Welcome to Serenity MedSpa’s new Q&A blog series. Over the next few months, we’ll be talking to some of our long-time clients and practitioners to get the inside scoop on the latest cosmetic face and body medical spa treatments.
Who: A thin, petite female client in her early 50s
What: Voluma filler injections with Dr. Lisa at Serenity MedSpa
Why: To correct under-eye Radiesse injections from another spa that left her skin looking uneven and “bumpy.”
How did you discover Serenity MedSpa?
About two years ago, I bought a Groupon after Yelping Dr. Lisa and reading great reviews. I was hoping she could help me fix what I call my “Radiesse disaster.” And she did! I know Radiesse is great for a lot of things, but when another practitioner from a different Bay Area spa used it under my eyes, I wound up with noticeable lumps and bumps from the injections and it sent me into a panic.
What got you interested in the idea of using fillers?
A friend of mine started using fillers with good results and I wanted a little pick-me-up for a special event. I was hoping for a subtle change that would make me look fresh-faced and more youthful. Instead the places where the filler had been injected were very noticeable and made me feel self-conscious.
How did Dr. Lisa help correct the issue?
Since Radiesse is not a hyaluronic-based filler, it unfortunately can’t be easily dissolved. Over several visits, Dr. Lisa used tiny amounts of Juvederm around the original Radiesse injections to even out the hollowness around them. Once she was able to correct the immediate issues, she recommended Voluma, which is an incredible product. It lasts a long time and can be quickly dissolved if adjustments are necessary.
What do like about Voluma?
Voluma gave me back my baby face. Instead of needing to inject it directly into lines and hollow areas, it lifts everything up and rounds out the entire face. It also improves the texture of the skin. It creates a uniform fullness I hadn’t experienced since my youth. Dr. Lisa also used Botox to soften the veins in my neck around the same time. Between the two treatments–wow! What a difference. The best part is I feel like me again.
What advice would you give to other people who are considering Voluma or other filler injections?
I don’t usually wear makeup. But one day just for fun, a friend and I went to the Neiman Marcus makeup counter. I noticed that the employees there all used similar techniques to apply makeup–eyeshadow here, blush there–regardless of the person they were working with. It’s the same with cosmetic dermatology. Most doctors have a one-size-fits-all approach. But not Dr. Lisa. Picking the right practitioner is key. I have a lot of faith and trust in Dr. Lisa. I love the way she takes her time to make small adjustments. She has an incredible eye and carefully considers her patient’s skin tone and texture and overall goals. This is important if you want great results.
Also, keep in mind that subtle changes are often the best. It’s Important to work with your individual features and be realistic about your goals. Focus on improving your appearance, not radically changing it.