will depend on each patient’s anatomy, Botox typically lasts longer than Dysport and produces the desired look in fewer sessions. Both Dysport and Botox are considered safe and effective for the temporary treatment of moderate to severe wrinkles. The effects of Dysport may show up sooner, but Botox may last longer.

If you are on the fence about getting any injectables, I hope this helps answer some of your questions. Thank you for reading!!

XOXO,

Lyndsey