Facial Balancing in Birkdale, NC

Subtle is the point

I walk to Birkdale Village most weeks, for CAVA or Green Brothers, and some evenings Suffolk Punch. If I've treated someone well, I shouldn't be able to spot it across the lawn. That's the standard I hold facial balancing to.

In practice that means small amounts in the right places. A little support in the cheeks can soften the under-eyes. A touch at the chin can make the lips look more in proportion. The change should read as you, looking better, not as a new feature.

How I keep it subtle

• I start conservatively and add at your two-week follow-up if you want more.
• I use hyaluronic acid (HA) filler for most areas, and HA fillers are reversible.
• I'll tell you when I think you don't need something.
• I'd rather stage a plan over visits than do everything in one day.

I use Juvéderm. Different HA fillers do different jobs, and I pick the right one for you at your consult. Area pages: cheeks, jawline and chin, under-eyes, neurotoxin.

What it costs

Facial balancing is quoted at your free consult. Filler is priced per syringe and neurotoxins are $13 per unit. You see the full number before anything is booked. The pricing page shows how each part is priced.

Pain, downtime, and how long it lasts

Expect pressure and some pinches, and we talk through numbing. Swelling after filler usually takes a few days to go down, and bruising is possible. Most people go back to work the same day.

Neurotoxin may be repeated every 3 to 4 months, per MedlinePlus. Filler lasts longer, depending on the product, the area, and your body.

Your first visit

The consult is free. I look at your face at rest and moving, go over your health history, and show you the smallest plan I think will make a difference. If you want to start the same day, we usually can. Two weeks later you come back, and I adjust anything at no charge.

Safety

Tell me if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, under 22, have an infection or rash where we'd treat, or a bleeding disorder or severe allergies. The FDA lists bruising, redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, and itching as common dermal filler side effects and says many clear up within days to weeks. The most serious risk is filler getting into a blood vessel. The FDA calls that chance low, but it can cause tissue damage, vision problems including blindness, or stroke. Get care right away for unusual pain, any change in your vision, or skin near the injection site that turns white, gray, or blue.