Dealing with Pre-Procedure Anxiety

/
alexandra-gorn-471463-unsplash.jpg

Theodore Roosevelt once said that the “only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Well, that’s great for Teddy but we’re pretty sure he was never on the other end of a Botox needle! The truth is that medical procedures can be intimidating, especially when you’re unprepared or unfamiliar with the process.

If you’re one of those people, you should know that there are things you can do to ease your stress and change your perspective towards the whole experience.

Educate yourself

The unknown is scary, especially when shots and lasers are involved. That’s why knowledge is power and the more you harness, the better you’ll feel about the procedure. Before you schedule your appointment, have a prepared list of questions to ask the staff and be sure to listen closely to any pre-procedure instructions they have for you.

Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the details of the procedure and recovery, you’ll be walking into your appointment with more clarity and confidence.

Take care of you

Taking what you learned from your research and instructions, you will be able to better prepare yourself for the big day.

This includes:

  • Getting plenty of rest the night before

  • Eating a healthy meals

  • Participating in stress-relieving activities such as exercise, yoga, meditation, etc.

  • Following all pre-procedure instructions

If there’s a recovery period following your appointment:

  • Arrange for rides to and from the office (if necessary)

  • Prepare a “recovery area” in your home where you can rest and relax

  • Listen and follow all post-procedure instructions

Bring a friend

There’s nothing wrong with needing support- especially when it comes in the form of a friend and a hand to squeeze.

Discuss your options

Being open and transparent with your technician about anxiety can help build trust and also uncover options you may not even you have to make the procedure more enjoyable for you.

At SkinSpaMed, we offer the PRO-NOX™ system, a pneumatically driven gas system designed to deliver a 50% oxygen and 50% nitrous oxide mixture for the relief of pain and anxiety during procedures. The system is patient-controlled Inhaled Analgesia for In-Office Use and takes effect in seconds, offering immediate relief of pain and anxiety. And, it wears off as quickly allowing you to drive to and from your appointment. It only costs $149 and can be added to any service or procedure at SkinSpaMED. Just let us know when you are scheduling if you want to add it. 

The last and most important step is to remember that what you’re feeling is normal! The key is to take advantage of your resources and remember that fear is temporary and the amazing results are what lasts.