“I Want to Look Softer, But I’m So Scared of Needles”: A Patient’s Story

When I first met her, she sat upright, legs crossed, arms folded—not in defensiveness but with a quiet mix of curiosity and caution.

She was a 30-year-old hairstylist, petite, with those striking bone structures makeup artists love. But over time, her features had started to feel a little sharper than she wanted.

“I want to look less tired,” she said softly. “Just… softer. Fresher. But I’m also terrified of needles.”

And you could tell she truly meant it.

Beautiful Structure, But Feeling Unbalanced

As we talked, I understood what she meant. Her face was defined and sharp, yet the hollow under her eyes and mild volume loss made her look more tired than she felt.

Even at her age, she was showing early signs of facial volume depletion — something common in slim people with low facial fat.

She wasn’t after a dramatic transformation. No identity changes. Just balance. Softness. A look that reflected her lively, warm spirit.

Her real fear? The needle. It was holding her back from that harmony she quietly longed for.

“I don’t think I can do this,” she admitted, tension clear in her voice.

The Day of Treatment: Overcoming the Fear

When her appointment day arrived, I could feel her anxiety. Just as the first injection was about to begin, she squeezed her eyes shut tight and tensed up completely. She gripped my assistant’s hand so hard, I joked she might need a massage afterward.

I took it slow — talking her through every step, reminding her to breathe.

When the first injection was done, she peeked one eye open and quietly said,

“…That’s it?”

We both laughed, and I could feel her tension melt into relief.

A Subtle Yet Uplifting Transformation

With careful filler placement under her eyes, her tiredness softened. Her features stayed beautifully hers, but she looked lighter, more open, undeniably refreshed.

Her smile lit up the room. Not just because she looked better — but because she had faced her fear and taken that brave step toward the natural, confident look she wanted.

In the weeks that followed, she returned relaxed and trusting.

We completed her facial balancing with gentle support around the cheeks, lateral cheek, and temples — restoring volume while honoring her natural contours.

Final Thoughts

This isn’t just about dermal fillers. It’s about courage — the courage to show up despite fear, to ask for help, and to choose yourself.

Confidence doesn’t just start in the mirror. It starts in that quiet moment of “I’m ready.”

Sometimes, feeling more like yourself begins the moment you say, “I want this,” even if your hands tremble a little.

With care,
Dr. Chia Min Shan