Lip Filler, Botox, and Nasolabial Folds Filler: What You Need to Know About These Cosmetic Procedures
Maybe she’s born with it, maybe it’s filler and botox. That’s how the saying goes, right?
Well, I’ll be honest, in my case it’s the latter and I refuse to feel shame around it or hide the process from you. The fact is that millions of women (and men) get these cosmetic procedures done every single year.
Here’s the thing though, you’re probably not even aware that the people around you (whether in face to face interactions or on social media) are getting these procedures done because in most cases they are so beautifully mastered that it literally looks like they woke up like that.
When I shared on Instagram stories that I would be documenting this process, I warned you that if I chose not to bring you along, chances are that you wouldn’t even notice that I got anything done. Now, take a look at my before and after photos below. Was I right?
*To keep my journey as unfiltered as possible, I never do editing touchups (skin smoothing, blemish removal, etc) in any of my photos.
Lip filler, botox, and nasolabial folds filler can be extremely subtle! You know that popular Instagram filter on stories that you use and love? It’s basically like adding one of those to your face in real life.
Okay, now that we’ve established that high-quality filler and botox (done with the right Doctor) won’t give you duck lips or a frozen, expressionless face, let’s move on to the process itself.
STICK AROUND UNTIL THE END OF THE POST FOR A DISCOUNT CODE TO GET YOUR OWN COSMETIC PROCEDURES DONE WITH O’DONNELL VEIN AND LASER!
I was fortunate enough to get an appointment with Dr. Kelly O’Donnell of O’Donnell Vein and Laser. Dr. O’Donnell is a board certified vein specialist with an extensive medical background, whose focus is on providing pain-free solutions and ensuring the comfort of her patients. She earned her medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, completing her internship in general surgery at the University Hospitals of Cleveland and her residency in anesthesiology and critical care at Johns Hopkins Hospital. They currently have 2 offices, one located in Annapolis (my hometown) and the other in Easton.
The reason that I personally chose O’Donnell Vein and Laser is because of their experience and beautiful results with nasolabial folds filler. I had been introduced to them by word of mouth and after digging into the before and after photos of botox, lip filler, and nasolabial folds filler, I felt confident that they could meet all of my needs and address my “problem areas”.
INITIAL CONSULTATION AND AREAS OF CONCERN:
During our initial consultation, I mentioned that I had never gotten botox or nasolabial folds filler. I had, however, gotten lip filler about 4 years prior and loved it. I have always been self-conscious of my smaller lips, especially my top lip when I smile. Additionally, over the years I had grown to notice a wrinkle (or fold) surrounding my smile that would cause my makeup to crack no matter what expensive primer or setting spray I used.
I had also done my research on preventative botox and knew that it was something I wanted to start in my late 20s. Preventative botox is “a method of using Botox to prevent the formation of static lines which will become more apparent and progress to deep lines during the aging process if not treated” (Glamour Magazine).
As someone who has spent a lot of time in the sun and neglecting my skincare regime in my teenage years and early 20s, I noticed that small wrinkles were starting to form across my forehead and around my eyes.
PREPARING FOR PROCEDURES:
Q: Is there anything I should do to prepare for lip filler, botox, and/or nasolabial folds filler before my appointment?
There is nothing specifically that you need to do to “prepare” for these type of cosmetic procedures. The only thing I would recommend is doing some research on how you would like your lips to look/how full you want them so that the Doctor can determine how much product will be needed.
In regard to what not to do: do not wax, bleach, tweeze, or use hair removal cream on your face or around your lip area for at least a few days before getting botox and fillers because it may lead to problems with healing, infection, or inflammation.
Q: Should I take any pain medication (ex. aspirin/advil) beforehand?
No, you should not take any Aspirin, Motrin, or Advil for 1 week before and after injections; these are blood thinners and may increase bruising.
Q: Should I come in free of makeup and beauty products?
Yes, on the day of your procedures you want to come in with no makeup or skincare products on your face to avoid any problems with healing, infection, or inflammation.
Q: Will it hurt?
In regards to botox, the needle used is so thin that I didn't feel it at all without any prior numbing. Of course, this may vary from person to person based on your pain tolerance.
For lip filler, you have the option to use a numbing cream for up to an hour. I recommend doing this if you don’t want to feel the needle during the procedure. Personally, I numbed for the full hour and, while it felt strange to not feel my lips, I was thankful that the only sensation I had during the procedure was a tiny pinch here and there.
Q: How long does a consultation/procedure take?
Typically, a consultation takes about 10-15 minutes, depending on how confident the patient is with what they are looking for. After numbing for about 45 minutes-1 hour, the combination of the 3 procedures discussed above take about 15-20 minutes total.
THE EXACT PROCEDURES I GOT DONE AND THE PRICING:
Botox 30 units placed around glabella and frontalis (forehead) = $420
(Glabella and Frontalis can range from $420-$560)
Botox 4 units placed around eyes = $56
(Crows feet can range from $28-$448, depending on how strong the muscles are in those areas)Restylane Refyne 1 syringe used in nasolabial folds = $750
(Nasolabial folds can range from $650-$1500)Restylane Kysse 1 syringe used in top and bottom lips = $750
(Lips can range from $425-$1500)
In regards to pricing, I believe that you get the quality that you pay for. When it comes to anything on your face, I highly encourage you to make the investment in quality since it is something you are looking at/putting forward to others every single day.
Consider how long filler and botox last and divide the cost by the number of months. When you look at it like that, you’ll most likely realize that you are spending that amount of money right now on things you don’t appreciate half as much (like eating out or taking Ubers, for example).
HOW I RECOVERED FROM THE PROCEDURES:
I hesitate to write “recovery” because that word makes it sound so serious and intense. Of course, everyone’s experience with filler and botox will be different. However, for me, I didn’t have any swelling or bruising at all until about 2 hours after I left Dr. O’Donnell’s office.
The numbing cream wore off about 10 minutes after I left the office and Sam and I even met my sister and her boyfriend at lunch downtown afterwards. I had a cocktail and ate a huge burger with no pain at all. About an hour after dinner was when my bruising was at its peak, but it still wasn’t very noticeable and could have been easily hidden by wearing lipstick (or a mask).
I did not experience any scarring, permanent bruising, or swelling in the areas that Dr. O’Donnell worked on.
When it comes to caring for your lips after filler, make sure that you keep your lips hydrated so they do not crack while healing. You can do this by using chapstick or a lip mask during the day and at night. I currently use Avashine Lip Rescue Collagen Nursing Lip Mask.
In regards to skincare and makeup after botox and nasolabial folds filler, I don’t believe any mainstream products to be off-limits. I currently use Sunday Riley Good Genes for evening skincare, and Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation as my main full-face makeup product.
The after photos above demonstrate my results after 26 days. However, I documented the entire process in between on Instagram stories; head to my highlight labeled “Botox and Filler” for the entire journey.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q: How long does botox last?
Botox can last anywhere from 3 to 6 months, however the lines and wrinkles often appear less severe with time because the muscles are shrinking.
Q: How long does filler last?
Specifically with Kysse, the product that I used, you should have results for up to 1 year. The benefits of getting Kysse over other fillers is that it is long lasting, adds volume to the lips, smooths wrinkles around the mouth, and integrates into the skin for natural expression in motion.
Q: Can I get my lips filled bigger than yours if I want?
Yes, you can absolutely request more filler than I got if you like. Personally, I wanted a very natural look. I am happy with how full my lips now are without being over-the-top for the frame of my face. I recommend bringing your Doctor a few photos of the result you are looking for when you go to your consultation appointment.
Q: At what age should I start getting preventative botox?
This answer varies from person to person depending on sun exposure, facial expressions, skincare regime, etc. However, beginning preventative botox is most common in those in their late 20s.
Q: If I start now, will I have to keep getting botox and filler forever?
To put it simply, no. Your face will essentially go back to the way it was before botox and filler. As I mentioned in the beginning of this post, I had a 4 year break in between getting lip filler and, while I’d like to keep up with the procedure to keep my lips looking full this time around, I didn’t notice any negative affects of stopping for that period of time.
In regards to botox, you may even continue to reap the benefits of your past injections. "Many people fear that their faces will become dramatically wrinkled when they stop Botox. If you choose not to continue…those muscles staying out of use while Botox is active can delay the aging process; it reduces movement when injected, slowing the formation of wrinkles," Farber explains. In other words, your skin won't develop lines overnight to make up for lost time—you'll still enjoy looking years younger relative to your age, depending on how long you kept a Botox regimen” (Byrdie).
Get 15% off any cosmetic treatment with the code “LIFESTYLE15” when booking an appointment with O’Donnell Vein and Laser! *Must be a new patient to be valid*
*The cosmetic procedures discussed here were gifted to me by O’Donnell Vein and Laser. This does not influence my honest review on the procedures in any way.
Have you gotten cosmetic procedures done before? Tag me in your before/after selfie or comment on my latest post and tell me!
Lastly, do you want some inbox love? Get the special treatment: exclusive content, sales I'm loving, new blog posts, social media, & more. Join our email list now!
xo Anna Elizabeth