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| - 4.7 stars technically--I'll explain why below!
Let's start off with my prior experiences getting Botox and lip injections--I've been to Le Bisou Medspa (Paradise Valley) for both a year and a half ago, and Affiliated Dermatology (North Scottsdale) for Botox about nine months ago. Both experiences were very subpar for different reasons--Le Bisou Medspa surprised me at the end with a 20% tip request/expectation and I was very angry about that--normally for "medical procedures" that's not usually requested, or so I thought. An extra hundred dollars just for a tip! I even called afterwards to ask about it and they said yes, it was normal to tip someone for Botox/lip injections.
Affiliated Dermatology put WAAAAY too much Botox in my forehead; it wouldn't even move afterwards.
Both were Groupons, so perhaps that's what to expect. I wish I would've known what I know now earlier, which is why I'm sharing on Yelp! Don't buy Groupons for either of these products--just go to someone who doesn't upcharge you (like Kristen) so you end up paying the same amount for quality service.
**I asked Kristen in the beginning about gratuity, and she told me that tips are NOT expected for medical services. I was very appreciative of this. She said a lot of people ask and I think it's important that businesses and medspas are upfront about this additional cost.**
Now on to Kristen with Uptown Medispa--an entirely different and much better experience. Kristen was very knowledgeable about the products and how they affect my face. She talked about my face muscles and the correct places to inject--the reason Affiliated Dermatology essentially froze my forehead in place was because the product was applied far too low, and too much. Kristen only did eight units in my forehead, whereas AD did twenty! That was the first sign I knew I was in capable hands, and someone who wasn't trying to upcharge me to make money.
Secondly, with the lips--we went with Restylane Silk, the more expensive option ($550/syringe versus Juvederm at $475/syringe) because she said it was the most natural-feeling. The injections hurt a little, but she used a lot of numbing cream so it was very manageable (a bikini wax is MUCH more painful, if that gives you a gauge of pain levels).
**I liked that I was able to show Kristen pictures of lips I wanted to emulate and she talked about the shapes and different injection sites to get that look. For instance regarding my top lip I like it to "bow out" a little, and she explained exactly where to inject to achieve that style. I felt confident she knew what to do!**
It's been two weeks later I did just go back for more Botox in my forehead (it did move a bit more than I wanted--she added five more units), and more in my lips because the first time around looked essentially the same from one syringe. I was disappointed as the first appointment cost approximately $700, which ain't cheap! But this time around Kristen said we could try another syringe of the Restylane L, which is a firmer material (same price). It's been a day since my appointment and my lips look MUCH fuller.
So I want to caution anyone looking into these treatments that it's a trial and error situation in the beginning--everyone's face muscles and lips are different, and you need to try out different amounts to see what works. Better less than more in the beginning! Overall if you are wanting a noticeable difference in your lips and have never gotten injections before, go with TWO syringes ($1100 or so), and choose a material that is firmer. The other thing is that the lip injections are supposed to last a year or so, but if you get another injection six months later (or something), the product builds on itself. Thus if you don't have the look you like right away, you can achieve it over time without shelling $1600 straight off the bat for three syringes or something. All things I wish I knew in the beginning.
One "con" if you want to call them that--Kristen had a very sweet woman in her room who is shadowing to learn about the field. *I* just personally don't love someone staring at my face while I'm having it injected, so this is why I've rating Uptown Medispa 4.7 stars. No issue on Kristen's part, I understand this is all part of the business and process, but I would prefer my appointments to be private. That's just me though--not a huge deal at all.
Overall, Uptown Medispa has been my best experience with lip injections and Botox in the valley. I will be going here again.
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