We are kicking off a new blog series here at Sixx Cool Moms called Jenna’s First Time! Jenna Liu, the founder of Sixx Cool Moms, will be trying the latest trends in beauty, fitness, child rearing, and activities; all for your education and amusement! If there is something you would like Jenna to try email info@sixxcoolmoms.com
Hi! I’m Jenna!
First on the docket: Jenna’s First-Time Trying Botox and Fillers!
I am 35-years-old, and although I did not really NEED Botox or fillers (not that anyone ever needs ‘em), I had a few areas of concern on my pretty face that were driving me banana town. A little laugh line here, a little forehead wrinkle there, and most importantly my thin villainous lips, which had always been a sore spot for me. I have almost no upper lip and have always worn lipstick on my teeth (if you were curious, Mac brand Velvet Teddy Deep- Tone Beige* really brings out the white of your incisors).
Actual picture of me before lip fillers
I had toyed with the idea of getting lip filler for over a decade, but was terrified of looking like Kylie Jenner; all lips, and no face. After watching my lips get thinner with each passing birthday, I decided 2020 was the year I was going to take the plunge (no pun intended; Ok maybe a little pun intended). Seriously, it is not as if 2020 could get any worse amiright? If I hated the way the filler looked, I could always go back and have it dissolved using hyaluronidase.
The first step was finding a doctor I could trust. I say doctor, because although there are a TON of talented estheticians out there, I was only comfortable having poison injected near my eyeballs by an actual doctor. I have a friend who in pushing 50 but looks 35 naturally, so I asked her if she had a any work done. She did not look like she had work done, but her skin was simply amazing. I will be honest. “Have you had work done?” is a tough question to ask someone, so make sure you know them well and they won’t be the type to say, “Excuse me, betch? Fuck straight off.” This friend told me she had both Botox and filler (laugh line filler but not lip) and recommended Dr. Anne E. Rothman, from the Center for Cosmetic and Clinical Dermatology.
I booked an initial consultation (cost $75), a fee that is deducted from the treatment if you choose to move forward with a procedure. At the initial visit I met Dr. Rothman, where she asked me to point out areas of concern before having me frown and furrow my forehead and face in several different ways. I felt like a mime practicing looking scared, sad, and surprised.
Since I am only 35, Dr. Rothman suggested ‘Baby Botox,” for my forehead, Restylane for my laugh lines, and Volbella for my lips.
Baby Botox is like regular Botox, but smaller doses for a more natural look. It is perfect for those testing the waters, and for those of us on the younger side who want preventive intervention. I only needed 4 syringes for my forehead and crow’s feet.
Restylane is formulated to act like your body’s own naturally occurring hyaluronic acid, restoring volume to your skin.
Volbella is the newest trend in dermal fillers used to define lips and for the correction of fine wrinkles around the lips. This temporary filler is made of Hyaluronic Acid and does not require a skin test before your injections. The smaller Hyaluronic Acid particle size in Volbella allows your cosmetic injector to treat fine lines without getting a full look in these delicate areas.
I received my Botox a month before the filler due to COVID-19 restrictions regarding mask wearing. The procedure took about 10 minutes, and there was little to almost no pain due to the size of the needles. Check below for my procedure. I sped it up, so you do not have to hear me making inappropriate small needle penis jokes to the doctor.
The Botox took 7 days to set in and will last for 3 months. I felt no pain afterwards, and the downtime was minimal. The only doctor recommendation was to avoid laying down for a few hours. Easy peasey lemon squeezy!
About a month later I went in for fillers. Dr. Rothman gave me a prescription for lidocaine which I applied at home one hour prior to the procedure. Fillers are a little more painful than Botox, but the lidocaine cut down on the discomfort. The filler procedure took about 30 minutes, plus 10 minutes of waiting to make sure I did not have a reaction.
Filler lasts a full 12 months, but the recovery takes longer than Botox. It was about a week before the swelling and bruising went away (seriously the first few days I was full duck lip. It was the only time I was grateful about the mask mandate), and another week before the tightness of the fillers softened.
The end results 2 months later? I LOVE MY FUCKING FACE SO MUCH. I am glad I went, and although it is hella expensive, I will be making sure to include Botox and filler in my normal beauty routine. It makes me happy and that is the only justification this mama needs.
Sorry for the creepy eyes on my before picture…
Costs
Baby Botox is needed every 3 months: $450 (minus $75 for the initial consultation fee)
Fillers are needed once per year: $2,220
Author: Jenna Levine Liu is the Founder & President of Sixx Cool Moms. You can find a Cool Moms chapter by you by visiting our directory.
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