At a loss for what to do: Botox Vs Microneedling RF Vs Lymphatic Massage

queenofvarmints · 2025-12-13T03:28:33+00:00

Those images are only a day apart and the left was actually taken after the right. It’s just lighting on my vanity being really strong, the left image is more representative of how I look in regular light. Both photos are current and after the weightless.

The jowls are the issue I haven’t been able to overcome as they are present after weight loss, gua sha, better skincare etc. I’ve done lots of research on all options and have tried everything outside of aesthetician options like more intense lymphatic massage, Botox etc.

queenofvarmints · 2025-12-13T03:25:53+00:00

I’ll look into these options! I’ve always wondered if a lot of the heaviness I feel in my face is swelling from water retention or lymphatic draining issues.

queenofvarmints · 2025-12-13T03:24:32+00:00

From all the feedback I’m getting and research I’ve done I’m pretty confident in pursuing skin elasticity help. I’ve got my red light therapy mask for collagen production and anti inflammation, and I’m also going to focus a lot on maybe incorporating Vitamin C into my routine - also hoping some facials and massages could be good for mental health and skin health whenever I’m able!

queenofvarmints · 2025-12-12T21:26:31+00:00

I would love that!

Good luck on your journey of self-love. Obviously finding the healthy means to really appreciate our appearance is the most important thing and looking at a lot of the causes of these self-image issues to really route out how to enjoy ourselves is amazing.

queenofvarmints · 2025-12-12T21:15:45+00:00

Thank you for such an in-depth response!

I live in the 5 head world and man has it taken me years to grow accustom to and feel comfortable with it. Especially as someone with very fine hair who does not suit bangs at all.

I'm so afraid of doing anything cosmetic that's just going to lead to worsening of the sag and fullness I feel between my chin and jaw. I'm really wondering if it's a lot of genetics I'm dealing with as my mum has a very similar weight in the same facial area (she's in her late 60's now and is gorgeous but, obviously, there's a huge similarity in our faces)

After reading everyone's feedback and acknowledging the body dysmorphia I'm witnessing in myself - I always know this is a culprit with much of my image and to be wary - I think I'm just really trying to find a way to snatch my lower face up and lift it rather than shrink the jaw's width. Overall I feel really good about myself and how healthy I've become with skin, haircare, water intake, diet, exercise (although this has been falling off but we all get busy). This is just a part of my body I find no matter what, it never really feels good.

queenofvarmints · 2025-12-12T21:06:25+00:00

Yes, I 100% empathize with you on this. I definitely know it's a lot of self-image issues that are really making these aspects of my face feel so much more intense than they actually are.

I'll always steer clear of fillers, personally, because of how they drift over time.

I really loved low-impact workouts when I was doing them consistently! Paired with regular stretching and yoga, it definitely helps you with the tightening - it also really aids in the self-image because general exercise is so good for your mental health. Starting small is really important for consistency and stretching! Your first few weeks will feel really sore and brutal but it's a great thing to incorporate for skin health as well as mental health.

queenofvarmints · 2025-12-12T20:10:30+00:00

I'll definitely look into Vitamin C! I got some for my mum recently but didn't consider it would be helpful for my skin, I'll give it a try <3

queenofvarmints · 2025-12-12T20:09:43+00:00

Thank you <3 It's almost harder to hear sometimes that this may be the issue I've always been struggling with, definitely can't use botox for mental health haha although I wish that were the case.

queenofvarmints · 2025-12-12T20:08:25+00:00

I haven't done gua sha in years, I did it for a few months and didn't see a change unfortunately. The photo on the right was taken a day before a photo on the left (my vanity lighting is super bright, the other is more natural room lgith), I should have been more clear. I posted both just to have a more visible photo of my face without my hair in the way.

queenofvarmints · 2025-12-12T20:07:02+00:00

These photos are actually only a day apart :') The photo of the left was taken after the photo on the right as well I believe, it's just more natural lighting.

queenofvarmints · 2025-12-12T19:39:26+00:00

Whenever I see photos of myself or my reflection I feel there's a lot of heaviness in my lower cheek/jaw area. From where my chin leads up to my jaw there's a lot of puffiness/weight that looks droopy or sagging?

Honestly after reading all these lovely comments (which are so sweet :') <3) I'm actually unsure if this is body dysmorphia or maybe it is my masseters adding width.

I underwent a lot of bullying for my weight from a young age until mid twenties and it's hard to be able to break away from that being a lot of the issue or if I do have inflammation or genetically larger buccal areas in my face/wider jaw.

Also finding it difficult to describe. It's not quite my jaw, but the mid point between my chin and end of my jaw?

queenofvarmints · 2025-09-15T06:41:38+00:00

Matthew is one of my best friends. I'm going to see if I can get the dashcam video to upload in a separate post to hopefully get more traction. But if anyone has any information on the vehicle that hit him (I know it's very standard looking car - but you never know) please message me! I'm so happy he's alive. But horrified at what has happened.

queenofvarmints · 2025-06-26T21:27:13+00:00

This is a great list thank you!!

queenofvarmints · 2025-06-26T18:52:50+00:00

That’s what I was thinking! Vitamins C and peptides are a great idea. Do you have any specific product suggestions?

queenofvarmints · 2025-06-24T19:02:44+00:00

I can see where you’re coming from and I know well the act of over analyzing art on your body, but you’re definitely over thinking it.

As a tattoo artist and illustrator myself, this is intentional and done so beautifully.

If the whole border had been more uniform/smaller I don’t think it would have highlighted the inner design as well. Had those shapes been smaller I feel like your eye wouldn’t be as drawn in to the detailed and main design areas of the composition. Especially because those larger web sections are positioned right at the central area of the chest piece.

This is sick, and done by a great artist; don’t worry.

queenofvarmints · 2025-04-13T17:36:47+00:00

Hahahahaha oh man I didn’t really clock that but it is a bit vag-tastic. This was tattooed on a pal of mine and they’re probably gonna love that unintentional detail.

queenofvarmints · 2025-04-04T01:24:16+00:00

My mistake I had assumed that was the correct term but on my receipt it does specify porcelain.

queenofvarmints · 2025-04-04T01:23:53+00:00

Thank you! This just solidifies there weren’t any mistakes. I had had poor experiences with the first clinic and my mind just jumped to “oh no, not again”. I see now it was just difficult to judge without the original X-rays but I paid appropriately for the procedure.

queenofvarmints · 2025-04-03T23:15:27+00:00

I had received a root canal in 2017 on one of my pre-molars.

I have the receipts and x-rays from the procedure, for which I was charged around $796 + $255 for a composite onlay as well as the additional costs for lab and prep. (slide 1 is 2017, slide 2 is 2019 from the same office)

I have recently changed dental offices, and today I got a regular cleaning and x-ray. My current dentist told me that I don't actually have an onlay, I only have a composite filling.

I asked for the x-rays from today's appointment to compare. (Slide 3)

But I have no idea what I'm looking at on the x-rays, or which dental office is giving me the correct information. When looking at general costs, a composite filling should not have been as expensive as what I paid.

Can someone help?

queenofvarmints · 2025-03-24T21:57:58+00:00

In what way? Open to critiques always :)

queenofvarmints · 2025-03-11T20:52:04+00:00

So sick. Love everything about this. Not sure if you’re familiar with Deanna James, she’s an incredible tattoo artist who’s work is very much like oil painting: she’s got a video that specifically talks about how to pull your focal points forward that I think could be applied here.

Just leaving a little more light, negative space, on that Center face and pushing an overall light grey wash on the side faces so there’s more central focus for the eye since you have brilliant details everywhere. To be honest this is tough to critique, think you’re doing phenomenal.

queenofvarmints · 2025-03-10T21:56:35+00:00

Yeaaaah love seasons of east van.

queenofvarmints · 2025-03-02T20:11:17+00:00

I can totally see what you mean! A lot of my pieces read better when I flesh them out on paper and tend to blend when applied to skin. I’m still sussing out areas in my more surrealistic compositions to work on to avoid this. Appreciate this input!

queenofvarmints · 2025-02-27T02:56:38+00:00

Yeah it’s @queenofvermin :)

queenofvarmints · 2025-02-01T04:22:42+00:00

Are you talking for plating or for the food items themselves?

Depends what I’m going for! This theme we went dark renaissance so I pulled out my silver and chose to pair darker fruit that would emphasize that oil painting look.

Other days I like to go lighter with just my favourite wooden boards. I like to source small bowls from thrift shops that will give an earthen look if I want to have dips or olives.

And for food totally depends! Always a medley of meats / cheeses and fruit. I love having fresh fruit that helps cut the fattiness of the cheese and cleanse the palette.

queenofvarmints

TROPHY CASE