My experience with lip injections! (including video)

​A little over a month ago I received lip injections at Aesthetic Essentials of Augusta, GA. I was seen by Rebecca Williford, FNP-BC known to her clients as Botox Becca!
Let me preface this by saying that I have had my lips done one other time, about a year ago. The first time I was nervous about the results, and didn't want a big financial commitment, so I split a syringe with a girlfriend. For those unfamiliar with injections--we did NOT share a needle! Splitting a syringe is sometimes offered at Med Spas and doctor's offices that don't otherwise offer half syringes. The half I received gave me a barely noticeable "plump" which was great, since I was not mentally committed to the idea yet. However, my body absorbed that stuff like a sponge, and in a matter of weeks it was as if it never happened.
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When I decided to try again and commit to a fuller lip I knew that Becca was the only person I wanted to see. Her work and dedicated client base speaks for itself. I've been following her on Instagram for years and was so excited to book an appointment! My request to her was that I wanted visibly fuller lips, but that if someone was seeing me for the first time they would not look at me and think "this chick is using filler".
Now, some important information for you newbies...filler is purchased by the syringe and not by the unit like Botox. The price of a syringe varies by product and provider but you can estimate spending around $700.00-$800.00 on a full syringe. As I previously mentioned there are some places that will offer the option of a half syringe, as well.
Becca was very gracious and allowed me to bring in a "professional" videographer to capture the procedure while it was happening. For the most part I think my 8 year old daughter, did a pretty decent job behind the camera!

​I'm going to address some questions I've gotten over the past few weeks after I posted to Instagram that I was having the procedure done.
1. The pain during the injections is minimal. You will have numbing cream applied before the nurse begins that will help tremendously. I would call the pain level "uncomfortable" or "unpleasant" as opposed to something to be frightened by.
2. Do not expect to be in love with the way you look leaving the office. Depending on your body there is a chance you bleed more than normal or swell quickly. Do not have a panic attack, the bleeding will stop, and the swelling will go down.
3. You will be sore for about a week. In fact, how sore you are will come in waves. You will be the most sore and swollen 6-18 hours after the injections.

​Here is the last part of my appointment. I was given a mini ice pack with instructions to use it throughout the day, and a small container of Aquaphor to slather on my lips for the first 7-10 days as my lips healed. This video is a little shaky, I think maybe my daughter was getting bored with recording me, haha, but in it you'll hear some of Becca's post injection instructions.

Overall, I'm in love with the look that the filler gives me. I feel like the change is subtle, but has still made a huge difference. I don't envision wanting to go bigger, but I know I don't ever want to go back to before. I've been so happy with my results.
If you are in the CSRA and are interested in lip filler, Botox, or other cosmetic procedures I highly recommend the ladies at Aesthetic Essentials. When you schedule your appointment make sure to tell them I sent you!

xoxo, Layne