What To Expect When You're Expecting
The Beginner’s Guide on how to prepare and what to expect at your first appointment
As I walked into my first appointment, I was super nervous! The idea of a needle poking me in the face and watching it sink into my skin with a pinching sensation was unsettling. The entire thought of an injection was cringeworthy. However, for beauty, I knew the results from the injections would be worth it. Since “everyone was doing it”, it couldn’t be that bad right?!
I always wanted fuller lips and a smoother forehead so I searched online for “Botox and Fillers Hamilton” and came upon the Monaco Medical Aesthetics facility. Based on my research and Monaco’s online reviews, it looked like a clinic that would deliver the results I desired . I did a lot of research prior to my appointment. It’s important to read through the reviews and see the before and after pictures of the clinic to ensure your aesthetic philosophies are in line with each other; this will also help with determining your realistic expectations of the results.
In addition to researching the clinic, I felt it was important to do my part to best prepare for the optimal injection outcomes. I read up on pre-care instructions and abided by them leading up to my appointment day. Monaco also sends you a pre-care instruction email with your appointment confirmation email.
Because post-procedural swelling is to be expected, and can vary depending on which area is being injected, I took these steps prior to my procedure to aid in bringing down the swelling and minimizing possible bruising. Here are the steps that I followed to ensure the best outcomes for my cosmetic procedure:
Minimize alcohol consumption for a minimum of 24 hours prior to injectable treatment. Alcohol can thin the blood making it easier for bruising to occur. It is best to avoid alcohol for a minimum of 3 days prior to injectable treatment.
Stop all NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications) such as aspirin, Advil, Aleve, Nuprin, Bufferin, Ibuprofen, etc. Ideally refrain from the NSAIDS at least 3 days in advance if possible. Tylenol is OK to use.
Stop all herbal supplements such as fish oil, ginkgo, ginseng, St. John’s Wort, garlic pills, etc. (a multi-vitamin is ok to continue).
Start taking oral arnica montana prior to the procedure. Arnica montana is a natural supplement which helps to reduce swelling and bruising. Starting the supplement the day prior to the procedure and continuing after the procedure is recommended.
Avoid salty foods a few days before and after the treatment as excess sodium causes the body to retain water, which in turn can worsen swelling.
Avoid any depilatory treatments (hair removal, such as tweezing, waxing, etc.) for a minimum of 2 days prior to the treatment. Tell your provider if you are planning any chemical peel treatments or laser treatments as this may cause possible irritation at the treatment site.
With all my research, I felt prepared and equipped to take on the cosmetic injections appointment. I was told that a dermal filler appointment would take around 30 minutes to an hour on average to complete and Botox injections would take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes to complete an appointment. Here’s how my Monaco experience went:
“I wish I had done cosmetic injections sooner and not waited so long out of fear.”
Setting
I was greeted by a receptionist who took me to a clean and modern room, playing relaxing yet upbeat music. All the staff I encountered at Monaco smiled and greeted me, I was offered refreshments and directed towards the washroom if I needed to use it. The entire aesthetic of the clinic is white, modern, feminine and minimalistic making me feel very glamorous and well taken care of. The lighting was bright with many ring lights to illuminate the venue and to ensure bright lighting to properly assess my face. I did not have to wait long before meeting my nurse Harzin. She was beautiful, kind, happy, compassionate and had a calming way about her to ease my nerves.
Information
Harzin guided me to a white chair to sit down. Once seated, I was given a mirror to explain what my facial desires and concerns were. I showed her photos of the type of lip shape and size that I liked to give her an idea of what I wanted to achieve. She explained the risks and side effects of cosmetic injections, giving me honest answers to all my questions. She went over a price quote with me to ensure I would be within my budget. She reviewed my health history with me and thoroughly explained the post-care instructions to me. She showed me some realistic lip results of her own work with before and after comparisons. She drew up the injection products in front of me and explained to me what she was doing while she was doing it. This helped to educate me and make me feel comfortable and in control of the situation. After answering all of my questions, I filled out the necessary paperwork and we began.
Physical Comfort
Prior to my injections, Nurse Harzin gave me the option of icing my lips or applying numbing cream to reduce tenderness. She reassured me that there was a numbing agent in the dermal fillers so I would feel more comfortable as the treatment went on. I opted to only ice my lips because I would be able to talk and move my lips earlier post injections. While the treatment was being performed, Nurse Harzin would let me know when she was going in with the needle and ask how I was doing to ensure I was okay. This helped me to stay calm and feel in control during my treatment. However, very quickly into the injections, I realized I couldn’t even feel the needle at all. The lip injections itself only took around 10 minutes to do from start to finish and the Botox only took around 30 seconds to complete! After our consultation was completed, I was offered a numbing cream to reduce the discomfort.
Overall, I wish I had done cosmetic injections sooner and not waited so long out of fear. I had a great experience! I learned so much about this new realm of beauty and can honestly say that I have developed a newfound confidence since my lip filler and Botox treatment at Monaco. I can’t wait for my next treatment!
