Frequently
Asked Questions

General FAQs

  • Hjem is located at 107 Third Ave N in Minneapolis. Located in the Saxon Building, once you enter either take the elevator or stairs up to suite 300 on level 3.

  • manager@hjemaesthetics.com

Tox FAQs

  • Toxins: Toxin is an umbrella term that covers FDA-approved neuromodulators such as Botox, Dysport, Juveau, Xeomin, Daxxify. At Hjem Aesthetics, we carry both Botox and Dysport.

    Benefits: Toxins relax the muscles that can cause deep lines on the face and can help soften lines and improve skin quality. Toxins can also treat excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), TMJ, and migraines.

    Treatment: Tox treatments are nearly painless treatment with minimal/no downtime. As with any injections, there is slight discomfort when the needle is placed under the skin. Ice is applied prior for a natural anesthetic and helps the treatment to be considerably more comfortable. Slight swelling or “wheels” are desired when material is injected but will dissipate after 15-45 minutes. Bruising is not common but possible.

    • Avoiding Advil, Ibuprofen, Aleve, Aspirin, Motrin, Vitamin E, fish oil, St. John’s Wort, and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory products 14 days prior to treatment will help decrease your chance of bruising.

    • Avoid alcohol 24 hours before your treatment to reduce the chances of bruising.

    • Schedule your injections appt at least 1 month prior to a special event, such as a wedding or vacation. To allow yourself time for a follow-up 2 weeks prior. Results may take up to 2 weeks to appear. Bruising and swelling may be apparent in that period of time.

    • You are not a candidate if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

    • If you have an egg allergy, history of Lou Gehrig’s, peripheral nerve issues, myasthenia gravis, previous muscle weakness with carcinoma, blurred or double vision or drooping upper-lids, you are not a candidate for neurotoxin.

    • You are NOT a candidate if you have an active infection in the area of treatment.

    • Do NOT massage/rub the treated areas for 48 hours

    • Do NOT perform strenuous activities (heavy lifting, cardio, yoga, etc.) for 24 hours.

    • Do NOT lie completley flat or upside down for the first 4 hours to avoid product migration.

    • No facials, massages, facials, guasa, or using any Clarisonic devices for at least 10 days following injections.

    • Avoid tanning beds, steam rooms, and saunas for 48 hours

    • Please wait until the day after treatment before wearing hats or headbands.

    • If there is bruising at the injection site, apply ice.

    • Avoid make-up for at least 2-4 hours to area treated.

Fillers FAQs

  • Fillers like Juvederm and Restylane are very versatile and can be used to minimize nasolabial folds, marionette lines, enhance jawline, lips, temples and much more. These Hylaronic acid fillers provide natural-looking results by smoothing away facial wrinkles and enhancing your natural beauty.

    At Hjem aesthetics we utilize all FDA approved Hyluranic acid (HA) fillers to address volume loss as well as enhance facial features. HA fillers are HA is a natural substance in your skin that delivers nutrients, helps the skin retain moisture and softness, and adds volume. Different formulations are approved to either lift cheeks, smooth parentheses lines, smooth vertical lip lines or plump the lips. The results are subtle and long lasting.

    Depending on the type of HA filler used, you can expect to enjoy the continued results for up to 1 year, and in some cases up to 18 months to 2 years. This type of fillers includes the Restylane family of products as well as the Juvederm family of products.

    Benefits: At Hjem aesthetics we use a facial balancing approach, which is a highly skilled level of assessment that takes the facial proportions into consideration when determining the best treatment plan for you. This plan will include volume restoration and/or specific augmentation, while maintain balance for the most natural looking outcome that only enhances your natural beauty.

    Treatment: The treatment itself will take 45-120min and we will do everything we can to make it extremely comfortable. Bruising and swelling are very common after treatment and so planning your schedule accordingly is important.

  • We kindly request that you carefully review the following information as it contains important details. The following are contraindications with your filler appointment. Please call the office if any apply, we will need to clear it with the provider or reschedule your appointment.

    • Any vaccinations/boosters in the last 2 weeks

    • Breastfeeding or pregnant

    • Keloid scaring

    • Taking antibiotics for an active infection

    • Taking blood thinners or steroids

    • Chemo/radiation in the last 12 months

    • Allergies to lidocaine

    • Dental work within 2 weeks of injections

  • The treated area may be swollen, sore, bruised and/or lumpy/bumpy. Apply ice lightly to the areas injected, for 10 min each hour. Numbness from the lidocaine may persist for 1 to 2 hours. Avoid all medications/supplements/foods/alcohol (unless medically necessary) that were listed in the pre-care instructions until swelling and bruising have healed. If you experience a need for pain relief, please use Tylenol (unless it is contraindicated to a condition you have or medication you are taking). If you are experiencing bruising or swelling, please apply Arnica gel (this is an over-the-counter supplement that can be purchased at your local pharmacy) until bruising/swelling subsides, unless it is contraindicated with any of your medications/medical conditions.

    • Please allow 4 weeks (4-6 weeks for lips) for the filler to fully settle prior to evaluating results.

    • If you want more volume or notable change to treatment area you may require additional product, this is NOT a touch-up. You will need additional appts to reach your aesthetic goals.Do NOT massage/rub the treated areas at anytime unless instructed to do so by your provider.

    • Do NOT perform strenuous activities (heavy lifting, cardio, yoga, etc.) for 24 hours.

    • No facials, massages, exfoliating, gush, or using any Clarisonic devices for at least 10 days following injections.

    • Avoid tanning beds, steam rooms, and saunas for 48-72 hours.

    • Please wait until the day after treatment before wearing hats or headbands.

    • You may apply ice following treatment and for the first 48 hours to reduce severity of bruising. Apply for 10 min every hour or as instructed by your provider.

    • Take Arnica Tablets to help reduce severity of bruising and swelling.

    • Apply arnica gel/cream to area of treatment.

Sculptra FAQs

  • Sculptra is an injectable dermal facial filler that’s used to volumize areas of your face in order to create a softer, more natural and youthful appearance. It also builds your own collagen as it gradually dissipates.

    Sculptra treatments diminish wrinkles, lines, and furrows that can form around the lips, eyes, mouth, neck, cheeks, and lips. Using Sculptra can give you a more revitalized appearance with results that can last up to two years or longer.

    Benefits of Sculptra: Sculptra is considered a safe, biocompatible, synthetic material that’s often used to restore lost volume in certain areas of the face. Sculptra is the injectable variety of poly-L-lactic acid, which is a substance that’s been used for more than 30 years regarding absorbable sutures in addition to other medical applications. Since Sculptra is a biocompatible substance, pretesting for allergies isn’t necessary.

    Once Sculptra gets injected into your skin, it boosts collagen production. In the end, more collagen is produced naturally and works to add volume in order to correct indentations, folds, and wrinkles. Also, because Sculptra is somewhat thick in substance, the effects of the plumping can last as long as two years, which is considerably longer than most dermal facial fillers.

  • The following are contraindications with your Sculptra appointment. Please call the office if any apply, we will need to clear it with the provider or reschedule your appointment.

    • Any vaccinations/boosters in the last 2 weeks

    • Breastfeeding or pregnant?

    • Keloid scaring

    • Taking antibiotics for an active infection

    • Taking blood thinners or steroids

    • Chemo/radiation in the last 12 months

    • Allergies to lidocaine

    • Dental work within 2 weeks of injections

  • You will be completing a treatment using a Collagen/Bio Stimulating product called Sculptra.

    • Please note that Sculptra is a powder that must be reconstituted and suspended in sterile water before injecting it into the skin. Therefore, it is important to remember that immediately after your treatment; you will feel full in the areas treated which is a direct effect of the water injected into those areas. This fullness will completely disappear over several hours once the treatment is completed and the areas treated will then look exactly the same as they did prior to having the treatment. Collagen stimulation will naturally start to occur approximately 8-12 weeks after the treatment and will reach a peak within the first 6 months. Please do not equate the lack of immediate result with a treatment failure – the results are delayed and will be slowly increasing over time. Initial treatments will require 2-3 sessions of Sculptra injections.

    Instructions:

    • Avoid the use of Aspirin, NSAIDS, Ginko Biloba, Garlic Supplements, Green Tea, Flax Oil, Cod Liver Oil, Vitamins A, and E, and essential fatty acids for up to 1-week pre and post-injection as they will increase your risk of bruising.

    • Do not drink alcoholic beverages 24 hours before (or after) your treatment to avoid extra bruising.

    • You may take Arnica tablets 2-3 days prior to your injection to reduce the risk of bruising.

    • Do not apply products that are potentially irritating for 2 -3 days before and after treatment (examples- tretinoin/Retin-A, glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, hydroquinone)

    • Inform your provider if you have a history of cold sores to receive advice on antiviral therapy prior to treatment

    • Do not use the above stated if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or are allergic to any of its ingredients. Please inform your provider if you have any questions about this prior to the treatment.

    Day of Treatment:

    • For facial treatment, please arrive with a clean face and do not wear makeup.

    • You may experience a mild amount of tenderness or stinging during and following injection.

    • Redness and swelling are normal. Some bruising may also be visible.

    • Massage the areas 5 times a day, for 5 minutes each time, for 5 days after treatment.

    • You may take Acetaminophen/Tylenol if you experience any mild tenderness/discomfort.

    • Massage is essential in preventing nodules/bumps in the areas injected.

    • After treatment, there will be moderate swelling and redness with the possibility of bruising. These symptoms will resolve in about 7 days. You may apply or take Arnica tablets to help decrease the amount of bruising

    • Avoid extended UV exposure until any redness/swelling has subsided. Apply SPF.

    • Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours to reduce bruising. You may resume other normal activities/routines immediately.

    • Avoid submerging in a pool, jacuzzi, or the ocean for 24-48 hours after treatment.

    • Avoid laser, IPL, or skin tightening treatments of the area for at least 2-3 weeks.

    • You may continue your topical products as mentioned above 1 week after injection.

    • Your next treatment should be scheduled for 5 weeks.

Microneedling FAQs

  • • If you have a special event or vacation coming up, please keep in mind that you should schedule your treatment at least 2 weeks in advance.

    • If you have a history of cold sores, we recommend you are pretreated with acyclovir prior to your injections. Please let us know if you need a prescription called into your pharmacy.

    • Avoid alcohol and cigarettes 24-48 hours before and after your treatment, as these may contribute to increased swelling, bruising, and irritation. Limit caffeine intake.

    • It is not recommended to do microneedling if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

    • If you develop a cold/flu, cold sore, blemish or rash, etc. in the area to be treated prior to your appointment, we recommend you reschedule your appointment until it resolves.

    • We highly recommend a topical vitamin C and A (retinol) to promote skin health. Stop these 5 days prior to microneedling. Resume after skin is healed.We recommend waiting at least 2 weeks before and after your microneedling to have any other cosmetic facial treatments, including Botox, dermal filler, laser, ultrasound, peel, facials, microdermabrasion, etc.

    • Schedule your next microneedling treatment in 5-6 weeks after your first one. Best results are from a package of treatments.

  • • Cleanse 2x daily with gentle cleanser.

    • Apply Revision Hydrating Balm or Rescue Calming Complex as often as needed.

    • Avoid added heat such as saunas and/or hot tubs for 72 hours.

    • Avoid direct sunlight for 72 hours.

    • Avoid makeup for 48 hours.

    • Avoid exercise for 48 hours.

    • Avoid exfoliation for 7 days.

    • Apply mineral SPF daily.

    • You may take an oral antihistamine as directed for any itching.

    • You may take Tylenol as directed for discomfort.

    • You may return to your normal skincare routine within 5-7 days.

    • Redness, dryness, itching, swelling and pin point bruising is normal and will gradually resolve.

VI Peel FAQs

  • • One week before peel, patient should avoid: Electrolysis, Depilatory Creams, Waxing, Laser Hair Removal

    • 3 days before peel, patient should avoid these products and/or procedures: Retin-A ® , Renova® , Differin® , Tazorac® ; any products containing retinol, alpha-hydroxy acids or betahydroxy acids, or benzoyl peroxide; any exfoliating products or procedures that may be drying or irritating.

    • If you are prone to herpes simplex outbreaks, such as cold sores, consult your provider on ways to treat prior, or discuss whether the procedure is appropriate for you.

    • If your face or treatment area has irritated skin (sunburn, open wounds, warts, sores, excessively sensitive skin) the day preceding your appointment, please contact our office before your appointment.

    • Chemical peels are contraindicated in patients with a history of recent chemotherapy or radiation therapy; allergies to salicylates like aspirin, phenol or hydroquinone allergy; rashes, or skin reactions; vitiligo, autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, lupus, multiple sclerosis), liver condition, or any condition that may weaken their immune system; and pregnancy or breast feeding.

  • • Shaving can be resumed after the peeling process is complete.

    • Waxing can be resumed 2 weeks after peeling process is complete.

    • Exfoliating products can be resumed 1 week after peeling process is complete.

    • Swimming/Pools can be resumed after peeling process is complete.

    • Scheduling the Next VI Peel Body: VI Peel Body treatments should be scheduled every 4-6 weeks (for best results)

    • Flaking/Peeling typically begins 5-7 days after the peel is applied. When this begins, remembering the following:

    • Skin will feel tight or dry right before it peels.

    • Do not pick, pull, or roll the skin as this could lead to significant irritation and possible hyperpigmentation and scarring.

    • Peeling may look like light flaking, sheet peeling, or may be barely visible to the naked eye. The amount of visible peeling you will experience varies greatly. You will peel as much as your skin needs to peel.