Sweet Tox, lip injections, bodily autonomy

Right after moving to Milwaukee, I treated myself to an exciting and reaffirming method of self-care: I got lip injections for the very first time.

It was surprising for a couple reasons: first, I didn’t previously know much about lip injections. Second, much like getting tattoos, I never really imagined myself being an active participant in the injectables culture. And third, like most people, I’ve been on an ever-evolving journey to understand what self-love and autonomy means to me; injections brought me to a new pane of acceptance and understanding for my body and beyond.

This year, I returned for my third-ever session and what has become my annual treat-yo-self birthday gift to myself. It’s been a highlight of the past couple Marches, but this time around felt extra special because of this year’s Golden Birthday Month extravaganza.

Here’s how it went, followed by a breakdown of my lip injection judgment journey.

My lip injections experience

Why Sweet Tox

Like many of my important local services, I originally found Sweet Tox, a pink-themed medical boutique, on Instagram. I was immediately drawn to their fun and professional vibes. They’re feminine and silly, but also serious about providing quality services and educational resources to ensure that their clients create informed choices.

Notably, Sweet Tox posts educational content about injectables. You know what to expect, what goes into your body, how to best utilize the expertise of their registered nurse injectors. They have tips, tricks, and honest answers about who best qualifies for a treatment versus who would not.

Plus, Sweet Tox is impressively transparent when it comes to price. Their website lists flat rate prices, so there’s no sticker shock or hoops to find out more information.

Sweet Tox’s tagline aligns with my own mission to give appreciation and love to my body, mind, and spirit: “Sweet · Tox · [/swēt/ /täks/ ] · noun · A place where self love isn’t selfish. · A place where self love is first love.”

After booking an appointment, Sweet Tox sends clients an email with important links. These include intake forms and a gallery of videos with allllllll the relevant information. They break down the basics and fundamentals of lip injections, including product types and sizes, plus tips, tricks, preparation, and the risks.

And, most of all, the results and in-person experience have spoken for themselves. I’ve been injected by knowledgeable registered nurses, with experience and education and a full client list of proof. I love my results and treatment, which is why I’ll continue to return to Sweet Tox again and again.

If you live in Milwaukee or are planning a visit, I highly recommend Sweet Tox as your medical spa.

This year’s experience

Round three at Sweet Tox was a pleasure, as always.

This time, there was an added layer of cool, because of Sweet Tox’s location change. Previously, Sweet Tox was located in a strip mall spot in New Berlin, WI. Since summer 2023, the business has relocated into a repurposed mansion in the Menomonee Falls area.

This year, I went with a full syringe of a natural plump. This adds volume to the layers from the last two years.

For my first time, I went with a natural plump product in a mini plump size for a very subtle enhancement. As I’ve gone more, I’ve become more comfortable with a more product. I know how my lips react and settle, and how it looks over time. Everyone is different! Some lips require more, some less. It all depends on what you’re looking for.

I learned about different products and sizes both in online videos provided by Sweet-Tox as well as during our initial in-person consultation. My lip goals continue to be:

• Adding a natural enhancement
• Adding hydration to my lips
• Building a fuller profile
• Evening out the proportions between my top and bottom lips

My lip injections were quick and easy. As a first-timer, I had a 20-minute consultation (discussing my goals, thoughts, fears, and any questions). This time around, I said, “same as last time, please!”

From there, I took before photos on a rotating platform, then I was numbed and given a squeeze ball and vibrating distraction tool to hold on my chin. The lip injections took maybe five minutes total. There were a few pinchy parts, but it was quick and over before I knew it.

Afterwards, they provided me with ice, I paid, and I was out the door! A full syringe cost $800. I avoided booze for a few days to limit swelling and bruising. It takes about two weeks for the filler to settle, and lasts about a year or so.

Sweet Tox
N80W12878 Fond Du Lac Avenue, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
Hours: by appointment only
Phone: 414.882.0082

This year: March 2024

Last year: March 2023

First time: March 2022

My judgement journey with lip injections

I’ve seen a lot of transformation in both myself and the general public when it comes to cosmetic enhancements, like lip injections, Botox, fillers, plastic surgery, and the like.

Hell, one of my core memories is in seventh grade when all the girls around me bragged about how they had no desire to wear makeup—they knew how unimportant and shallow it was to care that much about how you look.

Note: I was three layers deep in a cakey foundation on my face, feeling shameful in my acne cover-up and wishing very deeply that I could feel that same confidence.

It was hard not to grasp onto that attitude and sink my teeth in, with black and white judgements.

I mean, we all know that what’s inside matters most, and not to judge others on their appearances. I’ve known that and felt that and believed that since the start, and still do.

However, things changed when I asked questions about these beliefs. When did this emphasis on appearances begin to negate how we present ourselves and the effort to which we should or should not care? Why is there a moral value placed on the types of judgement we have (i.e. it’s bad to judge someone based on their looks, but it’s good to judge them if they care about how they look)?

Before: never good

In college, I was very interested in asking questions about body modifications and the beauty industry.

• Why do we have these standards of beauty?
• Who do they benefit most?
• What is the damage being done when we seek out very specific definitions of Eurocentric beauty?
• Who wins, who hurts?

While seeking answers, I found myself still thinking that many people who choose beauty alterations did so at the hands of capitalism, whitewashing, fatphobia, ableism, and the billion-dollar beauty and fitness industries.

Even lately, I’m asking relevant questions about why we commodify our bodies in the first place.

• Who are the trend-setters who have taken credit for these new movements?
• Is it their credit to take?

(I’m specifically referring to Kardashian/Jenner clan, who is lauded for popularizing lip injections, though most of their inspiration comes heavily from uncredited People of Color.)

These are all valid pieces of commentary and important questions to ask. But asking questions isn’t the same as placing value judgments on others, and deciding what they should or shouldn’t do with their bodies.

Now: all about body autonomy

In the years since, I’ve come to realize that while it’s a good idea to always understand and acknowledge reasons why there are beauty and body trends, it’s more important to give the grace of a simple mantra:

How others choose to feel good, is none of my business.

Women are already policed for every choice we make.

It’s done to us, and by us. It’s not up to me to say that a cosmetic alteration is done out of self-consciousness is wrong, so long as the person is happy with their choice.

Another form of self care

I think it’s a form of self care to pursue something that makes you happy. It doesn’t matter if it’s a nap, a facial, eyelashes, a run, a movie marathon, or a lip plump.

It comes down to body autonomy. That’s all, that’s it. That’s what body modification is: we have the choice to make the changes we want (or need) and the means to do it. So we can, and we will.

If you want to think about why something is trending or why you feel compelled to change, go for it—I do! But then I go back on my merry way and think instead about the joy I feel for doing something for myself.

My tip for lip injections and other body modifications: get to the bottom of the root cause. Sit with it, then decide if it serves you to act on it or not. And always remember that you are perfectly fine as-is without any kind of modification. The decision to change should be completely up to you, for you.

I have two examples:

First, I like my face. I like the idea of making my lips a little bigger and proportional to each other. At first, it probably had to do with trendiness and I’ve seen so many beautiful examples from people I know, care about, and follow. So I did it. Now, lip injections have become a regular piece of my self-care routine and I simply like them.

Second, however, are prevalent thoughts about my body and weight gain and years of growing into an adult body. I’ve seen it all, from skinny teas to waist trainers to other IG fixes. I’ve checked them out in the past, thought about why—standards of beauty, a pressure to take up less space, a culture that doesn’t cater to curves—and then realized that fuck no, I’m good as-is.

It’s all subjective, and that’s both the beauty and the point. Whether it’s lip injections or other body modifications, it’s up to you. Always.

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