The Secret to More Comfortable Cosmetic Injections
Minimizing pain and anxiety surrounding botox and fillers.
In some cases, getting uncomfortable can be a good thing; this is when self-growth often happens. But when it comes to cosmetic injections, being uncomfortable is never a good thing. One in four adults have a strong phobia of needles, according to the CDC. And for the rest of us, I think we can agree we still can't say we exactly enjoy needles.
So, if you are curious about introducing cosmetic injections or a new treatment area into your regime, don't let your fear of needles or being uncomfortable deter you. There are several things I can do, as your cosmetic injector in Kelowna, to help ease anxiety and make your treatments more comfortable.
Let’s Talk About Your Concerns
A lot of anxiety comes from a fear of the unknown. So, the best way to combat any fears surrounding your cosmetic injections is through education. During your consultation, we will talk about your concerns, treatment options and the exact steps of your treatment. During your consultation, I’ll also provide pre and post injection guidelines that will help you prepare for a more comfortable recovery process.
Pre-Injections
Avoid certain substances to minimize bruising (including alcohol, Advil, Aspirin, Aleve, Omega 3, fish oil, Vitamin E, and garlic).
Plan treatments with big events in mind leaving a minimum of two weeks between your injection appointment and significant events.
Consult with your family doctor when introducing anything new into your regime.
Be aware of your allergies and inform your injector about them.
Post-Injections
Avoid lying down for 4-6 hours post-treatment (this helps prevent the migration of the product). Try to sleep on your back for the first two weeks.
Animate your facial muscles as normal after neuromodulator to help the product spread naturally.
Avoid applying excessive pressure on the treated area (be gentle when washing your face, skip makeup if possible, and avoid touching your face). You can resume your normal skincare and makeup routine gently after the next day.
Ice the treated area. You can do this for ten minutes on and off to minimize swelling and bruising.
Continue avoiding blood thinners for at least 24 hours post-treatment to decrease the risk of swelling and bruising.
Do not elevate blood pressure for 24 hours. This means avoid exercise, hot baths, saunas, and anything that might raise your body temperature.
Do not book massages, facials or visits to the dentist for two weeks.
Stay hydrated as drinking plenty of water post-injection helps decrease bruising and promotes healing.
I will never pressure you to go ahead with a treatment if you are not 100 percent comfortable doing so. For some patients, booking a consultation on a separate day from their actual treatment helps them mentally prepare. For others, delaying the treatment only causes further anxiety. Ultimately, the choice is yours and I am here to support you, whatever that looks like for you.
Customizing Your Visit
Please never hesitate to ask for something that will make your cosmetic injections more comfortable. If I can, I will accommodate. Whether your security blanket is having a friend sit with you to hold your hand or turning up Taylor Swift, let’s make your injections as comfortable as possible.
To make treatment more comfortable, there are many options. Icing, numbing cream, and squeezing a stress ball can all be helpful. I can explain exactly what I’ll be doing at each step of the treatment, keep your mind off the treatment with a good catch-up or allow you to zone into your favourite show or playlist. If you are prone to feeling faint, I recommend bringing a snack, I also keep juice boxes on hand to have post-treatment. If you are brand new to injections, you may want to avoid a hectic schedule post treatment. Plan to spend the remainder of the day taking it easy and following your post care instructions thoroughly.
Optimized Techniques
For additional physical comfort, always choose an experienced provider with the techniques and knowledge necessary for safe, comfortable injections. As a Naturopathic Doctor, I have an additional understanding of facial anatomy that assists in how I approach cosmetic injections. For example, depending on the treatment area, I may opt for using a cannula instead of a traditional needle.
Cannulas are designed with blunt tips, unlike the sharp tips of traditional needles, which significantly reduces the chance of puncturing blood vessels during the injection process. This design allows cannulas to gently push aside the vessels rather than piercing through them, thereby minimizing the risk of vascular occlusion or the introduction of fillers into the bloodstream. This leads to not only a safer treatment but a more comfortable one as using a cannula reduces the required injection points. This approach also significantly lowers the chances of bruising and swelling, making the recovery process smoother and more comfortable.
On the left, a traditional injection needle. On the right, a cannula.
Comfortable Cosmetic Injections in Kamloops, Kelowna and Vernon, BC
I hope that integrating some of these coping strategies during your next cosmetic injection treatment can help make the experience more enjoyable. The best way to help ease your anxiety surrounding cosmetic injections is to book your consultation at any of my six locations across Kamloops, Kelowna and Vernon, BC. During this initial meeting, we will review your questions and concerns and develop a treatment plan you are confident in. There is never any pressure to go through with a treatment with me if you aren't 100 percent comfortable proceeding.
