Aduke Schulist

My Botox and Juvederm Experience (Before and After)

Raise your hand if you have ever looked in the mirror and saw something you didn’t like about your body.

My hand is definitely raised over here.

We live in a culture where we pick apart every little thing about our bodies. I remember from a young age wanting to change certain things about my body. I have wanted a breast reduction, liposuction, and lip fillers. I’ve wanted a butt lift, different eye color, and lately my wrinkles reduced.

I’ve always been self conscious about my lips and how small they were, and in the past few years I have noticed visible signs of aging on my face, especially around my eyes.

So last week when I had the opportunity to get Botox and lip fillers (aka Juvederm) I could not make an appointment fast enough. I firmly believe that our mental health helps dictate our physical health and when we are happy with ourselves (inside and out) then we are healthier. I consider this a venture into a healthier me.

Thanks to Arkansas Family Dental, I was able to get Botox and Juvederm. This post has been sponsored by Arkansas Family Dental. All opinions are my own. 

Botox at the Dentists’ Office

When we think of Botox and Juvederm, the majority of us probably think about plastic surgeons and medical clinics.

Times have changed!

These procedures can now be done in places like your local dentists’ office.

Yes, that’s right.. A dentists’ office!

I went to Arkansas Family Dental for my procedures. (Totally recommend them by the way!)

Botox and Juvederm Event

Arkansas Family Dental was hosting a Botox and Juvederm event and invited a few bloggers to participate. They really know how to please their customers. They served some light snacks and even wine for those who drink.

I didn’t partake of any of the alcohol, but who can resist those brownies?! After sweetening us up with that delicious spread, we were invited back for a consult.

Getting A Consult

Going into the event I was a little hesitant if I was even going to go through with getting any procedures done. I had just found out two days prior that I was going to be having surgery the following week and I didn’t want to do anything to mess that up.

After consulting with Dr. Pollard, I decided to get Botox on my crows feet and lip fillers on my top and bottom lip, but especially my top lip.

Like any good blogger, I took a few selfies before going in. Here is a before picture. You can see how tiny my lips are and even without a full smile I have visible crows feet.

Botox

The Botox was done first and it was beyond easy. I would say within 5 minutes I was done with that portion. They had me smile in order to get those wrinkles showing real good and marked my face in 3 different spots. The injections were super quick and I barely felt a thing.

They said it was common to have some bruising afterwards and to be sore, but I didn’t bruise at all or feel any soreness. About two or three days later I noticed tiny scabs where the injections occurred, but other than that I had no negative side effects.

I didn’t realize that it could take up to 2 weeks for the full affects to show, but within a week I had visible results.

Juvederm

The second part was the lip injections. Apparently there are two ways they can do this.. With, or without a dental numbing. I received a dental numbing prior to getting the Juvederm injections.

The numbing shots hurt worse than the actual injections, but that is to be expected. I would say the worst part of the entire experience was waiting for the numbness to go away. I felt like I couldn’t eat or drink for hours after the procedure.

By the next day all of the numbness and swelling had went down enough for me to see the results and I was well pleased.

I finally have lips, y’all!

Before and After

This is a before and immediately after the injections. It is a very subtle difference, but one I notice a lot!

I’m still a little shocked when I see myself in the mirror and see my new lips. As you can see, my lips are fuller and have less wrinkles.

The Juvederm injections last 6 months or more. After that your lips will just go back to how they were before. If you prefer not to have the Juverderm injections they can do Botox around your lips which will result in a similar effect. The Botox lasts about 3 months.

My only regret is not going bigger! You are cautioned to not make any drastic changes all at once. Going bigger over time results in a more natural look. Overall, I am digging the changes, especially in the lips. I’m not too sure how I feel about the Botox. I don’t love it or hate it. I would definitely do the lip injections again, but kinda iffy on the Botox. I am debating getting Botox around my lips next to see the difference in the two.

I can totally see how procedures like this are addicting. I’ve noticed myself looking in the mirror at other wrinkled areas and wondering how Botox would affect those.

If you want to learn more about Botox or Juvederm fillers you can set up a consultation with Arkansas Family Dental. They have an amazing referral program, so if you let them know I sent you, that would be cool.

Would you ever have Botox?
What do you think about my results?