Your First Visit at Belle Lumiere Aesthetic
If you've never had injectables before, the idea of a first appointment can feel intimidating. Most of that intimidation is just fear of the unknown. Here's exactly what happens, start to finish.
Before You Arrive
When you book, you'll receive a confirmation with new-patient paperwork to fill out online. This saves time at your appointment and lets Andrea review your medical history before you arrive.
A few things to know:
Avoid blood thinners (aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E) for 3–5 days before treatment, if medically safe for you to do so. This reduces bruising risk.
Skip alcohol for 24 hours before. Same reason.
Arrive with a clean face if possible.
Bring photos if there's a specific look you want to discuss — or specifically what you want to avoid.
When You Arrive
Belle Lumiere Aesthetic is located at 20254 Detroit Rd in Rocky River. Andrea will greet you personally and bring you back to a private treatment room.
The Consultation
Every first visit starts with a real conversation. Andrea will ask:
What brought you in today?
What do you see when you look in the mirror that you'd like to change?
What do you not want to change?
Have you had any aesthetic treatments before? What did you like or not like about them?
What's your timeline — are there any events you're prepping for?
She'll then assess your face — looking at proportion, balance, movement, and skin quality — and walk you through her recommendations. This is the part of the visit that takes the most time, and it should. You'll leave knowing exactly what's recommended, what it costs, and why.
There's no pressure to do treatment the same day. Many patients consult and book their first treatment for a future visit. That's fine.
The Treatment
If you decide to proceed, Andrea will take before photos for your file, cleanse and prep the treatment area, apply topical numbing if needed, and inject the product.
Treatment time depends on what you're having done — Botox is 10–15 minutes, lip filler is 30–45 minutes, cheeks or chin is 30–60 minutes.
Aftercare
You'll receive written aftercare instructions before you leave. Highlights:
Botox: No lying flat, no exercise, and no rubbing the area for 4 hours.
Filler: Some swelling and tenderness is normal for 1–3 days. Avoid intense exercise for 24 hours.
Bruising: Possible with any injectable. Arnica supplements (started a few days before) can help.
You'll get a follow-up text from Andrea a few days after your appointment. If you have questions or concerns at any point, you can text or email directly.
What If I'm Nervous?
That's normal. Most patients are nervous at their first visit. A few things that help:
Ask every question. Nothing is too small.
Tell Andrea what you're worried about. "I'm scared of looking frozen" or "I had a bad experience somewhere else" — this kind of context shapes the treatment plan in your favor.
Start small. You can always add more product. You can't easily remove it. Andrea's default is to do less than you might expect at a first visit, then build from there.