So, you guys may remember me writing about facial fillers before. The sad hollows under my eyes – which I’ve had since I was a little kid – always bothered me. They made me look tired all the time. And as I got older, those sad hollows were joined by their friends Nasolabial Folds, which were deep and crevasse-like.
I thought about getting fillers and Botox forever, but I was scared. Scared of looking like a Real Housewife of Wherever The Hell. Scared of watching a needle come that close to my eyes! GAWD. And what if I got filler and it went horribly wrong? I was just too chicken to take the plunge.
Getting Over The Dermal Filler Fear
All of that changed when a close friend took the leap and got rid of the dark circles under her eyes. I ran into her while shopping and she looked like she had “Benjamin Buttoned”. She looked rested, beautiful and vibrant and I told her so. This friend, who is an open book, grabbed me and told me that she had gotten fillers. “DO IT! My only regret was that I didn’t do it sooner!!” I was sold right then and there.
I did a little research but was still chicken. I have a major fear of needles and I’m prone to passing out. Sigh. It looked like I’d just have to get used to those dark circles, and buy concealer by the crateful.
The Universe works in funny ways. After that run-in with my friend, I was contacted by Oxygen MediSpa to test out Belotero, a hyaluronic-based dermal filler which looks completely natural due to its ability integrate into your own tissue leading to subtle and even results.
This was my chance…it was now or never.
The Procedure – Oxygen MediSpa
I arrived at Oxygen MediSpa and I was greeted by Hang, one of the lovely owners. She had already given me a lot of background information on Belotero and a rundown of the dermal filler process. I then met with Dr. Pandian, the gentle and knowledgeable doctor who would be performing the procedure.
My heart started to race during the consultation when she mentioned exactly what would be happening. Frankly, all I heard was “needle”. My hands started to sweat a little, but Hang was kind enough to hold my hand as Dr. Pandian got all prepped.
I took a deep breath (remember to BREATHE), got comfortable, closed my eyes and thought about how I’m going to walk out of here looking refreshed…like I got five whole years sleep.
I won’t lie. It hurt a little…but more like an aggressive mosquito bite than anything else. Dr. Pandian worked her magic, carefully injecting the filler into my non-existent cheekbones to create a fuller, more natural look. She then injected a small amount under my eyes to fill out the hollows and plumped up those deep crevasses on either side of my nose.
The Results
When I was handed a mirror to see the “after”, I gasped. I really did look more refreshed! The hollows and crevasses were gone…I looked like a better version of myself! I was so happy, that I couldn’t stop smiling…for which I was scolded for because “you have to let the filler settle”. Yes ma’am! I
Best of all, I looked natural. No over-stuffed face, no unnatural hard look…just truly a better version of Dom.
Belotero Aftercare
Each time Dr. Pandian injected the filler, she massaged the area carefully to ensure the product was deposited correctly. Sometimes – but rarely – you may need to massage the area on your own to spread the product properly. If you need to do so, simply apply some face cream to the area and massage.
Belotero is more supple and fluid than other fillers such as Juvederm which can be lumpy. The glory of Belotero is that its volumizing and moisturizing properties allow for subtle changes to the contours of your face, which is great for those who want natural looks without divulging their little filler secret.
The day you receive filler, you should take it easy. No exercising, no jostling around. Just take a load off. You may drink caffeine and alcohol the day of your treatment.
In addition, you must sleep on your back with your head elevated and a pillow against each side of your head to keep it stable, in order to not disrupt the newly injected filler.
Lastly, after receiving your Belotero filler, stay away from crunchy foods or foods that require a lot of effort to chew (chips, steak, jawbreakers…you get it). Excessive talking is a no-no also…so again, just take it easy.
Side Effects
After injection, some patients may experience redness, bruising, swelling or other local side effects. Most will resolve in a few days. Their is also a risk of infection, but that goes without saying for any injection.
I experienced redness and mild soreness afterwards, but the discomfort was minimal. It’s been a few days since I had this procedure and my face is still a little sore when I smile, but nothing too crazy.
Where To Get Your Belotero Filler
Belotero is available at Oxygen MediSpa here in Ottawa. Dr. Pandian, their resident doctor, is on site a couple of times a week. Don’t hesitate to book your consultation with this knowledgeable lady!
Oxygen MediSpa also offers a host of other great treatments such as Botox, laser hair removal, microblading, Latisse, microdermabrasion, microneedling and more.
Personally, I started going to Oxygen MediSpa for their fantastic Nail Bar! I would get dip nails regularly at their beautiful nail salon and the pedicures are heavenly (Annie is a genius who applies nail polish with the precision of a surgeon).
I’m excited to try out other treatments such as microneedling to get my skin nice and ultra-smooth for summer.
Well, that is my filler experience and I have absolutely no regrets. I love the way I look…which is more like my Mum now as she has the most beautiful cheekbones you’ve ever seen. Looking rested and feeling beautiful and confident is priceless. Ain’t no shame in that “looking and feeling your best” game!
Have you gotten dermal fillers? What was your experience?
*A big thanks to the lovely staff at Oxygen MediSpa for this treatment in exchange for my honest opinion.
Dominique is a Canadian-based fashion and beauty influencer with a strong voice in Ottawa’s black community. Since launching her blog Style Domination in 2015, she has amassed a global fanbase. Dominique shares her life through beautiful imagery and compelling story-telling that speaks to her fans on a personal level. She’s been featured in The Guardian, Flare, The Kit and Cityline. She also hosts events for Dress for Success, the Gem Conference, and has been named a United Way Person 2 Know for the past three years.
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