I made my bi-annual injectable visit to oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Steven Fagien last week, and always it was an educational, eye-opening (literally) and appearance-improving treat! On the agenda: Lips and toxin injections, which I’ve come to personally refer to as my “fill-and-freeze.” Strategically timed so I’m good to go for my birthday and the holidays, this is one of my favorite days of the year.
With the launch of Jeuveau, the toxin options have expanded since my last visit, so of course learning more than I already know about it (and if it was a good choice for me) was at the top of my list. Dr. Fagien has found that Jeuveau works better for smaller, more targeted areas like the glabellar lines (or “11s” between the brows) and the crow’s feet. Even more, it kicks in faster and may last a bit longer as well. At this point I was sold, and the Jeuveau went into these two areas—and yes, it took full effect within three days!
I also have a very active forehead, which is important to address so my facial expressions don’t always reveal what I’m actually thinking. We discussed Botox versus Dysport and chose the latter for this spot since it tends to diffuse more, which means it spreads out and works better for larger areas. Never one to argue with one of the world’s top injectable experts (no exaggeration here), this was the first time I had different toxins injected in different places, and I am thrilled with the results.
But then things got even more interesting… With the Dysport syringe in hand, Dr. Fagien pointed out that I have a bit of drooping in my left eyelid. (He had mentioned this at my last appointment but we didn’t do anything about it—and miraculously I never fixated on it.) Apparently a teeny-tiny injection in the outer corner of my eyelid would elevate my slightly-lazy left lid and bring it more in line with my right one. (More severe drooping often requires an injection at the inner corner of the eyelid as well.) Although it sounds a little scary, I didn’t feel a thing other than a slightly cold, wet sensation and that was it. (And since no slight imperfection gets past Dr. Fagien, he also put a little Dysport in my chin to relax a minor dimple.)
My lips were also on the appointment’s agenda, and although the numbing injections aren’t exactly comfortable, I couldn’t imagine proceeding without them. After getting marked up with a surgical pen (I don’t even want to know what that looked like) and about 10 minutes of waiting for the anesthetic to kick in (and feeling like my lips were so big that they were flapping in the wind), Dr. Fagien went to work. He injected the top, the bottom, the corners outside my lower lip, my philtrum ridges (those vertical columns that run from your nose to your upper lip), the crease between my lower lip and chin, and probably more—but I didn’t feel a thing so I couldn’t tell you. (I’m fairly certain he did something to smooth my nasolabial folds as well because they are definitely less visible than they were when I woke up the morning of my appointment.) As always, I had zero bruising, even less tenderness than in the past and I barely swelled—which means I still have the lips I was in love with when I left the office with. (Yay!)
The more I go back to Dr. Fagien, the more I appreciate the time he takes to really study my face and discuss the ideal course of treatment that will help me look (and feel) my personal best. I was there for about an hour-and-a-half (which is a rather small time investment for several months of amazing results), and my time with Dr. Fagien is well-spent learning so much about the nuances of different injectables and the latest happenings in the aesthetic world. But perhaps my favorite part is when he says, “You’re going to be so happy” with a giant smile on his face as he heads out the door. And I so am (no makeup, air-dried hair, roots and all)!
