Have you been thinking of having a cosmetic procedure but haven’t taken the leap because your fear of needles? Trust us, you’re not alone. We have hundreds of people walk through the door feeling like that. At The Retreat Clinic, your comfort and safety is our number one concern. Take these tips and tricks into consideration before your next treatment.

1. Share your fear. Instead of keeping your fear of needles secret and letting it snowball into a full-blown anxiety attack, talk to our doctor about it. Let him know about your fear. Expression and social connection often help people calm down. Our doctor will talk to you about your options and take special precautions to make the process less painful and anxiety-producing.

2. Request a topical anesthetic (numb cream). Anesthesia is a pain killer, applied onto the skin that will dull the pain of the needle. Although needles only cause a small amount of pain having the anesthetic may help get you through the door!

3. Don’t watch us administer the shot. Look away or close your eyes and try to focus on something engaging.

4. Don’t make it a big deal. Don’t think about the needle, or getting the needle. Don’t worry about the size of the needle, and don’t stress over the pain. If you keep stressing over the needle before the procedure, you’re just building up anxiety about it. In the long run, this makes the whole process more uncomfortable.

5. Think about something else. Talk to our physician (he’s a great conservationist!) Think about that party that’s coming up, or that special somebody. If you want, count down in your head; count sheep even. You could try bringing an iPod with you and listening to music to take your mind off the needle.

6. Remember to breathe slowly and deeply. Focus on maintaining your breathing. A slow, steady breath will calm your nerves and give your mind something to latch onto.

Don’t let your fear of needles get you down. Go ahead, get that Botox™ or filler. You’ll thank yourself later. Contact us today to discuss more about your fear, or to book a consultation.