Having a solid relationship with your cosmetic practitioner is important. Not only are cosmetic treatments an investment, but they are a medical procedure that should be performed by a knowledgeable, passionate, and caring practitioner who understands your goals and feelings. It’s your face that people see first after all!
Here at Beauty Boost medical spa in Newport Beach, we value this relationship and want to help ease any apprehension you may be feeling about a cosmetic injection or treatment. Whether you have already had cosmetic enhancements or you are thinking about it, our nurse practitioner, DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) Anisa Munshi invites you to learn a little bit more about herself.
Why made you go into the field of beauty and facial cosmetic injections?
Ever since I was young, I loved anything and everything transformational. Even with makeup, I found that you can enhance someone’s beauty without altering it surgically. This was fascinating to me! Initially, I wanted to pursue beauty school to become a makeup artist but instead, I completed my BSN at UC Irvine. Because I knew I loved beauty as well as science, I decided to research internship opportunities in cosmetic dermatology. A perfect hybrid of both cosmetology and medicine!
I interned for a world-renowned dermatologist and pioneer of Lumescent Liposuction, Dr. Jeffrey A. Klein. Outside of observing him in the operating room, I would shadow his nurse practitioner. Not only did she practice general dermatology, but she also performed cosmetic injectables. That’s when I fell in love with cosmetic enhancements! Just like makeup, a little went a long way and I loved the art of restoring and boosting someone’s underlying beauty. I later graduated with honors from UC Irvine’s first nursing school cohort knowing exactly what I wanted to do with my life.
How did you prepare for a career in Cosmetic Injections?
Aside from my undergraduate internship, I worked in the intensive care unit at Saddleback Memorial caring for critically-ill patients and supporting their families. During this time, I was accepted into the third-ranked Nurse Practitioner program in the country, University of San Diego. While studying full-time in the BSN to DNP accelerated program, I also worked in the cardiac ICU part-time. It was very challenging but made me a stronger clinician in the end!
I graduated in 2015 at the age of 26 – the youngest to obtain my DNP degree in the nation! Immediately after graduation, I was offered a position at a medical spa in San Diego where I trained in different aesthetic procedures including lasers. This was by far my best educational opportunity that helped launch my career in cosmetic injections.
Is there a difference between a facial injection, filler, or boost? Sometimes the terms can get confusing!
There are so many terms out there to describe the same cosmetic treatment! And it really depends on the medical spa or practitioner. Here at our medical spa in Orange County, we like the term ‘boost’ to describe any injection that is ‘boosting’ your already natural beauty. It can describe a facial injection of dermal filler which provides enhancement, but not surgery. Think of it like a branded term since our name is Beauty Boost Med Spa :).
In general, a cosmetic injectable is a beauty enhancing treatment that is commonly injected into the face. This includes neuromodulators such as Botox and Dysport, as well as hyaluronic acid-based fillers such as Juvederm fillers and Restylane. All of these are temporary and need to be maintained for lasting results.
Facial fillers are becoming more and more popular as an alternative to plastic surgery since traditionally, a cheek or chin implant would have been required to address facial definition or even a rhinoplasty for refining any nose humps or bumps. All facial fillers can rejuvenate the skin by reducing or eliminating wrinkles, raising scar depressions, enhancing lips and replacing soft-tissue volume loss.
What are the benefits of injection-based beauty treatments vs. topical products like serums?
Prescription and non-prescription strength topicals, such as facial serums, are great for the outermost layer of the skin, or the ‘epidermis’. These facial topical treatments are recommended for daily skincare maintenance to help provide hydration, stimulate collagen, as well as even out skin tone and texture. But if one would like to restore or enhance certain features such as their cheeks, jawline, chin, nose, or lips, dermal fillers are the best course of treatment since facial serums cannot volumize or re-contour the face.
A great example is our Eye Boost treatment. Unfortunately, under eye creams cannot restore the volume of the ‘tear trough’ area or fix deep hollows. Only dermal fillers can help restore the volume in this area (or boost the appearance!), which will make the under eye appear rejuvenated and well-rested. However, topical under-eye creams should be part of a daily skincare routine since they help decrease fine lines and wrinkles as well as increase hydration and health of the skin.
What are the most common facial injections in Orange County?
The most common facial injections we see at our Orange County medical spa are lip fillers or what we call ‘lip boosts.’ Thanks to the Kardashians and Kylie Jenner, this is a huge nationwide trend! I am seeing a lot more younger patients boost their lip volume with lip injections as opposed to neuromodulators (such as Botox), which, historically, was the first treatment patients sought after to preserve their appearance.
There is a major cultural shift occurring right now with the younger generation opting for dermal fillers before neuromodulators. Instead of ‘preserving’ a younger appearance, they want to ‘boost’ their appearance with cosmetic injections. Other types of dermal fillers on the rise are facial re-contouring filler injections such as cheek, jawline, chin and noses. These, again, are becoming more popular as alternatives to plastic surgery.
In general, what facial filler to you think has the most results in the shortest amount of time?
I believe cheek and chin fillers are the most immediate gratifying cosmetic injectable treatments I provide in my practice. Every single one of my patients I have injected in these areas have immediately loved their results!
What was the most life-changing cosmetic treatment you’ve performed for a patient?
Non-Surgical nose jobs, or what is also known as liquid rhinoplasty, are the most life-changing treatments I have provided for my patients. These are areas that most patients feel very self-conscious over and they often have had the most difficult time deciding between surgery or leaving it the way it is. What is remarkable is that liquid rhinoplasty takes just under 10 minutes and I am able to provide them a result that only a surgery would have normally provided. It’s amazing!
Be honest, what’s your favorite treatment to perform?
My favorite treatment to perform are under eye fillers. This facial area is one of the most challenging areas to inject, yet it provides immediate restoration with a natural result. It takes a patient from looking very tired to well rested within minutes! I personally feel the most passionate about this procedure being half Indian, as this is a genetic issue I have encountered most of my life. After receiving my first under eye filler, it eliminated the need for under eye concealer, color correctors, brightening powders and so much more. I was able to focus more on my other features instead of being fixated on this one problematic area. I was able to master this treatment by attending multiple trainings over the years and learning from world famous cosmetic practitioners on how to fill this area safely and naturally.
For those looking to start botox and other injections, what age do you recommend they come in for a consultation?
In my practice, I treat those who are 18 years and older. I don’t think that starting at the age of 18 is too young because the treatments I provide are preventative and provide natural yet subtle results. Again, we are talking about boosting your own beauty! Our goal at Beauty Boost Med Spa is to enhance, not augment, and we will always provide that result. Guaranteed!
