Faqs

In-person consultations are $150 and this charge can be applied to any service provided on the same day with the consulting provider.

We recommend bringing up all your concerns during your consultation, even if you intend to address them in separate sessions later on.

You will be asked to provide your credit card in order make an appointment. At that time you will also be asked to acknowledge the 24 hour no show/cancellation/reschedule policy of $300. The credit card will only be charged in the case of failure to cancel or reschedule your appointment (including consultations) 24 hours prior to the originally scheduled appointment time. We do not store credit cards for payment of services.

Schedule your appointment at least 2 weeks before attending any special event.  Bruising and swelling may be apparent during that time period. Reschedule your appointment at least 24 hours in advance if you have a rash, cold sore or blemish on the area to be treated.

At least 3 months prior to the big day. We want you to look your very best and this means we need to allow time for skin recovery (new skincare routine and any potential swelling or bruising to resolve). Some treatments involve multiple treatment sessions like those using Kybella, Sculptra, laser treatments, and microneedling need to begin 4-6 months out so that optimal results can be achieved. Please contact us to schedule a time to chat and plan a customized timeline.

Do not consume alcoholic beverages at least 24 hours prior to treatment as the risk of bruising is increased.

Avoid anti-inflammatory/blood thinning medications, unless medically necessary, for 3 days before treatment: aspirin, vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, St. John’s Wort, turmeric, Omega 3, fish oil supplements, ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, and Aleve all have blood thinning effects and can increase the risk of bruising after injections. If you have had any of these, please note they should not affect your end result. They will simply increase your risk of bruising and recovery from the bruise(s).
Contact us if you have a history of cold sores or “fever blisters” so that medication can be prescribed 2 days prior to your appointment to minimize a recurrence.

Street parking is usually available. Paid parking is available beneath our building, 2440 M St NW; unfortunately, we do not validate. Parking is also available 24/7 across the street at 2445 M St NW and the fee is lower than that of our building. Those shopping at Trader Joes (on the same block) can use that parking lot.

Day 1 (after treatment)

• Apply a cold compress for 3-5 min. every 30 min. for the first few hours if possible. Short bursts of cold frequently on the same day of treatment work best.
• Keep your head elevated as much as possible for the first 24 hours.
• Take Benadryl, as directed, at bedtime on the day of treatment – this will make you sleepy…no alcohol, no driving.
• Sleep with your head elevated above your heart – use pillows to prop yourself up.
• Arnica is a homeopathic remedy for bruising and swelling. It may be used pre and post-treatment. It comes in a topical and oral form – both are sold at Whole Foods or can be bought online here.
• Eat fresh pineapple which is rich in bromelain – a protein-digesting enzyme that may help with inflammation, pain, and wound healing.

Day 2

• Use a warm compress on and off to increase circulation and help the swelling move out.
• Swelling peaks usually peak at 48 hours.
• The under-eye area and lips typically swell the most.
• Under-eye swelling may take up to 2 weeks to resolve therefore, touchups are not usually made until after the 2-week mark.

If you have a history of cold sores please let us know asap. You may be put on an anti-viral medication prior to treatment to minimize recurrence.

You are not a candidate for aesthetic injectable procedures if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Several factors determine the final cost including the amount of product needed, which product(s) are used, the number of sessions within a complete treatment, and if a combination therapy is used to achieve complete correction. We can discuss starting price ranges for certain treatment areas by phone but an in-person assessment is best.

You may experience some bruising and swelling.

Swelling typically peaks at 48 hours. To minimize swelling, sleep at a 45-degree angle for the first few nights after treatment. Bruises typically resolve within 14 days. There are homeopathic treatments, such as arnica, to help resolve bruising faster.
It is normal for the areas injected with a dermal filler to feel firm for the first few days after treatment. There is no need to massage the areas. Over the next few weeks, the area will soften as the product integrates with your own tissue.

When to contact our office: If you experience what you feel is significant bruising, swelling, and most importantly any changes in color on or near the area treated such as red mottling or white splotches contact us immediately.
If you have previously suffered from cold sores/fever blisters there is a risk that the needle punctures could contribute to another occurrence. Please let us know as medications can be prescribed to minimize a recurrence.

Makeup may be gently applied shortly after treatment.

You may have bruises in the areas treated.

You may have raised or red areas post treatment which will subside within a few hours.

Do not rub or massage the treated areas for 24 hours after your treatment.

Do not practice yoga or any type of strenuous exercise for 24 hours after treatment.

Avoid facials and saunas for 24 hours after your treatment.

Do not wear swimming goggles for 24 hours after treatment.

Do not have your eyebrows tweezed, waxed, or threaded for 24 hours after treatment.

Do not lie down for 6 hours after treatment.

Do not wear a baseball cap or tightly fitting hat for 24 hours.

Use a GENTLE touch and avoid rubbing during facial cleansing on the evening of your treatment.

Basically, folks…don’t do anything that would logically move the neurotoxin from exactly where we put it for 24 hours.

It can take up to 14 days for you to experience the full effect of the treatment however, many people see Dysport take effect in 1-3 days and Botox in 5-7 days.

While individual metabolism does play a role it largely depends on the dose and product used (Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau, Daxxify).

Check out my blog – Preventative Botox? Really? Really.

Several factors determine filler duration including the amount of product that was used, which product(s) are used, the number of sessions within a complete treatment, and where the filler is placed. Typically, the more muscle movement you have in a treated area, the shorter the duration. Products on the market today can last between 6-24 months. However, patients that may experience longer or shorter duration periods.

To learn more visit my blog dedicated to all things QWO!

Promotions for products and services can be found under “Specials” on the website’s navigation bar, on Instagram, and on Facebook.  There may be a special posted in just ONE of the three spaces to treat site visitors, followers, or friends so be sure to check all three!  You can also join the list under “Join” on the website’s navigation bar to be the first to know about upcoming promotions and special events.

How do I preserve the effects of the treatment?

• 3 treatments 1-2 mo. a part for fine lines and pigmentation

• 6 treatments 1-2 mo. a part for acne scarring (Use caution in over promising results for acne scaring. It is not beneficial for deep “ice pick” scars – they need CO2 or J-Plasma resurfacing.)

• Maintenance treatment 1-2 times a year after the initial series of 3.

What is the difference in Microneedling and Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is done dry and typically for pain relief.

In microneedling the purpose of the treatment is to create micro-injuries to promote new skin tissue growth.  When you create a micro-injury the skin begins to repair. This includes: 

• rebuilding collagen and elastin – helps with fine lines, skin tone and texture

• encouraging melanocyte cells to repair themselves – helps with melasma, sunspots, and discoloration

Does it hurt?

It is considered a comfortable procedure usually rated a 1/10 on a pain scale.  A topical numbing agent it used.  The procedure can be done without a topical numbing agent however, for your comfort this is not recommended.  We also offer Pro-Nox , patient-controlled inhaled analgesia, which eases pain and anxiety. Skinpen utilizes 14 needles and a range of 0.25 – 1.5mm. The depth of the needle is customize for each area of your face.

What should I know pre-procedure? 

• Avoid sun exposure

• Discontinue use of topical retinoids 72 hours prior to procedure.

• Cannot be performed during active acne.

• Allow at least 24 hours after autoimmune therapies

• Wait six months following oral isotretinoin (Accutane) use.

   

Pro-Nox™ is a pneumatically driven gas system designed to deliver a 50% oxygen and 50% nitrous oxide mixture to patients for the relief of pain and anxiety in a medical setting. The onset, effect, and recovery are quick. You can even drive yourself home. It’s Analgesia not Anesthesia!

Virtual consults are offered by some providers once a month. This appointment type allows you to know your provider, point out areas of concern, have your questions answered, and get pricing estimates.  This appointment will be relaxed – no need for makeup or fancy filters.  A fresh face and natural lighting is ideal. Should you decide to book a future appointment, the time with the provider will focused on implementation of the agreed-on treatment plan.

• Avoid sun exposure
• Discontinue use of topical retinoids 72 hours prior to procedure.
• Cannot be performed during active acne.
• Allow at least 24 hours after autoimmune therapies
• Wait six months following oral isotretinoin (Accutane) use.