Hello Gorgeous! We constantly strive to be the best resource for you wherever you are in your skincare/aesthetic journey. The following are our team’s answers to our patients most frequently asked questions that were gathered via Instagram. Please feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions or schedule a consultation so that we can create the best treatment plan for you!
Consultations
Are consultations required by new clients?
Yes! Consultations are available with a Registered Nurse/Nurse Practitioner, or you may book a skin analysis with Savannah, LME or Emma, LE. (We offer virtual consults as well!) A consultation is all about YOU. During this time we’ll go over your medical history, any past treatments you’ve received, your skincare concerns and goals, create the best short term/long term treatment plan for you, and discuss your budget!
Laser Treatments
Recommendation for clearing dark spots/acne scars?
We recommend an alternating schedule of chemical peels to treat dark spots and acne and SkinPen Microneedling to treat acne scarring every 4-6 weeks and our Lumecca IPL Photofacial for qualifying patients to treat pigmentation in the skin. Looking to target dark spots with an at-home skincare regimen? We recommend Vitamin C, retinol, other brightening agents and never forgetting your sunscreen!
IPL vs Microneedling? What’s the difference and how to choose the right one?
If your main concern is acne scarring, texture, fine lines and wrinkles, we recommend our SkinPen Microneedling. If your main concern is dark/age spots, hyperpigmentation, rosacea, vascular lesions, we recommend our Lumecca IPL Photofacial. Depending on your desired skincare goals, we can help you choose which treatment is best for you.
Acne scars are usually the result of inflamed acne blemishes that the skin’s response is to start the production of collagen. SkinPen Microneedling creates controlled micro-injuries to stimulate the body’s natural wound-healing process, while minimizing cellular damage. This results in effective remodeling of scar tissue, while keeping the overall structure of the skin intact.
Lumecca IPL Photofacial is a powerful intense pulsed light (IPL) that provides a photofacial through the delivery of a comfortable light treatment using photothermolysis to treat pigmentation in the skin, rosacea, and vascular lesions.
Best laser or peel for brown spots and melasma?
Most lasers use heat energy to target pigment in the skin and unfortunately when the heat is emitted, melasma gets aggravated and worsens. Nurse Aubry, who deals with melasma herself, recommends chemical peels and SkinPen Microneedling instead to target skincare concerns for patients with melasma, along with at-home maintenance products like our Glow Cream.
Dark spots, or age spots, on the skin are due to an overproduction of melanin, a natural skin pigment that gives the skin its color. We can target the first layer of skin, the epidermis, with a chemical peel that not only treats hyperpigmentation but also mild to cystic acne and fine lines. The peel starts to take effect on days 3-5 and peeling may last up to a week.
Botox/Dysport and Dermal Fillers
What’s the difference between botox and fillers?
All aesthetic treatments at Thistle, such as Botox/Dysport and Dermal Fillers, are non-invasive procedures – meaning the use of pain medication before/after treatment or anesthesia is not necessary.
Botox and Dysport are both neuromodulators that are made up of the same protein that blocks the contraction of targeted muscles to smooth lines and wrinkles. (Think of the two like Advil and Motrin- both are brands of ibuprofen.) These two products, Botox and Dysport, are used to treat dynamic lines- lines that form due to repeated muscle movement. When the underlying muscle is relaxed, the skin smooths, creating a more youthful appearance. The results can typically be seen in 7-10 days and can last up to 3-4 months.
Dermal filler is a gel-like substance injected beneath the skin to add volume in certain areas of the face, including the lips, cheeks, around the mouth, and jawline, which can often soften and smooth the appearance of wrinkles and create contouring in the face. Our studio uses dermal fillers that are made of hyaluronic acid (HA) which is a naturally occurring sugar found in our bodies that helps to retain moisture and gives the skin a plump and hydrated appearance. We carry both Restylane, Juvederm, RHA and Revanesse brands of filler and will discuss the differences with you during your appointment and select which one to use depending on the look and area of the face that we are treating.
Dermal filler results are immediate and can last between 6 months to 1 year. Please note that different patient’s bodies metabolize products differently so your results may be different than a friend who had the same treatment!
As someone who is interested in Botox for the 1st time, how expensive is it for the forehead?
There is not a “one size fits all” approach when it comes to aesthetic treatments as there are no two people that are the same (even identical twins have their differences). Our aesthetic nurses have a trained eye to analyze each one of our clients on a case-by-case basis to evaluate the skin and make the best judgment on what works for you. Our standard pricing for Botox is $13/unit and Dysport is $11/unit. On average, clients typically spend anywhere between $100 – $500 in the forehead region depending on how strong the muscle in the forehead is, the desired outcome, and how quickly your body may metabolize the product.
Is there any downtime/bruising with a lip flip?
A “lip flip” is done by injecting a neuromodulator (Botox/Dysport) into the top lip area/region to relax the orbicularis oris muscle and produce a subtle augmentation in the lips that results in more visible pink lip (possibly a 1 to 2mm increase). There is always a chance for bruising/swelling as there is a needle puncturing the skin. We recommend waiting 24/28 hours post procedure before any strenuous physical activity and no facial massages/treatments at least 2 weeks post procedure.
Getting Botox and Lip Filler for the first time and vacay 2 days later…bad idea?
Like all injections, there is always a chance for bruising/swelling. Although you’re able to resume normal physical activities 24-48 hours after your treatment, it is recommended you have your services performed at least 2-4 weeks prior to any events to allow time to heal and the product(s) to fully settle.
To minimize the chance of bruising, we recommend staying away from any blood thinners such as aspirin, ibuprofen, Vitamin E, and fish oil for 7 days prior to your procedure and avoid alcohol 2 days prior. Consuming pineapple juice 2-3 days before your procedure may also help with bruising.
Facials
If I’m prescribed Accutane under a Dermatologist, can I still get a facial?
Since Accutane is an intense acne medication, we cannot provide any facial treatment while you’re on the medication. You must be off Accutane (taken the last dosage) for at least 6 months before receiving any facials or otherwise noted by your Dermatologist.
Which facial treatments are pregnancy safe?
If you’re an expecting Mama or breastfeeding, the following treatments bump friendly.
– Diamond Glow Microdermabrasion
– Signature Thistle Facial
Unfortunately, no injectables (Botox/Dysport or dermal filler) are allowed during pregnancy or while you’re breastfeeding.
Thanks so much for reading along! If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact us or schedule a consultation. We hope to see you soon!
