Do I need to shave before fillers? Your questions about injectables for men, answered
If facial aging is impacting your confidence, Botox® and dermal fillers for men provide low-maintenance and natural-looking rejuvenation. But, as a man, you likely have specific goals for your appearance, as well as different questions. Our expert Fort Worth medical injectors are answering 7 questions that male patients ask below.
- Why do men get Botox and fillers?
- Do I need to shave before fillers?
- Will it be obvious if I get Botox?
- Can fillers give me a stronger jaw?
- How soon can I work out after fillers?
- How do I choose which brand of fillers is best for me?
- How do I find an injector?
Why do men get Botox and fillers?
Men may consider Botox-type injectables or fillers if they have (and wish to lessen) signs of aging in the face, such as:
- Fine lines
- Deep lines and wrinkles
- Loss of definition in facial features, or a sunken and tired appearance
- Drooping under-eye bags and hollows
Neuromodulators (the generic term for Botox) temporarily relax muscles that create facial wrinkles, allowing those lines to soften for a less severe, younger appearance. To create a natural-looking effect for men, we inject Botox or Dysport® differently than we do for women.
Dermal fillers are a different class of injectable: the term refers to products that are used to add volume, lift deep wrinkles, and optimize facial structure. They are most often used to treat sunken cheeks, the nasolabial folds (smile lines), and marionette lines (corners of the mouth), but fillers can be used in most any area where more structured or smooth facial features would help you look younger and healthier.
Benefits of injectables for men:
- Reduces wrinkles & prevents new ones
- Younger-looking overall appearance
- More balanced, masculine facial structure
- Natural-looking results
- Long-lasting
- Quick treatment
- No-downtime alternative to surgery
Do I need to shave before fillers?
You may or may not need to shave before fillers. If you have a beard, then shaving before your dermal filler appointment (especially if this is your first time) may help us to better assess your overall facial structure and give you more personalized results. This is especially true if you desire filler injections for men on the mid- to lower half of the face: for example, chin filler or jawline filler.
You will also need to wait at least a few hours to shave after fillers to avoid agitating or displacing the filler while it settles in, so you may choose to shave ahead of time for this reason.
However, it is not strictly necessary to shave a short beard. And you may not need to shave a longer beard if you are having an isolated area treated above your beard, such as tear trough filler (below the eyes) or cheek filler. Talk with your injector and send a photo of your preferred facial hair style to learn their preference before your appointment.
What about shaving before Botox?
Shaving before Botox is not necessary because Botox is most often used in the upper face: the forehead, frown lines between the eyebrows, and crow’s feet at the corners of the eyes.
You may want to shave, however, if you are a new patient or are considering Botox in the masseter muscles at the corners of the jawline (Botox in this area may alleviate teeth grinding, or bruxism, or reduce the appearance of an overdeveloped jaw muscle).
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Will it be obvious if I get Botox?
No, it will not be obvious if you get Botox. Botox does not add volume, but instead relaxes certain muscles. When properly planned and administered, the results are difficult to spot. It takes several days, up to two weeks, for results to take full effect, as well, so it will not create a sudden change in your appearance.
Of course, over-treatment with Botox that fully stops muscle movement or spreads outside of the intended treatment area can create an unwanted and more noticeable effect. This is why it is important to select a trustworthy, experienced injector at an established plastic surgery practice for any Botox or filler.
Can fillers give me a stronger jaw?
Yes, male filler injections can create a more sculpted, masculine, and strong jawline. During jaw filler treatment, a product such as RHA®, Juvéderm® or Restylane® is precisely injected beneath the skin along the jaw bone and chin to add definition and structure. This procedure may help to create V-shaped facial definition and a more balanced facial structure.
How soon can I work out after fillers?
We typically recommend waiting 24 hours before working out after injectable fillers. Getting active too soon after dermal filler could increase side effects of swelling and bruising and can affect your final results.
We recommend that patients ice the treated area intermittently for any swelling and take an over-the-counter pain reliever if needed for discomfort. While you will see results immediately after filler treatment, note that it takes up to 2 weeks for all swelling to resolve; that is when we consider results to be fully visible.
How soon can I work out after Botox?
We recommend waiting 24 hours after Botox before working out or engaging in any strenuous physical activity. Getting active too soon after a neurotoxin injection can increase the risk of the neurotoxin spreading to unintended areas.
How do I choose which brand of fillers is best for me?
Talk with your injector about your goals for your appearance, and allow them to recommend the ideal filler formula(s) to achieve the results you have in mind.
Dermal fillers provided at reputable medical spas and plastic surgeons are FDA-approved and tested, and from there, your injector can help you choose a formula with the appropriate effects based on the area you are having treated. Numerous FDA-approved dermal fillers are available, with differing main ingredients, including:
- Hyaluronic acid (RHA, Juvéderm & Restylane)
- Calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse®)
- Poly-L-lactic acid (Sculptra®)
- Polymethylmethacrylate (Bellafill®)
While the main ingredients of fillers and the expected duration vary, all fillers temporarily “fill” the skin and then gradually dissolve over time.
Hyaluronic acid based fillers
Hyaluronic acid (HA)-based fillers are our go-to choice for most men’s facial rejuvenation needs, but there is a wide variety among these fillers. Each filler formula is made with certain cross-linking and thickness properties. Some fillers last longer than others, some create a stronger “lifting” effect, and some have a thicker or more pliable texture.
The Restylane brand of HA fillers, for example, offers a variety of fillers that are ideal for different purposes; Restylane Lyft is a cohesive, thick filler that is ideal for jawline enhancement, while Restylane Silk is a softer formula we commonly use for a natural-looking lip filler.
Rest assured that, while you have numerous options, there is no need to be up-to-date on all the filler options out there going into your appointment. Your medical injector will guide you to select the ideal treatment based on your skin, your goals, and the area being treated.
How do I find an injector?
Search for a plastic surgeon’s office or reputable medical spa led by a board-certified plastic surgeon. Patients tend to find their preferred provider by searching online and/or asking friends and family for recommendations. Once you have found a medical spa or plastic surgeon’s office, check their website and social media for evidence of the following:
1. Excellent medical credentials
Dermal fillers are subject to FDA regulation, and legitimate products are thus solely available through authorized medical spa practices overseen by a physician. To be sure you receive an authentic, safe product, make your appointment with a medical injector who is either a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or nurse.
Non-medical facialists at salons or day spas without physician oversight are not legally allowed to inject in Texas. Medical supervision is required for all non-physician injectors. At Kalos Medical Spa, Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Emily Kirby is regularly present on-site in the office.
2. Excellent reviews and before-and-after photos
Read online reviews and view before-and-after photos on the practice’s website or social media accounts to ensure you are going to a reputable professional who provides excellent work and has lasting, positive relationships with their patients. Look for patients who resemble you in the “before” photos to get a sense of what’s possible in the “after” shots.
3. Experience working with men
Men typically have different aesthetic preferences than women; by choosing a provider with proven experience treating men, you can trust they will recommend the appropriate options for your concerns and develop a treatment plan that will not create an unnatural and/or feminine appearance.
Our expert injectors help patients understand in-depth why medical spa treatments are not one-size-fits-all: everything should and will be personalized based on your anatomy and your personal goals.
About Kalos Medical Spa in Fort Worth, Texas
The licensed aestheticians and expert medical injectors at Kalos offer a range of medical spa services tailored specifically for men, including Botox, male fillers, CoolSculpting, laser hair removal, and Hydrafacial. We take pride in offering you treatments that get real results efficiently, while also respecting your aesthetic goals and ensuring you leave with a completely natural appearance.
Schedule your consultation today by calling or texting 817-292-4200 or filling out our online contact form.