Going from makeup artist to blogger and Mama, I am no longer just behind the lens, I am now in front of it. One thing that was always present in my mind was that I wanted to be able to smile and still have a top lip. I know, I know…hold the judgement, my life could be worse and these are clearly first world problems! Lip injections and dermal fillers have always been a curiosity to me that I wanted to eventually explore. 

Since I can remember, I would stare into the mirror and use my finger to lift up my top lip. I’d always wanted to see what it would look like to have a bigger top lip. This insecurity of mine became a reoccurring annoyance when I became a blogger & when I became a mom. I take tons and tons of photos, both of myself and with my kids. We are our own worst critic, always. 

Something ever more present- was my forehead wrinkles and my “11 lines”. You know, those lines that form when you make your “the suns in my eyes” or as my husband is familiar with “that’s not funny & you’re in trouble” face. With age comes lines and creases in your skin. It is a way of life, reality is that skin loses its elasticity and our muscles become weaker.

If you’re human; you’re going to end up with wrinkles. Wrinkle prevention can be done by staying out of the sun, using skin protection like sunscreen or hats, avoiding smoking and trying not to make repeated facial expressions.

Let’s be honest, who can refrain from facial expressions? Not this girl!

I am usually quite clear with my expressions & how I am feeling.

#RBF over here! 

Before:

Now let’s get into my experience and what I’ve done for these wrinkles and insecurities of mine. I was lucky enough to begin my first ever journey down injectables/filler lane with my friend Danielle. Danielle is a board certified Nurse Practitioner & injection goddess @dwhitecnp. 

Starting out, I had ZERO knowledge of injectables or fillers. I did as any girl would, I started asking my beauty loving girlfriends. Thanks to my Facebook Beauty Chat babes, I learned about Dysport as opposed to using Botox. Botox was the cult classic that everyone was familiar with. It was what I assumed was the only injectable option. Wrong! In fact, Dysport is one of the most popular aesthetic procedures in the United States! Dysport and Botox are two brand names of a very similar product that do the same thing. It relaxes the muscles that cause wrinkles to form. As Danielle (my injection goddess) stated to me during my consulation, “it is like Coke & Pepsi”. 

With Dysport, results happen 3-5 days after the treatment & commonly last between 3 to 4 months, varying on a case-by-case basis. The consensus from friends was that Dysport still allowed for facial movement and gave a less “frozen” appearance to the face. Decision made, I was going to use Dysport. 

Now something that I don’t blog about or share, but my close family and friends are very aware of is…my fear of needles. Like serious fear! I won’t go fishing with my husband or even be on the boat because the hooks remind me of needles. It is serious y’all. I passed out after getting my belly button pierced, okay?! As you can imagine, I do not have any tattoos because of this. Although my sister is working me down on that one. 

After my consultation time with Danielle where I asked TONS of questions and got ALL my answers and more, we decided on using Dysport and Juvederm Vollure for my lip filler. 

She used a topical numbing mix made of 23% lidocaine and 7% tetracaine to my lips. I will admit, I got a little on my tongue so that was fun. I thought I’d start drooling, but I didn’t. It’s okay, my hubby was there to witness the shenanigans and laugh at me. 

While the numbing cream went to work she did my injections on my face. I chose to do Dysport to the Glabella, Frontalis, Crowsfeet (full upper face) total units used were 150 then Mentalis (chin) total units 18. She had me create expressions to see where to apply the injection. 

To my complete and utter surprise, it was almost completely painless.

The only time that I felt a pressure or period of an uncomfortable feeling was the crowsfeet area. However, it was totally bearable! This was with no numbing cream at all!

Friends and family that were watching as I streamed it live on Instagram were in shock at my reaction or lack there of! I’ll pat myself on the back for that one!

Next up was the lips, we decided on Juvederm Vollure and using 1ml syringe. Now, I was surprised when I saw Danielle whip out 3 needles. WHOA! Hold up! What’s happening?! There was a moment of panic in my eyes I am sure. She explained to me that she takes the amount needed and places them evenly into 3 separate needles to ensure that throughout the process that the needle stays sharp and this perfects the application. Well, okay then, that made total sense. However the thought of 3 sharp needles is what was now perpetuating in my head. 

She began the process and I thought okay this is totally doable. It was a pinch and a pressure. My lips were numb however there was still some feeling. I compare it to my c-section where I was totally numb however you can still feel the pressure of something happening with your body. If you’ve ever had a c-section you’re now nodding along saying “I get you girl”, if not well sit on your hand till it’s numb then poke it with a pencil. Get it now? 

We were all good, then my brain caught up with my body and we needed to take a minute. I got hot, sweaty, saw “the spots” and needed a moment. Danielle was amazingly patient with me on this. My hunky husband jumped to my rescue and began fanning me with a display banner. Danielle explained to me that this was the phil columns area and that area is done to prevent “duck lip”. Enough said.. proceed!  

I drank some water, dribbled it down my chin and shirt in the process, put on my big girl pants and finished. It was manageable, it was my anxiety working it up to be more. A few more moments and she was done! 

My 24 hour results: 

Questions I have been asked:

What happens after the filler dissolves? Do your lips have excess skin? 

The filler is Hylaronic Acid which your body makes. It’s not a foreign body like an implant (of any type). The body gradually metabolizes this meaning your skin can adjust. Unlike an implant, if you remove it, it’s rapid and the body doesn’t have time to fill the void.

What type of numbing cream was used?

Topical, numbing mix made of 23% lidocaine and 7% tetracaine. 

How come you didn’t bruise?

Each person is different and it is your own anatomy. Bruising usually isn’t a reflection of the injector but it can be. Taking arnica tabs 7-10 days before any injectable treatment can help with this. Also pineapple decreases risk of bruising! #funfact

What was your after care?

On and off icing of my lips, I took an antihistamine & applied Image Ormedic constantly.