Hi lovelies, happy Saturday! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday if you are US based and if not, I hope you’re just having a really awesome holiday season! If you follow along on my podcast, Podcast Rewind, with my BFF Amie then you heard a few weeks ago we attended at Bubbles and Botox party. We, being of the “30s” age, are definitely skincare conscious and are always look at new and innovative ways to stay looking young…especially when you’re still single. Our anxiety can play mean tricks on us and sometimes I think “Is this tiny fine line keeping me from finding love?” No, you’re not finding love because it’s slim pickins in Orlando, toots.
But, with that being said I have started to think about taking the next step in my skin care routine and attended the Bubbles and Botox party as a spectator. Oh, is watching people getting needles injected into their face not a spectator sport? Well, agree to disagree but I was having the time of my life sipping on champagne and seeing how this magic went down. The wine was flowing, the Botox was freezing and all were having a good time but I had more questions that I needed to get answered and I knew exactly who to talk to.
Introducing, Cara Wicker, an Aesthetic Nurse from North Carolina who I just happened to have known since my middle school days. Cara kindly answered a handful of my questions because I can’t be alone right? There are so many beauty bloggers and skin care YouTubers out there that some of these questions can get lost because it takes a professional to break down the world of medical grade skincare! Oh, and be forewarned if you are going to follow Cara on Instagram you’re going to need to know a few things:
- She’s aging backward. Honestly, this chick looks stunning and her dedication to medical grade skincare shows in all of her makeup-less selfies!
- She made the cutest stinking kids! Honestly, a mutual friend of ours will text me “Damnit, her kids are SOO cute!”
- Cara is dedicated and really enjoys helping other women learn about skincare and look their best. If that isn’t #womenhelpingwomen then I don’t know what is!
I’m not a huge fan of the Q&A type of blog post but guys this is medical stuff and I do NOT want to misquote Cara so I hope these questions/answers help you out as you continue to weight the option of To Botox, or Not to Botox!
What exactly does an Aesthetic Nurse do?
Aesthetic nurses perform and assist with a number of different aesthetic procedures under the supervision of an M.D. Some procedures an aesthetic nurse may perform include laser hair removal, laser skin treatments, microneedling, administration of medical grade peels, tattoo removal, noninvasive body sculpting procedures and the administration of injectable neurotoxins ( Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin) and placement of injectable hyaluronic acid fillers (Juvéderm, Restylane, etc.).
How did you get into Aesthetic Nursing?
I earned my ADN at Cabarrus College of Health Sciences. After graduating, I worked in a cardiac unit for a couple of years before becoming a neonatal nurse. While I was there, I completed my BSN at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. A couple of years ago, I was working as a neonatal nurse and was approached with an opportunity to become a Botox apprentice under my town’s most well-known aesthetic doctor who has been injecting for 18 years. Dr. Castillo specializes in natural results and is an absolute artist and amazing instructor. I would be crazy to not jump on the opportunity! I was sad to leave the world of neonatal nursing but beyond excited to enter into this field-I had no reservations when I decided that I wanted to learn the complex art of injectables.
Tell me more about the team at De Novo Aesthetics.
De Novo Aesthetics is the sister-business to M.D. Laser Studio in Mooresville, NC. Currently, we have six nurse injectors, two brick, and mortar locations and offer Botox (and other neurotoxins upon request), medical-grade skincare, medical-grade peels, microneedling, and hyaluronic acid fillers. One of the unique aspects of our business is that each treatment is overseen by Dr. Appleton and Dr. Castillo via the use of telemedicine. We are fully mobile so I can treat a patient in their home, at an event, or at one of our boutique locations in Charlotte.
Dr. Castillo and Dr. Appleton offer weekend training courses to other medical professionals. Our training started with taking that course, numerous hours reviewing photos and anatomical considerations to learn dosing, shadowing Dr. Castillo during treatments, spending many more hours practicing injections on a dummy and then eventually practicing on patients. To say our training is thorough is an understatement. Dr. Castillo and Dr. Appleton have made it a point to impart every bit of knowledge they have learned from their years of experience.
What is Botox and how should it be used?
Botox, or onabotulinumtoxin A, is the purified protein byproduct of the bacteria that causes botulism. Botox blocks nerve activity in the muscles. In the aesthetic world, we are using Botox to decrease movement in the muscles that cause wrinkles to form.
Botox should only be administered after a thorough health history is reviewed by a doctor. It is then injected with tiny needles, straight into the muscles that are responsible for wrinkles. Within 10 days, the Botox kicks in and movement in the muscles is reduced. Botox lasts on average, three months.
Baby Botox, is a trend that is becoming more popular. For the younger patients whose focus is wrinkle prevention and training their muscles not to be overactive and cause wrinkles, micro-doses of Botox are administered. Because most often they can be treated with less, it is very affordable and a great form of wrinkle prevention.
What are fillers and how should they be used?
Hyaluronic acid fillers are used to address volume loss in the face. Common areas include tear troughs to correct “tired looking eyes”, lips, nasolabial folds, and cheeks. Other areas that fillers are used include the temples, nose, chin, jawline, hands and even “necklace” lines.
Why should someone absolutely see a professional for Botox/Fillers as opposed to a Groupon ad?
Cheap Botox is never good and good Botox is never cheap! It’s important to know who’s injecting it, where it is coming from, what are their credentials, how is the medicine being handled, etc. Aside from that, if an inexperienced person is injecting the Botox, there is a chance that they may dose incorrectly or place the dose incorrectly and cause three months of droopy brows or facial asymmetry.
Botox and fillers are both a science and an art. Dosing and placement should be precise and depend on each individual’s anatomy and personal goals. It is so important to go to someone who is experienced. Get a consult, ask for before and after [photos] and know your goals ahead of time.
What misconceptions are out there about Botox and fillers?
The biggest misconception is that Botox and fillers will make you look fake. The best work goes unnoticed. The first time that I had filler placed by Dr.Castillo, I remember friends telling me that I looked refreshed and well rested but nobody could pinpoint any changes about me. It blew their mind that I had gotten filler in my tear troughs!
The next is a misconception about Botox. Some people say, “once you start, you can’t stop.” That is not true. I know some people that get it religiously four times a year. I know others that only get it once or twice a year or for special occasions to look more refreshed. I know others who get their forehead treated all the time but crow’s feet treated every once in a while. Yes, getting treated quarterly is going to be best for wrinkle prevention but it’s not absolutely necessary.
One more misconception is that you can buy a topical product and get the same results as a neurotoxin such as Botox. I consider high-quality skincare and Botox a power couple. They work well together but they do not work in the same ways. Skincare applied topically does not cause the wrinkle-causing muscles to weaken as Botox does.
What are other kinds of skin treatments that you recommend that are not as ‘needlesque’ as Botox/Fillers?
If a person is new to medical aesthetics I may suggest they start with a peel and a good medical-grade skincare regimen. Although it is needlesque, microneedling with PRP (platelet-rich plasma) is amazing for skin texture and tone as well as helping new collagen to form. My favorite non-ablative laser treatment is laser toning, I love the way that it makes my skin feel and glow almost immediately after a session!
If someone is not ready for Botox, what would you suggest for achieving that youthful appearance?
One of the first things I learned from Dr. Castillo is that there are five areas to assess in an aging face. These include discoloration, laxity, asymmetry/imbalance, volume, and texture. There are a number of laser treatments out there depending on the patient’s skin type according to the Fitzpatrick scale, as well as the patient’s concerns and goals. Some laser treatments have zero downtime and others you may expect to have a week or two of downtime.
If someone wasn’t interested in Botox, I would say that medical-grade skincare and consistent use of SPF is important. A lot of patients love microneedling with PRP because it naturally causes collagen production.
How would you suggest someone find the right aesthetic nurse/location?
Scheduling a consultation is a great start. Read reviews, make phone calls, ask questions. At the consultation, you should get pictures, talk out concerns and desires, and see before and afters from the provider.
What are your personal skincare tips for post-injection and for skin health in general?
I try to keep my skincare simple but I only introduce one product at a time when I am trying new things. For a newbie, I would say choose a good cleanser, toner, and moisturizer plus a Vitamin C serum and a retinol for starters. I love a good lip scrub and balm as well!
I don’t know about you but I’m feeling so much better learning about medical grade skin care and I sort of want to look 27 forever. Let me know in the comments below what other questions you have for Cara and maybe we can do a part two soon!
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