Hi there, friend!
Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty, shall we?
I’ve been getting Botox every 4-6 months since my senior year of college. Does that sound young? Most likely. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Do I love the stuff? Love is an understatement.
(Psst… I couldn’t wait to share this fab deal with you! Use code: FASHIONFRILLS for 10% off of your Botox procedure through March 15th at the Dallas Center for Dermatology and Aesthetics!)
Since I have over 5 years of Botox-use under my belt, I want to give you a peek at the process and share my thoughts with you. A Botox review of sorts. It can be nerve-wracking to give a new procedure a go, especially when needles are involved! I hope that this post is informative and helpful if you’ve been debating whether or not to take the plunge. Plus, I always want to be 100% honest about all-things-beauty, so here it goes!
I’m very excited to introduce you to Dr. Lori Stetler. She’s the best at Botox (Trust me, I would know). I’ve gone to 6 derms in 5 years, and I’m so happy that I’ve finally found “my place” with Dr. Stetler at the Dallas Center for Dermatology and Aesthetics.
Just FYI, I do not use any other injectables or fillers. Botox is it, babes.
So, perhaps you’re wondering why I began Botox at such a young age.
Some people start early for the sake of prevention, but trust me, I really needed it.
My forehead wrinkles have been VERY noticeable since I can remember. I’m extremely expressive so I’m constantly moving my forehead up and down. This has resulted in lines that bug me like crazy. I tried bangs (didn’t work for my face), purchased a smorgasbord of “wrinkle-reducing” serums (whose effects were minimal at best), and I even gave a wacky “Botox-effect-in-a-bottle” product a whirl after seeing it on QVC. It left a chalky finish and only lasted a few hours. (#nobueno)
I raise my eyebrows constantly when I talk and I’ve been told that I smile more often than most. It’s actually one of the traits that I like best about myself. I like to think it’s because I have a cheery outlook on life, but all of the smiles have led to crow’s feet creeping up at an early age. Smiling is most definitely worth the pesky lines (doy), but Botox is a simple solution that keeps my smiles crow’s-feet-free.
*See the photo below for proof of those darn crows. Then check out this blog post that I photographed 1 month post-Botox (look at the 5th photo down) and you can see that they’ve vanished thanks to Dr. Stetler!
Shop the Outfit: Black Mock Neck Dress (Similar Tank Dress that I love HERE) // Faux Leather Jacket (as seen HERE… I’m obsessed with this under $100 find!) // OTK Camel Boots // Leopard Bag // Lippie
When I met with Dr. Stetler, she said that she tends to err on the side of caution and injects on the lighter side. This is always a smart thing to do – as it’s very easy to add a tad more during your follow-up appointment if you desire a stronger effect. If you decide to go all-out right away, you might might end up with a forehead that’s a bit frozen. So ask your dermatologist to start small and add more as needed.
Most people are wary of the procedure due to a fear of pain. Trust me, I understand. I’ve never been a fan of needles. Growing up, my mom would take me to FAO Schwarz to pick out a Barbie after each and every shot. It was my reward. And it made the shot a little less scary. If only this tradition could continue on into adulthood… perhaps with shoes? Hehe.
But, I’m telling you, these are itty-bitty baby needles. It’s not 100% painless, but it’s also not “painful”. It’s just a bit uncomfortable (like a pinch here and there) but the results will have you jumping for joy. At least that’s how happy the results make me! Every time I go, I leave the office feeling like a goofball for being afraid upon arrival. Maybe one day I’ll learn, baha. The best part is that the procedure is super duper quick. It takes about 5 minutes. Quick and easy.
When I had a 9-6 desk job, I would pop on over during my lunch break and then head right back to work after the procedure. I would typically touch up my makeup with some powder post-injection to make sure my face was even. And guess what? No one noticed a thing.
Ready for a before and after? They’re always my favorite part, you agree? ?
Can you believe the improvement between the eyebrows? The frown lines between my brows have virtually vanished. Also take note of the slight “eyebrow lift”. While discussing my wishes with Dr. Stetler I asked for a subtle “brow lift”, and she delivered! I highly recommend asking for this.
To wrap up this blog post, I asked Dr. Stetler to answer some important questions that most first-timers want to know. See below! And feel free to ask any additional questions in the blog comments! ?
Q & A with Dr. Lori Stetler of Dallas Center for Dermatology and Aesthetics
How long does Botox last and when do I begin to see results?
P.S. Don’t forget that you get 10% off of your Botox procedure at the Dallas Center for Dermatology and Aesthetics with code: FASHIONFRILLS // Promo lasts through March 15th!
