c/cosmetic-procedures

Rant: I just read that 40% of filler procedures are done by people without proper medical training.

I saw this stat in a report from a plastic surgery group in Chicago. It made me think twice about who I let near my face. How do you even check if someone is actually qualified?

Hot take: The 'natural' look at my sister's wedding in Charleston was definitely not natural.

I was a bridesmaid and the makeup artist did this thing where she injected a tiny bit of filler into everyone's lips before applying color, calling it a 'prep step'. My lips felt huge for two days but honestly looked amazing in photos. Has anyone else had a pro sneak a mini procedure into a regular makeup session?

I used to think lip filler was just about size, but my injector in Chicago changed my mind last month

My aunt said I'd regret getting lip filler at 22, and she was right

She told me last year that my face would keep changing and the filler would look off in a few years, but I went ahead and got a full syringe anyway. Now, just over a year later, the shape looks a bit puffy and doesn't fit my natural lip line like it used to. Has anyone else had filler that aged poorly as their face matured?

Heard a mom at the park say her filler dissolved after a bad flu

I was pushing my kid on the swings in Portland last week and overheard two women talking, one mentioned her lip filler vanished after a high fever from the flu. It made me realize I never considered how illness could affect results. Has anyone else had a procedure change or fade faster after getting sick?

I finally got my lips done last month and the swelling just would not go down

It took a full 10 days before I could even think about smiling for a photo. Has anyone else had filler that took way longer than expected to settle?

Just realized my filler migration wasn't just swelling

About two months ago, I noticed a weird little bump above my lip that wouldn't go down. I kept thinking it was just leftover swelling from my last touch-up. My injector in Phoenix finally confirmed it was actually a tiny bit of filler that had moved (which honestly freaked me out a bit). She used a tiny bit of hyaluronidase to dissolve just that spot, and it fixed it right up. Has anyone else had a filler move and needed a correction like that?

I finally went to a big mall in Scottsdale and saw something new

There was a whole new clinic right next to the food court offering free consultations for lip filler. They had a huge sign with before and after photos, and the line was almost all people in their early 20s. It felt way more casual than I expected, like getting a coffee. Has anyone else noticed these pop-up style places becoming more common?

Question about filler migration after a lip job

I was at a friend's wedding in Phoenix and my lip filler started to feel lumpy and move around after a few hours in the sun. I had to discreetly massage it in the bathroom to try and smooth it out, which only helped a little. Has anyone else had filler shift on them during a long event, and what did you do?

Just hit my 100th syringe of filler used on clients this year

I was doing my quarterly inventory count for the clinic and the number really jumped out at me. It made me realize how much more common subtle lip and cheek work has become compared to when I started. Has anyone else seen a big shift in what people are asking for lately?

Looking back at my choice between Botox and filler for my forehead lines

About five years ago, my dermatologist in Tampa gave me the option: start with Botox to relax the muscles or go straight to a hyaluronic acid filler to plump the lines. I picked Botox because it was less money upfront, around $350 for the area. The results were good, but it wore off faster than I hoped, needing a touch-up every four months. Anyone else find they had to switch plans after their first cosmetic procedure?

Tbh, my clinic's new laser machine broke down right before a full day of hair removal appointments.

We had to reschedule 8 clients in one afternoon, and the refunds basically wiped out our profit for the week. Has anyone else had a major piece of equipment just die on them like that?

Dr. Shim Ching vs Dr. Bradford W. Lee for eyelid surgery?

Hey everyone, I'm looking into getting upper eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) here in Hawaii and I've narrowed my choices down to Dr. Shim Ching and Dr. Bradford W. Lee at Oculofacial Plastic Surgery. Has anyone been to either of them? I want someone who specializes in natural results. I don't want to end up looking like a belong on Real Housewives of Honolulu. Any recommendations?