Spa Review: Our First Time Getting TOX'd at NakedMD
NakedMD is a luxe med spa with locations in Newport Beach and Chino Hills, CA.
Botox. You know what it is. You’ve heard for years what it can do. You’ve had conversations with friends about the possibility of having it done. So what’s a girl to do? That’s easy, you push all fears aside and as NIKE’s very famous slogan says, “Just do it!” And I did just that.
The Reason:
For the past couple of years I’ve contemplated whether or not to get a few neurotoxins here and there. Looking into the mirror every day, I started to notice the years creeping up on my 38-year-old face. My forehead wrinkles were getting deeper, my crows feet were alive and walking with my smile, and my frown lines made it impossible to get a flawless finish with makeup. Not even concealer could diminish those creases.
Alright, I’ve decided. I’m getting the TOX for the very first time, but where? And with who?
Here’s what I knew: If I was going to do this, I wanted it to be done right, and the place had to cover two things on my “injectable rookie” list. First, I knew that I wanted to be in the hands of the most highly trained and professional aesthetic artists in town. Second, I wanted to go somewhere that was welcoming, warm and felt like I was going over to a girlfriend’s house.
NakedMD in Newport Beach checked both of those boxes.
NakedMD’s interior design is aesthetically pleasing to the eye with neutral tones and chic decorative accents.
The Place:
Let me just say that anyone who loves beauty and interior decorating will be in absolute heaven when they come to NakedMD.
“The main premise for our Medspa was to provide this lavish experience and this affordability,” says Shelby Harvey, Director of Marketing for NakedMD.
Their luxe and lavish location has been open for a little over six months and is aesthetically pleasing to the eye. The neutral tones in the lobby give off that welcoming, warm and modern feel. The lush boucle couch is a complete invitation to take a breath of relaxation before going in to start a treatment. The staff at the front desk are also friendly and will answer any questions you may have.
Plus, their menu of services is fully disclosed right when you walk in and helps take any guesswork out of treatment prices (btw: neurotoxin injections range between $70 to $800 depending on the number of units you need).
NakedMD’s menu offers a variety of services ranging from injectables to facials.
Each room at NakedMD is an atelier and their team consists of highly-skilled nurses and aestheticians.
After confirming my treatment time with the front desk, I walked directly to my treatment room and couldn’t help but notice the black and brass doors carried a prestigious fashion house title: Atelier.
“The idea behind everything was this is our studio, and each room is an atelier, and we have our artist injectors come in and create on their canvas—that’s you!” Harvey says.
I loved that. These artist injectors are also highly skilled nurses and have been thoroughly trained to understand facial balancing for optimal results.
The entrance to my private atelier where I received my treatment.
Ready for my first time getting Dysport!
The hallway leading to the individual ateliers.
And inside each gorgeous room are tiny touches to put nerves at ease. From comfy black chairs to full-length mirrors, soft and buttery robes for changing, calming pieces of artwork, and cozy chenille throws. The thought and and absolute care they gave to their rooms only assured me their artist injectors would be no different. My first-time nerves were slowly slipping away.
The rooms are decorated with calming pieces of artwork to help relax clients during their visit.
I kept warm and cozy under a cozy chenille throw during my treatment.
The comfortable treatment chairs.
Clients are also offered soft and buttery robes to wear during their treatments.
The Consult:
Before we got to any needles, an aesthetic artist came in to chat about my needs. I told her my exact concerns and after demonstrating a few facial movements for her she quickly recognized (because the staff are total pros) and recommended a treatment. I was a candidate for a full correction which includes the frown lines, forehead and crows feet. Bingo! The exact lines I see every day in the mirror.
A full correction will require 50 units of a neurotoxin, which sounds like a lot but it’s really only a small syringe full. Full results will come in between two to four weeks (because the muscles need training time to slow their movement), and will last three to four months. I was told that after two weeks I would have very little movement to make expressions, but not enough movement to make a wrinkle. OK with me!
As far as the neurotoxins used, NakedMD has many options including the traditional branded Botox. However, they typically suggest that first-timers use Dysport or Xeomin. Dysport has the highest active ingredient per unit, so you’ll see it kick in a little faster, while Xeomin is a purified version of a neurotoxin, so there are no additional additives.
I went ahead and chose Dysport because my impatient personality wanted to see results as fast as I can get them. Alright, it’s go time! A full correction with Dysport.
NakedMD has many options including the traditional branded Botox. However, they typically suggest that first-timers use Dysport or Xeomin.
During my treatment I was given a handheld massage tool to put on my collarbone to help me relax.
The Treatment:
My artist injector walked in and showed me the tiny needle she planned on using. They call it the Naked needle ($10) , an upgrade to the traditional needle. Trust me, this needle is worth it! It was so tiny, thin and hair like, I was certain my treatment wasn’t going to hurt. She then handed me a cold towel to put behind my neck for a comforting cooling effect and a handheld massage tool to put on my collarbone to help me relax during the treatment. She dotted the places the needle would go in and began her artistry.
First prick—what first prick? I didn’t feel a thing on my forehead. In less than three minutes she was done with my lines on my forehead and moved to the frown lines. I was told that the frown lines are always a bit tougher, but again I hardly felt any pain as she continued injecting. The only visible thing on my frown lines were the so called “botox bumps” a term used to describe the inflammation in the skin and muscles. But the “bumps” went down before I even walked out of the treatment room.
After the frown lines, we wrapped up my first injection experience with my crows feet. Done and done! There was absolutely no pain during the treatment and no pain after. Yay! As I walked out of the treatment room, I was given a sample of some skin soothers like a facial mist in case of any redness and a post-injectable serum that helps with hydration and skin’s overall look.
After three days post treatment, the skin on the upper part of my face was much firmer and glowing!
It’s been over a month now and there continue to be no wrinkles or visible crow’s feet.
The Results:
After three days post treatment, I noticed the skin on the upper part of my face was much firmer and glowing. In fact, it is well known that getting Tox specifically on your forehead will brighten it and give off a glow. I noticed that immediately while I had no makeup on. After five days I couldn’t even make a wrinkle where my frown lines sit. It’s been over a month now and there continue to be no wrinkles or visible crow’s feet. Success!
I will never forget my first TOX experience at NakedMD. They truly put their clients first by really educating them in skin health and skin’s basic needs. And I can attest that they are the premier destination for introductions to neurotoxins, fillers, or any other type of injectable.
But hold on, that’s not all they do! They’re also filling the needs of those who are just looking to get their skin back on track. NakedMD has a full menu of facials, micro-needling treatments, and peels. They’ve also tapped into the wellness game by offering B12 shots for an overall health boost.
For more information on NakedMD, visit their website or follow them on Instagram: @nakedmd_ or TikTok. Be sure to also download their new APP to also get exclusive deals.
NakedMD is located in Newport Beach at 20072 SW Birch St, Unit 290, Newport Beach, CA 92660 and in Chino Hills at 15944 Los Serranos Country Club Dr., Unit 270, Chino Hills, CA 91709 . Contact them at 949-438-7188.
[Photos provided by “The Zoghbi” and Patty Serrato]
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Patty Castellon is a two-time Emmy award winning producer who has worked in the entertainment industry for 16 years. After many years of tracking lifestyle trends by some of the most prominent celebrities in the world, she has developed a true passion to connect audiences with the latest news in beauty, fashion, and wellness. Patty is LA based, living with her husband Cesar and their three children. Follow her on Instagram: @pattylynnpix