If you’re new to the world of aesthetics, it might seem a bit overwhelming or intimidating at first! There’s a lot of information to absorb, and a lot of techniques, products, and terminology that you may not be familiar with. At Vita Nova Medical Spa in Manassas, we’re dedicated to providing you with a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere from the minute you first reach out to us. We want you to feel excited and empowered, so we’ve created this guide to help you prepare. Read on to learn how to prepare for your first appointment.
Do you have questions before you’ve even made your appointment? That’s totally okay – it can be a bit overwhelming especially if you’re new to the world of medical spas. Here are some answers that will help you book your appointment.
When you make your first appointment at Vita Nova, you’ll most likely want to book a complimentary consultation. This is beneficial because while you may know you’re interested in cosmetic injections, for example, your provider might be able to recommend another procedure that will get you the results you want in a more effective way. Many people, especially those who are new to medical spas, might know they want to do something to plump up their lips but not have any idea what treatments would be suitable for that goal. In many cases, you can get treatments during your consultation appointment, but this way you can make sure you are getting the treatment most suitable for you.
There are many services at Vita Nova that require little to no recovery time after the treatment is complete, but there are some like dermal fillers or chemical peels that you would likely need a few days to a few weeks to completely heal from. If you’re looking to get a procedure that’s more invasive such as Kybella, Genius, or the services previously mentioned, it’s a good idea to do so well in advance of any big events so any swelling or bruising has time to heal.
While you don’t need to spend an entire week prepping, there are some things you can do in the days leading up to your appointment that will help speed up your recovery time and reduce the amount of bruising and swelling you’ll experience.
If you do take a blood thinning medication prior to your appointment, you’ll be fine. But if you are concerned about bruising, it’s best to avoid them.
Did you know that the bromelain in pineapple juice is a powerful enzyme with anti-inflammatory properties? That means that drinking pineapple juice is an easy and delicious way to reduce the chances that you’ll bruise after your appointment. If you don’t like pineapple juice or you’re looking for another method to prevent bruising, you can try arnica pills. Arnica pills are derived from arnica plants, and can be found at most drugstores like CVS or Walgreens. Arnica is often used to prevent bruising and swelling and can also help with some mild levels of pain.
Vitamin K can also help you avoid bruising by strengthening the walls of your blood vessels. You can get a boost of Vitamin K by consuming an increased amount of kale, collard greens, chard, spinach, and broccoli. Less potent but still healthy and Vitamin-K rich foods include pork chops, chicken, soybeans, kiwi, avocado, and green beans.
You should always be wearing sunscreen and protecting your skin, but make sure that you are extra vigilant about this right before your appointment. Certain procedures, especially those that are more intensive, may not be compatible with sunburnt skin.
When the day before your appointment rolls around, you only have a few things to do before you can relax and focus on the experience.
Depending on how you make your appointment, there’s a 99% chance that you’ll get paperwork sent to you digitally the day before your appointment. This will be sent via Touch MD, and it’s a straightforward series of medical history and consent forms. Many services require individual consent forms, so if you’re coming in for more than one treatment, don’t be surprised if you have more than one form to review.
Alcohol can dehydrate you and your body, and can also make it harder for your blood to clot. For both of these reasons, it’s best to avoid alcohol for at least 23 hours before your appointment and ideally 72 hours before injections.
You don’t need to bring a list of each and every skincare product you own, but if you’re able to, it can help your provider give you better recommendations and advice. It can also help your provider identify any important gaps in your skincare regimen and help you fill them if necessary.
The day of your first appointment is finally here! Here are some things you can do to make sure the day goes smoothly.
If you have makeup on when your appointment starts, we can remove it, but it’s always best if you come to your appointment with a fresh and clean face. Your provider may have to reschedule your injections if they are unable to clear the full face of makeup as this can be a source of infection post treatment.
You should always be hydrating, but drinking enough water leading up to your appointment can help encourage the best results. If your appointment involves microneedling or you find that you’re nervous, hydrating and making sure you’ve eaten can help reduce the chance that you’ll get dizzy or lightheaded.
If you’ve filled out your paperwork online already, you only need to arrive 5-10 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to arrive, park, and head up to the third floor to our office. If you didn’t have a chance to fill out your paperwork online, you’ll want to aim to be there about 15 minutes prior to your appointment start time.
Although visiting a medical spa can be stressful or overwhelming at times, we want to support and encourage you every step of the way. We know it can also be an emotional experience, so our expert providers will meet you where you’re at and provide resources and recommendations to help you achieve your goals. Be sure to allow yourself to feel excited about your results and this step on your personal journey!
