Straight answers, from an injector.

First-time patients

• What should I expect from my first filler appointment?Expect a real conversation before any product is chosen, numbing, treatment that usually takes under an hour, and immediate swelling that is not your result.
• What should I expect from my first Botox appointment?Expect a conversation about what bothers you, an assessment of how your face moves, a conservative first dose, and treatment that takes only a few minutes.

Botox and neuromodulators

Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, and why the name matters less than you think. What they have in common, where they genuinely differ, and why comparing injectors on price per unit tells you almost nothing useful.

• Will Botox make me look frozen?No, not if it is dosed and placed for your face.
• Can Botox look natural?Yes.
• Can I keep movement with Botox?Yes.
• How long does Botox last?For most people it lasts about three to four months, though the range is genuinely wide.
• When does Botox start working?Most people notice the first change within three to five days, and the full effect settles at about two weeks.

Filler

Filler isn't one thing. Different products behave differently in different tissue. But where it goes, and why, matters far more than which box it came out of.

• How long does lip filler last?Commonly six to twelve months, though the range is wide and lips tend to break filler down faster than most other areas.
• How long does swelling last after filler?Swelling usually peaks in the first 24 to 48 hours, settles substantially within one to two weeks, and finishes at about four weeks.

Choosing a treatment

• Botox or filler, which one do I actually need?They solve different problems.

Facial balancing

Your face changes shape, not just texture. Bone, fat pads, and skin all age on their own timelines. That's why great skincare alone sometimes isn't touching the thing that's actually bothering you.

• What is facial balancing?Facial balancing means treating the face as a whole rather than one feature in isolation.

Consultations

• What should a good consultation include?A good consultation starts with what bothers you rather than what you want to buy, includes an assessment of your face at rest and in movement, covers risks and realistic limits in specific terms, gives you a full cost, and leaves you free to go home and think about it..
• What should I ask my injector?Ask what they would leave alone, how much movement you will keep, what the full cost is including follow-up, what the plan is if you do not like it, and how to reach them if something concerns you.

Choosing an injector

How to spot a good result from an obvious one. What natural actually means once you're in the chair, and the specific thing to look for in anyone's before and after photos.

• How do I choose an injector?Judge the consultation, not the price.

Weddings and events

• How far before a wedding or event should I get Botox?Treat at least two to four weeks before the event, so the result is fully settled and there is time to adjust.
• How far before a wedding or event should I get filler?Allow at least four to six weeks.

Aftercare

• What is the aftercare for Botox?Stay upright for about four hours, avoid rubbing or massaging the treated area for the rest of the day, and skip strenuous exercise until the next day.
• What is the aftercare for filler?Leave the area alone, ice gently, and skip strenuous exercise, alcohol, and heat for about 24 hours.

How Sally treats

• Why can less treatment look better?Because people notice change, not volume.