Exclusive Interview: Claudeine Turns Back Time With Fillers and Botox
September 26, 2024 | Patient Stories
Claudeine—a 49-year-old from Greenwood, Indiana—has always taken good care of her skin. But once she reached her mid-40s, the drugstore products she always relied on were no longer a match for the new fine lines and wrinkles appearing on her face. With no intention of giving up, the wife and mom of two boys decided to take action. Today, Claudeine’s visible signs of aging have faded, and she’s feeling more confident about her look, thanks to carefully injected dermal fillers and Botox.
Q&A About Fillers and Botox With Claudeine and Stephanie
In the following unfiltered interview, Claudeine and board-certified physician assistant Stephanie Burns, PA-C, discuss what to expect when getting fillers and Botox in tandem and learn how this combination of treatments can reduce wrinkles and give your facial skin a natural-looking, more youthful appearance.
When did you know you wanted to add cosmetic injectables to your beauty routine?
Claudeine: I wouldn’t say my skincare routine has been perfect my whole life, but I’ve had good habits. I always wear sunscreen because I don’t tan and get brown sunspots instead. Since I was younger, I used over-the-counter creams on my face and they worked well for a long time, but when I turned 40, I noticed their effects were short-lived. Then, by the time I got to 45, most weren’t doing anything at all anymore.
I didn’t want to keep using more makeup to cover up imperfections, so I scheduled a consultation with Dermatology Aesthetics to explore other options.
My appointment was with Stephanie, and it was a great experience. She explained all of my options and really took her time. I didn’t feel rushed or pressured to do anything big.
Why was it important for you to try a different approach?
Claudeine: My forehead bothered me first before anything else. That’s why I originally went in. Those lines were the ugliest. They were on top of my eyebrows, so when I raised my forehead, I thought I looked like a clown. They stood out so much because I don’t have a big forehead. Botox helped with them, but then, as time passed, I noticed other things that I wanted to change.
I also had dark circles under my eyes, my chin was sagging, and lines at the tip of my nose and some around my mouth. I knew my lines would deepen and eventually look like my mom’s wrinkles if I didn’t do anything about them. She’s 75 now, and she was about my age when she started getting lines just like mine, so I knew from seeing her how my skin was going to change if I didn’t get any treatment.
I was also about 20 pounds heavier this time last year, and I lost that extra weight over the last eight months. Even though I’m happy about getting in shape, I wasn’t pleased that my weight loss made all of the signs of aging I had started to notice in my face look even worse.
Stephanie: Claudeine told me about her concerns, so we had a conversation about the changes we all generally see as we age. I believe in educating patients about the process prior to making personal recommendations. She was really open-minded about options to enhance her natural beauty and wanted to address her signs of aging completely, not just those she noticed in the mirror.
Did you have any worries before getting fillers and Botox?
Claudeine: No, I knew it was the right choice. This is the best money I can spend to keep up my appearance. I even told my husband that fillers and Botox make me so happy that I don’t need medication for depression.
I consider my treatments at Dermatology Aesthetics an investment in my well-being. I prefer spending money on this over a new Louis Vuitton bag because my face goes everywhere, but my purse doesn’t.
Stephanie: Even though some patients can be understandably nervous about getting multiple syringes, Claudeine didn’t hesitate. She told me she wanted to go full-throttle, and I was pleased because I knew she’d be happy with her results—and she was.
What questions did you have before treatment?
Claudeine: My biggest worry was that I’m a side sleeper and can’t really sleep in different positions. I always rest my face on my pillow, so I was concerned that if I slept sideways, I might move my new fillers. Stephanie told me, though, that I’d only be sore the first few days. Then I could go back to sleeping how I normally do, so that was a relief.
Was it painful to get fillers and Botox?
Claudeine: Before I got injected, Stephanie applied a special numbing cream to my face to minimize any pain. It made it so that I could only feel the pressure of the needle. It also made a difference that Stephanie went to the trouble to tell me what was happening the whole time so I wouldn’t be surprised by anything she was doing. She’d tell me cool things like the fact that each syringe is about the same as a medium-sized blueberry. She is really sweet and knows what she’s doing.
I experienced a little soreness after the treatment but didn’t really have any pain. The first night I took a Tylenol before going to bed. I wasn’t actually hurting. I just knew the Tylenol would help me sleep comfortably. By day two, I wasn’t sore at all.
What do you think about your results? Has anyone noticed?
Claudeine: I love the look I have after getting fillers and Botox! When I looked in the mirror after Stephanie was done, I could already see the difference. I am so happy. Her injections have made a huge difference. Before treatment, I used to need a lot of pink correctors
My husband does too. He said I look 10 years younger. When I saw my oldest son, his reaction was, “Wow! Yes! You did it!” My good friend was also impressed by the results. She told me that I looked very fresh-faced and that the treatments took years off my face.
My mom lives in Brazil, so I texted her my “before-and-after” pictures. She couldn’t believe how good I looked, and she was very happy for me. I work at a school, and I can’t wait to go back and show my close friends there. I know they’ll notice and ask me what I did.
Stephanie: It’s always satisfying when a patient like Claudeine trusts you. I’m happy she was agreeable to this combination of treatments because her results from Botox and fillers are great. Now she has a balanced and refreshed look.
Are you thinking about any other treatments?
Claudeine: I’ll definitely do fillers and Botox again when I need touch-ups. Besides that, I talked to Stephanie at my last appointment about doing something about my neck, so treating it will be something I do, probably at the end of the year.
What would you say to someone considering getting fillers and Botox from Dermatology Aesthetics?
Claudeine: I always feel welcome and comfortable, even though I’m an introvert. Everyone at Dermatology Aesthetics is so kind.
Penny at the front desk makes everything, even rescheduling, easy on patients. She is super friendly and always remembers my name.
Stephanie is especially great. She talks to you throughout the whole process. When you see the needle, you don’t even realize she’s already done because Stephanie is so entertaining. She always asks me questions about my family to find out how they’re doing. It’s a very nice place.
If I have any regrets, it’s just that I wish that I’d have started a little bit sooner. I waited until I saw signs of change. Getting fillers and Botox from Dermatology Aesthetics is totally worth it.