Frequently Asked Questions
Neuromodulators/Tox/Botox/
1) Is Botox dangerous?
Every "tox" product used in aesthetics is Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) which is a purified neurotoxin derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Injections aren't dangerous if they're performed by a qualified technician, and the product stays localized only to the specific muscle targeted. However there can be effects like temporary pain, swelling, bruising, or redness. Headaches are common, but mild.
2) Will I look frozen?
The "frozen face" effect is not inherently a result of Botox; it typically happens due to over-treating or heavy dosing. We never use too much product in a single area or across the entire face. Improper placement can become an issue from injecting muscles without accounting for individual facial anatomy and how different muscles work together. You can have undesirable results if a one-size-fits-all approach is used; only applying standard unit counts instead of a personalized treatment plan.
3) How long does it last?
Typically, neurotoxin products last between 3-4 months, with variability based on how long that product has been used and how much resistance may have been built over time. If antibodies are formed and resistance is evident, we may need to try a different neurotoxin or take a break from treatments.
Dermal + Lip Fillers
1) What are fillers made of?
Most popular temporary fillers use hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally found in the skin that retains moisture and volume. Cross-Linked HA forms a stable, thicker gel that resists natural enzymatic breakdown, allowing it to persist in the body for 9 to 12 months. These are your dermal and lip fillers. The more cross-linking the thinker and longer lasting the filler. Natural or non-Cross-Linked HA acts as a fluid, linear chain that breaks down quickly (within 1–2 days) and is used primarily for surface hydration, skin boosters, and creams. An injectable version of this is Skinvive.
2) How long does filler last?
Lip Fillers typically last between 6 to 12 months depending on the specific product and individual metabolism. Facial / Cheek / Jawline Fillers generally last longer, ranging from 12 to 18 months.
3) Can it be dissolved?
Unlike permanent silicone implants, or calcium hydroxylapetite fillers, hyaluronic acid fillers can be safely dissolved using an enzyme called hyaluronidase (Hylenex) if you are unhappy with the outcome. Sometimes older remnants of filler need to be dissolved in order to replace volume with a fresh product.
4) I don't want to look fake, how can that be prevented?
It's all about subtle enhancement. Natural-looking results depend heavily on conservative dosing (often starting with 1 syringe or less) and precise anatomical placement rather than overfilling.
Skin Regeneration
1) How many treatments do I need?
This depends on the product and how much skin damage and/or laxity, fat loss or bone mass has been lost. Aging is a multifactorial process, so treating every dimention of that process is important. In a general sense, if you're over 30 years old a more intensive treatment like microneedling, RF microneedling or a deep peel is needed at least every quarter or bimonthly. If you need more regeneration from aging or fat loss, a biostimulant is typically necessary and that involves 2-3 sessions per year, spaced 30 days apart. For larger scale weight loss generally a biotstimulant treatment is needed for every 10 lbs lost.
2) How do I know what's right for me?
You've come to the right place! We do a comprehensive, individualized assessment and treatment plan based on your precise needs. We match your specific biological skin goals with how different bio-stimulating modalities work. Unlike traditional fillers or relaxers that temporarily mask aging, regenerative options work by waking up your body’s natural collagen, elastin, and cellular repair processes. Generally, for fine lines, rough texture, and general photoaging we love microneedling + PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma), which use your blood's growth factors to refresh surface quality. For under-eye hollows or delicate area rejuvenation, we use PRP or PDRN. For deeper volume loss, facial deflation, or structural sagging (cheeks/temples) we use biostimulators like Sculptra (PLLA) or Radiesse (CaHa), which signal your body to rebuild deep structural collagen over time. For pigmentation or melasma, exosomes or Secretomes applied alongside microneedling to direct cellular repair is best!
3) How long does it take to see results?
This depends on the product and how much of that product was used. With Sculptra it can take 3-4 months, but a bit faster if more than 1 vial is used per session. Radiesse takes roughly 3-4 weeks to see improvement. Microneedling can be as soon as 2-3 weeks but RF microneedling can be 4-6 weeks. Will most regenerative treatments, skin continues to improve over a year or more! Think of it as going to the gym, the more you go the more fir you'll get :)
Piercing
1) How long does it take to heal?
Healing times range drastically: earlobes and septum piercings heal relatively quickly (a few weeks to a couple of months), whereas cartilage and nipple piercings can take 6 months to over a year or two.
2) How do I clean it?
Soap and water is best, at least once a day. Then saline or hypochlorous acid sprayed on it twice per day for several weeks. Never use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide as they can both damage the skin and remove too much good bacteria needed for healing. Never twist the piercing either. We give a full aftercare sheet along with directions for what to do in case the piercing gets infected.
3) Do you use a needle or a gun?
We always use a single-use, sterile needle and never a gun. Piercing guns cause blunt Force Trauma, which also tears and crushes the skin rather than piercing it cleanly, leading to more pain, severe swelling, bruising, and longer healing times. They also cause cartilage damage (such as the helix or nose) which can be especially dangerous. The brute force can cause cartilage to fracture or shatter, leading to permanent lumps, severe scarring, and chronic inflammation.
4) What's the youngest kiddo you'll pierce?
We pierce kiddos' ears as young as 5, as long as a parent is present and provide identification. We use numbing gel and special distraction tools to help kids feel more at ease. We can also do a tandem piercing where two practitioners pierce at the same time, this way the pain is over and done faster!