Frequently Asked Questions

Your Questions, Answered

Honest answers to the questions our Pickering guests ask most, from how treatments work to what to expect afterward. If you do not see yours here, book a consultation and we will walk you through it.

01

Med Spa Basics

A med spa blends the relaxed feel of a day spa with treatments that are medically supervised. At Victoria Rose Aesthetics in Pickering, that means injectables, energy-based lasers, microneedling, and medical-grade facials are all performed by our trained team under the clinical standards set by our founder, registered nurse Victoria Rose Cyr, RN, BScN.

Tipping is never expected at a medical clinic. Many of our guests choose to leave a gratuity for their facial provider or aesthetician, but it is entirely optional and never applies to a nurse-led medical treatment.

Yes. Every new guest starts with a consultation so we can review your health history, look at your skin and goals, and map out a plan that suits your anatomy. You can book a consultation online or by calling our Pickering clinic.

02

Botox & Wrinkle Relaxers

Botox is a purified protein that temporarily relaxes the specific muscles responsible for expression lines. By softening that muscle movement, it smooths lines on the forehead, between the brows, and around the eyes. Results build over a few days and last around three to four months.

For most people Botox lasts about three to four months. As the effect wears off, muscle movement gradually returns, so we usually schedule maintenance appointments a few times a year to keep results consistent.

You will often notice movement softening within three to five days, with the full result settling by about two weeks. We book any touch-up assessment after that two-week mark, once the product has fully taken effect.

Botox is made from botulinum toxin type A, a purified protein. In the small, targeted cosmetic doses we use, it relaxes only the muscle it is placed into and then breaks down naturally in the body over a few months.

Botox has a long track record when it is administered by a trained medical injector in appropriate doses. Side effects are usually mild and temporary, such as small bruises or a brief feeling of heaviness. Your consultation reviews your health history first so treatment is matched to you.

There is no evidence that Botox causes cancer. It is a purified protein used in tiny, localized doses that relax a targeted muscle and then break down naturally; current evidence shows it does not travel through the body or affect your DNA.

Botox is priced per unit, and the number of units depends on the areas being treated and how strong your muscle movement is. Because of that, we give you an exact quote at your consultation rather than a one-size price. You can also see current pricing on our treatment pricing page.

Dysport is another botulinum toxin type A product that relaxes expression muscles, much like Botox. It can spread slightly more, which some practitioners prefer for larger areas like the forehead. At your consultation we recommend the product that fits the area and result you are after.

03

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are gels, most often made from hyaluronic acid, that restore volume and support to the face. We use them to soften folds and restore volume to the cheeks, refine the lips, or sharpen the jawline. Results are visible right away and last several months to a couple of years depending on the product and area.

Most hyaluronic acid fillers settle within about two weeks as any initial swelling resolves and the gel integrates with your tissue. We assess the final result at a follow-up rather than judging it on day one.

Lip filler is usually priced by the syringe, and many people are comfortable with a single syringe for a natural result. We confirm the exact cost at your consultation based on your goals, and current pricing is listed on our treatment pricing page.

Lip filler typically lasts around six to twelve months. Lips are an active area, so they can metabolize filler a little faster than some other areas, and we plan refreshers around how your results hold.

For the first day or two, skip strenuous exercise, alcohol, and a lot of heat, and avoid heavy pressure on the lips. Mild swelling and tenderness are normal early on. We send you home with full aftercare guidance at your appointment.

If you are prone to cold sores, the small trauma of any lip injection can sometimes prompt a flare. Let us know during your consultation, because we can plan ahead with a preventative approach so it does not interrupt your results.

Sculptra is a collagen-stimulating injectable made from poly-L-lactic acid. Rather than filling a line directly, it prompts your skin to build its own collagen gradually, which restores volume and firmness over a series of sessions. Results develop slowly and can last up to two years.

Sculptra is technically a biostimulator rather than a traditional filler. A standard hyaluronic acid filler adds volume immediately, while Sculptra works gradually by stimulating your own collagen, so the change looks subtle and builds over time.

Sculptra results can last up to two years once your full series of sessions is complete. Because it works by building collagen, the effect appears gradually and then holds, with occasional maintenance to extend it.

04

Microneedling & RF

Microneedling uses a device with very fine needles to create tiny, controlled channels in the skin. That triggers a natural healing response that builds collagen, which over a series of sessions can soften scarring, texture, and fine lines. At our Pickering clinic we also offer radiofrequency microneedling with Sylfirm X for deeper concerns.

Yes, microneedling has clinical evidence behind it for improving acne scarring, texture, and fine lines by stimulating collagen. It works best as a planned series rather than a single visit, and we set the depth and number of sessions based on your skin.

In trained hands microneedling is considered very safe for most skin types. Because it works with your own healing response rather than heat or chemicals, it suits a wide range of skin tones. Your consultation screens for anything that would mean adjusting or postponing treatment.

We apply a topical numbing cream beforehand, so most people describe the treatment as tolerable rather than painful, often a light scratching or vibration. Some redness afterward is normal and usually settles within a day or two.

Many people see the best results from a series of three to six sessions spaced a few weeks apart, depending on the concern. We confirm a realistic number at your consultation based on your skin and goals.

Keep the skin clean and well moisturized, avoid active ingredients like retinoids for a few days, and use sunscreen diligently while your skin recovers. You will leave with detailed aftercare so you know exactly what to use and when.

05

Laser, Resurfacing & Skin Tightening

Laser hair removal sends targeted light into the hair follicle, where the pigment absorbs it and the heat disables the follicle's ability to regrow hair. Because it targets hair in its active growth phase, it works as a series of sessions rather than a single treatment.

Most areas need roughly six to eight sessions spaced several weeks apart, since hair grows in cycles and the laser is most effective on actively growing hair. We set out a realistic plan for your area and hair type at your consultation.

Once your series is complete, results are long-lasting, and many people only need the occasional maintenance session. Hormonal changes can prompt some regrowth over time, which a quick top-up addresses.

Cost depends on the size of the area and how many sessions you need, so a small area like the upper lip is very different from a full set of legs. We quote your specific areas at your consultation, and current pricing is on our treatment pricing page.

There is no evidence that laser hair removal causes cancer. The lasers use non-ionizing light that targets pigment in the hair follicle near the surface; there is no evidence it reaches internal organs or affects DNA the way ionizing radiation does.

A chemical peel applies a solution that gently exfoliates the outer layers of skin, prompting fresher, more even skin to surface as it heals. Peels range from light to deeper formulas, and we match the strength to your concern, whether that is dullness, pigmentation, or texture.

Non-surgical skin tightening uses energy to heat the deeper layers of skin and stimulate new collagen, which firms and lifts over time. At our Pickering clinic we offer options like Sofwave and Fotona for the face and neck, and we recommend the right one at your consultation.

Mild to moderate skin laxity after weight loss often responds well to energy-based tightening that rebuilds collagen. Very significant loose skin can sit beyond what non-surgical treatment achieves, which is something we are honest with you about at your assessment.

06

Facials & Skin Health

A vampire facial pairs microneedling with platelet-rich plasma drawn from a small sample of your own blood. The PRP is rich in growth factors, so applying it during microneedling can enhance the boost to tone, texture, and glow.

A PRP facial uses platelet-rich plasma concentrated from your own blood, which is applied to the skin alongside microneedling. Because it comes from you, it is a natural way to support collagen and a healthier-looking complexion.

We generally postpone elective treatments like PRP facials and microneedling during pregnancy and breastfeeding as a precaution. We are happy to map out a plan you can begin afterward.

The refreshed look from a PRP facial builds over the weeks following treatment as collagen responds, and a series gives the most lasting result. We usually suggest periodic sessions to maintain the glow.

07

Skin Concerns

Acne scars respond best to treatments that rebuild collagen and resurface the skin, such as microneedling, radiofrequency microneedling, and certain lasers. The right combination depends on whether your scars are rolling, boxcar, or pigmented, which we assess in person and plan around.

Flat dark or red marks left after a breakout often fade on their own over several months, especially with sun protection. True indented or raised scars do not usually resolve without treatment, which is where resurfacing and collagen-building options help.

Retinol can improve the look of shallow scarring and discoloration over time by speeding cell turnover and supporting collagen. For deeper textural scars it works best alongside in-clinic treatments rather than on its own. We can build a home routine that complements your plan.

Hyperpigmentation is an area of skin that has produced extra melanin, leaving it darker than the surrounding skin. Common types include sun spots, post-acne marks, and melasma, and each responds to a slightly different approach, which we plan around after looking at your skin.

Treating pigment usually combines in-clinic options like targeted lasers or peels with a home routine and daily sunscreen to prevent it returning. Because melasma in particular can be stubborn, we set realistic expectations and a maintenance plan at your consultation.

Freckles themselves are largely genetic, but sun exposure makes them darker and can lead to separate sun spots, which are a form of sun damage. If new or changing spots concern you, an assessment helps tell harmless pigment from something that needs a closer look.

08

Fat Reduction & Body

Fat dissolving injections use a compound that breaks down small, stubborn pockets of fat that resist diet and exercise, such as under the chin. They work gradually over a series of sessions and suit targeted areas rather than overall weight loss.

Treated fat cells are typically cleared by the body and do not regenerate in that area, so results there are long-lasting. Maintaining a stable weight keeps the result looking its best, since remaining fat cells can still enlarge.

The area under the chin is one of the most common places fat dissolving injections are used. Most people need a small series of sessions, and we confirm whether it suits your anatomy at your consultation.

09

Wellness & Hair

NAD+ IV therapy delivers a coenzyme your cells use for energy directly into the bloodstream through a drip. People choose it as part of a wellness routine for support with energy and recovery. We review your health history first to confirm IV therapy is appropriate for you.

Vitamin B12 supports your energy levels, helps your body make red blood cells, and keeps your nerves healthy, and an injection delivers it efficiently for people who are low or who absorb it poorly through diet. Many guests include them as a regular part of their wellness plan.

Some people notice a lift in energy within a day or two of a B12 injection, while for others it builds over a course of regular shots. If you consistently feel low in energy, we can talk through a sensible schedule.

Victoria Rose Aesthetics offers vitamin B12 injections at our Pickering clinic on Altona Road as part of our wellness menu. You can book online or call us, and we will review your history to make sure it is a good fit.

Still have a question?

Every face and every goal is different. Book a consultation at our Pickering clinic and we will give you straight answers built around your skin.