Straight answers. No marketing voice.

Yes — anyone who tells you there isn't is selling you something. Expect 2-3 days of redness, mild swelling, and a sandpaper-texture feel across the treated area, then 5-7 days of pinpoint scabs that flake off naturally. You can wear mineral makeup at day three and go to a social event at day five. Real visible tightening takes 8-12 weeks because the collagen remodel happens slowly, not on the table. We treat in a three-session protocol four weeks apart for that reason.

It depends on muscle mass, prior Botox history, and how much movement you want to keep. As a working baseline: 10-20 units glabella (frown lines), 8-16 units forehead, 8-16 units crow's feet per side, 20-30 units masseter per side for jaw slimming. Most first-time clients fall in the 20-40 unit range total. We dose conservatively on first visits and adjust at the 2-week follow-up at no charge — it's easier to add a few units than to wait three months for over-dosed Botox to wear off.

They do different jobs. Hyaluronic-acid fillers (Restylane, JUVÉDERM) are immediate volume in a specific place — lips, cheeks, under-eyes, jawline. Results show same-day, last 9-18 months depending on location, and can be dissolved if needed. Sculptra is a collagen biostimulator — it doesn't add volume directly, it makes your face produce more collagen over 3-6 months. Sculptra is better for full-face age-related volume loss in 40s-60s; HA filler is better for targeted contour. We often combine them across a treatment plan.

It depends on the treatment. Filler and IV therapy are immediate — you see the change before you leave. Botox starts working at day 3-4 and reaches full effect at day 14. HydraFacial gives a same-day glow that peaks at 48 hours. Morpheus8, Sculptra, and laser resurfacing build gradually over 8-12 weeks and require multiple sessions. We will tell you at the consult exactly when you should expect to see what.

Yes. Dr. Lillian Park, our founder and medical director, is a board-certified dermatologist (ABD) and the supervising physician for every treatment performed at Lumen. She is on the premises during clinical hours, not just on paper. Her California medical license number is publicly verifiable through the Medical Board of California. We do not operate under a remote-physician arrangement — every nurse injector on staff works under direct, in-person physician supervision.

Yes — we partner with Cherry and PatientFi, both of which offer 0% APR plans (subject to credit approval) for treatments and treatment series. The application is a soft credit pull, takes about 90 seconds, and the funds are available before you leave the consultation. We also accept Alle and Aspire loyalty rewards as direct dollar credit on Allergan and Galderma products. We do not charge any consultation, facility, or financing-related fees.

Botox is adjustable at the two-week follow-up at no charge — if a small area didn't take, we re-dose it without billing. Filler is non-refundable once injected but can be dissolved with hyaluronidase at no cost if you don't love the result within the first 30 days. Unused membership credits roll over for 60 days and can be transferred to a guest. Pre-paid treatment series are refundable on the unused balance, less a 10% processing fee. We will not refund cash for services already performed in good faith, but we will make it right.

Complications from injectables are rare but real. Our protocol: if you experience anything unusual — blanching, asymmetric pain, vision change, persistent swelling beyond 72 hours — you call the concierge line which routes directly to your injector, day or night. For vascular events we keep hyaluronidase on-site and Dr. Park can dissolve filler within 30 minutes of your call. We carry full medical-malpractice coverage and a written complication-management policy you receive at intake. The goal is no surprises, including how a problem would be handled if one arose.