I am thinking of getting a liquid facelift. Are injectables painful?

Everyone experiences pain differently but there are numerous measures that can be taken to make patients feel as comfortable as possible. Many practices use ice packs, topical numbing and even Pronox (laughing gas) to alleviate discomfort during the injection process.

Hi and thank you for your question! While pain is a subjective matter, we normally numb the treated areas and there is minimal pain and discomfort for most filler injections. Use of cannula for injecting filler can also significantly reduce pain. Botox and other neuromodulators are injected more superficially and using very fine needles, so the pain and discomfort tend to be even less, to the point that it can be done for most without numbing. I hope it helps and good luck!

This is a question many patients ask me. Fortunately, most of those patients find injectable treatments are much more comfortable than they expect and worth the momentary discomfort to achieve stellar rejuvenation results. There are steps your provider can also take to increase your comfort during treatment, including topical numbing cream and ice before your injections. Many of the filler formulations also contain the numbing agent lidocaine, which further enhances your treatment experience. If you are nervous, I encourage you to share your concerns with your provider so that the two of you can determine the best approach to your treatment session. Good luck!

Pain thresholds vary by patient, but most men and women do not find injectable dermal fillers, such as Restylane, Juvederm, and Volbella, to be particularly painful. We try and perform injection techniques that minimize any pain as well as the number of needle sticks. Almost all injectable dermal fillers contain the anesthetic lidocaine in the formulation that makes the injections less uncomfortable.
If you are getting a liquid facelift and have a low pain threshold — or are just nervous about the procedure — your doctor can apply a numbing cream to your skin. We also offer nitrous oxide treatment at an additional cost if it is necessary but find that 99% of our patients do just fine. Please consult a board-certified dermatologist who is an expert at liquid facelifts and bring up your concerns about pain during your meeting. He or she will find you the right solution so you can get the nonsurgical rejuvenation you want without any undue discomfort.

Each patient is different when it comes to discomfort associated with any treatment, including injectables. With proper technique, the patient can be kept very comfortable throughout a liquid facelift or any other session of injectables. There is usually some minimal discomfort associated either with numbing medicines or the injectables themselves, but we work very hard to make the process as pleasant as possible. An experienced injector specializing in facial aesthetics is recommended.

Hello,Thank you for your question. The level of pain can depend greatly on the injector. If you can find a doctor who uses a cannula that will reduce the discomfort significantly. It will feel strange more than uncomfortable. Good luck! 

Hello and thanks. An experienced injector should be able to make your experience fairly comfortable with a combination of topical (on the skin) anesthetic and the anesthesia that comes with all the injectables. Patients tolerate the procedure very well without additional medications. Best, Dr. ALDO

Most injectables have lidocaine mixed in with the product, so the product itself will numb the skin once injections are started. I have many or most patients that will have injections without any numbing creams applied prior. However, I offer topical numbing creams--especially for delicate areas around the eyes or lips that really help to make the experience much more comfortable. The needles used are very fine, and the comfort level is very high for this type of procedure, so do not let fear of pain hold you back from looking your best. Dr. P.

When injectables are administered properly by a board certified plastic surgeon, there should be very little discomfort associated with the procedure. A liquid facelift usually consists of several different injections that could include Botox, Juvederm and Voluma. The procedure is done right in the office and you can expect to have some swelling and bruising for a few days after.

Facial injections are not painless. However, the pain can be reduced by applying a topical numbing medication prior to the injection and using ice beforehand. Many of the fillers have lidocaine mixed in as well. It is common to have discomfort for 1-2 days following the injections.