All your cosmetic injection questions answered

Your appointment time is reserved just for you. A late cancellation or missed visit leaves a hole in the therapists’ day that could have been filled by another patient. Our policy isn't in place to penalize you, but instead to protect our time. As an appointment-based business, no-shows and late cancellations effect our income.

As such, we require 48 hours notice for any cancellations or changes to your appointment. Our cancellation policy is FIRM & NON-NEGOTIABLE. Your credit card will be automatically charged.

< 48 hours= $75.00 fee
< 48 hours for consults, B12, or slim shot = $25.00 fee
No Show or 6 hours or less = $150.00 fee

If you are attempting to cancel outside of our business hours, you are required to EMAIL US as it will act as a timestamp for our policy. Our email address is: hello@subtleenhancements.com.

Only Doctors, Nurse Practitioners, Dentists, Registered Nurses, Registered Practical Nurses, and Registered Respiratory Therapists can legally administer cosmetic injections. Injectors should be trained in the art of aesthetic medicine. RN’s, RPN’s, and RT’s must obtain an order from an NP or MD to administer cosmetic injections. This is because only NP’s and MD’s have the legal authority to prescribe medications.

Please come with a freshly cleaned face. Do not drink alcohol 3 days prior to treatment and 3 days following, as it increases your chances for bruising and bleeding. Discontinue the use of NSAIDS (Aspirin, Advil, Naproxen etc.) 3 days prior to treatment, unless prescribed by your doctor for a therapeutic reason. Pineapple or pineapple juice can help to decrease inflammation due to the enzyme, bromelain, and is recommended up to 3 days prior to treatment and 3 days following your treatment. Arnica tablets or a topical preparation can help to decrease bruising. This can be purchased at health food stores.

• Do not massage or rub the treated area.

• Do not lie down for 4 hours after your Botox or Dysport treatment.

• No working out for 24 hours post treatment, but 48 hours is best.

• Dermal fillers will take 3-4 weeks to completely settle. Do not massage unless you are instructed to do so.

• Do not work out or expose yourself to high heat (shower, sauna, hot tub etc.) for 48 hours post treatment.

• A mild headache can occur after Botox or Dysport treatment.

• Tylenol can be taken after treatment for pain relief or headache. Do not take NSAIDS (Aspirin, Advil, Naproxen etc.) as it will increase risk for bruising.

• Apply ice to decrease swelling, please ensure that you have a barrier in between the ice and your skin, especially the day of treatment because you’ve been administered a numbing agent and you won’t be able to feel how cold the ice is. No ice burns please!

• Do not drink alcohol for a few days after treatment as it will increase risk for bruising.

A neuromodulator is a medication that works to stop the contraction of the muscle by using small amounts of purified botulinum toxin A. This means that it stops the wrinkles from forming when we are being expressive (i.e., raising your eyebrows). This medication is naturally occurring in the environment and has been harnessed for both cosmetic and medical purposes. There are four approved neuromodulators on today’s market: Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, and Nucevia. Our favourite is Botox and Dysport. During your consult we will select the one most appropriate neuromodulator for your beauty goals.

Neuromodulators are most commonly used to treat the upper one third of the face including the glabellar region (the 11’s or frown lines), the upper forehead, and around the eyes. It can also be used as a brow lift, a lip flip, to treat a gummy smile, to lift the corners of the mouth, and even the jelly roll (the bulge that occurs under our eyes when we smile). Neuromodulators can also be used to treat hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), TMJ disorders and/or bruxism (grinding of the teeth), and facial slimming. Neuromodulators can also be used to treat eye spasms, migraines, and even contractures. Pretty cool, right?

When it’s your first-time having treatment, we understand that it is anxiety inducing. Luckily, your nerves are probably the most uncomfortable part of the treatment. Treatment is extremely fast, and most clients rate it a 2-3/10 on the pain scale and compare it to a sensation of being pinched. Botox & Dysport are known as the “lunch time treatment” because it has no down time, and you can go back to work after a quick treatment without anyone noticing. You may be a little red 30 mins-1 hour following treatment but then it subsides. Easy peasy!

Depending on which product we choose for you, it will start taking effect at different times. Dysport takes 3-5 days to start kicking in, while Botox takes 5-7 days to start kicking in and full effect, for both, is at 14 days. Treatments lasts on average 3-4 months for wrinkle relaxation in the face and usually 6-8 months for hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) treatments and facial slimming (masseter muscle reduction). Some folks get more or less time based on lifestyle factors, meaning that an individual that is athletic, has a high metabolism, is in the sun a lot, or hot environments (vacations, saunas, hot tubs) may break it down at a faster rate. One important piece of information is that dose equals longevity, so if you are underdosed or request “baby Botox”, this means that the muscle will have more movement and may not last as long as a heavier dose to stop muscle movement completely. More movement equals faster breakdown.

Botox & Dysport work by relaxing the muscle, so we worry about relaxing a muscle too much or the wrong muscle. Side effects are rare, but depending on the treatment area, you may experience heaviness of your eyebrows, eyelid ptosis (drooping), a wonky smile or dry eye. We do everything in our power to mitigate these risks by marking out your injections, our injection technique, and treating you with a conservative dose of Botox & Dysport. None of the side effects are permanent, and they will resolve over a couple of months.

The most common dermal fillers are composed of hyaluronic acid which is actually a sugar that is found in our connective tissues. Dermal fillers work by adding volume, by contouring, replacing depleted volume, and smoothing out wrinkles or hollowing. There are many hyaluronic acid-based fillers on the market, and our favourite is Revanesse, a Canadian and family-owned business that produces fillers that create natural and sustainable results.

Dermal fillers are usually used in the lower two-thirds of the face. Common areas to treat are the cheeks, nasolabial folds, jawline, temple, tear troughs, chin, and lips. As we age, our facial structure changes and we lose volume because of shrinking fat pads which results in a forward sagging appearance. Dermal filler can help to add volume back in and soften wrinkles, which leads to a more youthful appearance.

This is dependent on the area being treated and the product used. The thicker the product, the longer it generally lasts. Cheek, jawline, and chin can last 12-24 months, lips, marionette lines, nasolabial lines, or fine lines around the mouth last 6-12 months. Tear trough and temples generally last 9-12 months.

The most common side effects are swelling, redness, and bruising in the treatment area, and generally take 5-7 days to resolve. You may experience lumps and bumps while you’re healing but these should resolve at 3-4 weeks. If they do not resolve on their own, you should follow up with your provider. A vascular occlusion, a rare but very serious side effect can occur. This is when an artery or a vein is accidently injected with filler. This can result in serious complications, and these will be discussed during the day of your appointment. Again, these complications are very rare and if this was to occur, we would use a medication to dissolve the filler and restore blood flow to your tissue. We do everything in our power to mitigate these risks by understanding your anatomy, our injection technique, and understanding the signs and symptoms of a vascular occlusion.

Deoxycholic acid is used to permanently reduce the appearance of moderate to severe submental fullness, also called the “double chin”, in adults. Deoxycholic acid is a synthetic version of a bile acid that is found in our gut that is responsible for breaking down fat. When you are treated with deoxycholic acid, the treated cells undergo a process called lysis, which permanently dissolves the fat cells and then over the next several weeks, the body disposes of the cellular debris.

The most common area in the submental, or the double chin area but it’s a treatment that can be done on the whole body. Other treatment areas are the bra roll, bat wings, banana roll, abdomen, arms, knees, and thighs. One treatment area is about the size of a palm, meaning that it would take several “treatments” to do one large area. Full transparency, large body areas will be very costly, but it’s a great alternative if you don’t want to go the surgical route.

Every person is different, but results are typically seen after 2-3 sessions but up to 6 treatments can be done in one area. The chin area has an average of 3 treatments, and the body can require up to 6 treatments to achieve the desired results. Treatments are done no sooner than 4-6 weeks apart.

YES! Once you’ve reached your desired result, the fat cells are killed, thus they are not able to accumulate fat in the treated area. Unless you gain a sustainable amount of weight this treatment will last forever.

PRP is an all-natural treatment using a sample of your own blood. It’s a regenerative procedure that focuses on repairing and restoring original function to our aging tissue using your own growth factors in your blood. PRP stimulates your natural healing response which results in creating more collagen and elastin.

PRP is a treatment that is great for almost anyone and it’s a natural approach to aging gracefully. PRP helps to smooth out lines and wrinkles, improve texture and tone, reduce hyperpigmentation, reduce acne scars, improve dark circles under eyes and can even stimulate hair regrowth on scalp.

PRP requires a series of 3 treatments, spaced one month apart and then a maintenance treatment every 9-12 months to maintain results.

By using the growth factors in your own blood, we reinject them into your scalp and it stimulates hair restoration by thickening the hair shaft, increasing growth by stimulation of the hair follicle, and increasing blood flow to the hair follicle. A series of up to 6 treatments with a minimum of 3 will be required. Once you’ve achieved your desired result, a maintenance treatment is required every 9-12 months. Unfortunately, if your hair thinning or balding started over 2 years ago, you are unlikely to experience a benefit from these treatments.

PDO threads are made of polydioxanone which is a dissolvable polyester surgical suture. It’s the same type of suture material that would be used if you had a wound that needed to be stitched up! Cool, right? When these threads are inserted into the face, they slowly break down over a period of 6 months to 1 year. During that time, the body recognizes the thread as a “foreign body” which results in your body creating collagen around the thread. Threads will also secure fat tissue resulting in tightening of your skin.

There are several types of PDO such as barbed threads, smooth threads, and biomesh.

Barbed threads are the most well-known surgical sutures. They are used to anchor and pull up sagging tissue in the mid and lower face as well as the eyebrow area. Barbed threads have small spikes on them, similar to thorns on a rose, which are able to grab and hold your tissue in a lifted position. The result will be lifted cheeks, more defined jawline, higher eyebrows, and lessened nasolabial lines and marionette lines.

Smooth threads are used to improve skin quality and tighten. Several small, smooth threads are inserted into the treatment area to stimulate your body to create more collagen. Smooth threads are great to treat areas that have etched in lines that Botox or Dysport can’t erase. They help to tighten the jawline, the submental area (great for tightening after deoxycholic acid), acne scars, neck lines, fine lines under the eyes, forehead and glabellar lines, and to create a crisp vermillion border on your lips.

Biomesh is an 8-in-1 thread that are used in the nasolabial and marionette lines to diminish deep volume loss. By having so many threads in one, they stimulate greater collagen production which results in helping to restore volume in the areas around the mouth.

Consults are required prior to booking an appointment for threads. At that consult we will ensure that you are a candidate, and we will also discuss pre and post treatment instructions. The ideal candidate is someone in their 30-50’s with minimal skin laxity and are a healthy weight. The face must not lack too much facial fat or have too much facial fat, for the treatment to be successful.

• Mid and lower face

• Brow lift

• Neck

• Jawline tightening

• Submental tightening

• Acne scarring

• Neck lines

• Fine lines in the tear trough

• Forehead and glabellar lines

• Crisp lip border definition

• Nasolabial lines

• Marionette lines

• Body treatments

Radiesse filler is made of smooth calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA). CaHA particles then integrate into your skin and create a “scaffold” that stimulates production of collagen and elastin. Formed collagen and elastin replaces the correction provided by the gel carrier, smoothing lines, and promoting renewed skin structure.

Radiesse is the perfect filler for hands, neck, and jawline because it creates natural volume with long lasting results. Radiesse is specifically made for the hands because it replenishes lost volume and creates natural results without looking puffy. With the hands being so mobile, it’s important to choose a filler that will last a long time because increased movement results in faster break down of your filler. For the neck its perfect for those tech neck lines, to improve skin crepiness, and to tighten sagging skin. For the jawline, Radiesse is our go to because we can use less product than with hyaluronic acid-based fillers and achieve a sharper, more defined, and longer-lasting result in your jawline.

This depends on the area being treated, but typically 1 session for jawline, and 1-2 sessions for hands, and 1-3 sessions for neck. Results last 1-2 years! This is our go to for necks and jawlines because it doesn’t add bulk, and the results last longer than hyaluronic acid-based filler.

Sculptra is poly-L-latic acid and is known as the original collagen stimulating treatment. When Sculptra is injected into key areas of the face, it tells your body to create more collagen. Collagen is responsible for keeping the skins shape and to keep it smooth and hydrated. Collagen equals youthful looking skin. Results of Sculptra can last up to at least 2 years after treatment.

Sculptra is used for an all over mid and lower face rejuvenation. It’s injected into key targets on the face including the cheeks, along the jawline, pyriform aperture (near the nasolabial folds), and close to your chin. Results are gradual and a series of 1-3 sessions, depending on age and volume loss, is required. This is a great option for anyone that wants to target multiple areas at once without looking overdone.

Sculptra is used for an all over mid and lower face rejuvenation. It’s injected into key targets on the face including the cheeks, along the jawline, pyriform aperture (near the nasolabial folds), and close to your chin. Results are gradual and a series of 1-3 sessions, depending on age and volume loss, is required. This is a great option for anyone that wants to target multiple areas at once without looking overdone.

B12 is an essential water-soluble vitamin that helps with many bodily functions. B12 may come in the form of methylcobalamin or cyanocobalamin and both are forms of B12.

B12 injections may aid in a variety of different things including:

• Increased energy levels

• Improve brain function (memory, brain fog etc.)

• Weight loss (when combined with a healthy diet and exercise)

• All over heart healthy

• Increase and strengthen hair quality

• Improve sleep

• Correct a B12 deficiency (hello vegans and vegetarians)

• Support brain health

• Improve mood

B12 is usually recommended once per month but a consultation will be done with your provider and a recommendation will be made based on you and your goals.

The slim shot is a combination of all-natural vitamins, amino acids, and liver specific nutrients to speed up the breakdown of fat. It contains methionine, inositiol, choline, and B12. The shot supports the fat burning process by increasing your metabolism, boosting energy, and supporting your immune system. The amino acids detoxify, and breakdown stored fat cells in the liver and prevent cholesterol build up.

You will need to start on weekly injections for a minimum of 8 weeks up to a maximum of 12 weeks. The majority of clients start to see a result around 3-4 weeks and average weight loss is about 1 lb per week.

Let us be honest with you, this is NOT a miracle injection. You MUST be following a healthy diet and consistent workout routine prior to starting the slim shot. This treatment only speeds up what your body is already doing which is burning fat from exercise and healthy diet. We do not provide healthy eating or exercise regimen advice.

No! This is because the needles are only going into the first layer of skin, whereas Botox or Dysport injections are injected into the deep muscles to freeze them. This treatment is not a replacement for Botox and Dysport injections, but instead a compliment. This is an all-over global treatment for healthy, glowing skin.

The glass facial can be done on virtually anyone except if you have wounds, dermatitis, or other skin conditions on your face. This treatment is extremely effective for those that suffer from acne because the Botox helps to dry up the oil glands, thus producing less oil that cause break outs. It’s completely customizable meaning you can choose vitamins, acids, or hyaluronic acid to target your skin concerns. This facial is also recommended for those that have a lot of facial sweating because it helps to reduce oil and sweat production!

We recommend a glass facial every 2 months, especially for our acneic skin types. This treatment should be used in combination with a medical grade skincare regimen that includes acids, retinol, and moisturizing ingredients. Feel free to ask us about our recommendations for skincare products the next time you see us!

You’ll likely be red for a couple hours following treatment and then you’ll be good to go! This treatment has minimal downtime.

Chemical peels use different acids, in a range of different strengths to renew the skins surface. Depending on your concerns, your peel may include glycolic acid, salicylic, lactic, and/or resorcinol acids. As nursing professionals, we can use strengths that are higher than a non-regulated group of professionals. Our peels range from light to medium depth. Chemical peels can help to reduce acne, erase hyperpigmentation, sunspots, wrinkles, fine lines, scarring, dryness, and uneven skin tone.

As we only offer light to medium chemical peels, and there is NOT a significant amount of downtime. Your skin may be rosy for 1-3 days following the treatment, and then it will begin to peel for a couple days. You’ll be dry and flaky especially around your mouth. We recommend lots of moisturizing ingredients to help you heal up fast!

Chemical peels make you photosensitive which means you must avoid the sun following your peel. Peels are best done in the fall and winter or if you can avoid direct sunlight for 1 week following your treatment.

We treat skin types I-IV with our chemical peels, so unfortunately darker skin types are not candidates for our treatments. Skin types V-VI are more prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after a chemical peel. It’s best to find a provider that specializes in darker skin types to avoid any unwanted side effects.