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I still receive emails from my dermatologist’s office in Austin. I went there twice (and the first time, I saw a technician, or assistant, not even the actual doctor!) and left with a Clarisonic Pro (I’m very happy with this, for face and body with 4 speeds) and Neocutis Lumiere Bio-Restorative Eye Cream with PSP (made my eyes pucker up red and wrinkled, even with the most sparing touch) and Neocutis Bio- Gel Bio-restorative Hydrogel with PSP (was too scared to use it after the eye situation). I’ve never had any type of injections, no botox or fillers. I’ve never been against it, mind you. I’ve just never done it.
When your nails look like shit, uneven, cuticle disaster, brittle with thick ridges and very soft tips, you think it’s impossible to make any of it look even mildly approachable. And yet, a half hour in the corner salon, and your fingertips look polished and smoothed, as if each nail bed is a fat jewel. It amazes me. No matter how bad it looks, once you leave, you’re a smoothed cushion of lovely. I would love to believe that the same could be said about a visit with your dermatologist.
Aggressive facial poking aside, and never mind the redness or, oh, no!, swelling—wouldn’t it be nice to know that someone had your back face? Without regard to their own personal gain, they’d advise you on how to truly look your best in the most naturally-seeming way possible. Your cheeks will be fuller and hollows filled, circles—or pockets masquerading as circles—a thing of your past, expression lines? Not you. You look moisturized, radiant, plump and smooth, but to describe you, someone would simply say, “Good genes, natural beauty, so lucky.”
I am clueless when it comes to dermal injectables. I’m only familiar with the term since reading that recent Austin email. I’ve heard of Botox, Juvederm and Restylane (heard that one hurts like a monkey eating your face), but I was clueless when I came upon this list:
Artefill®
Belotero
Dysport®
Hyperhidrosis
Perlane
Radiesse®
Sclerotherapy
Sculptra
Radiesse (and Perlane) vs. Sculptra. The price of Radiesse is $925 per syringe; the cost of Sculptra is $1250 per vial.*
Botox vs. Dysport. The cost of a Botox or Dysport treatment starts at $550 and is determined by the areas treated.*
*Prices from a totally random NY doc website, no one I’d ever go to
Sigh. It feels overwhelming, and I feel a little behind, in terms of keeping myself looking my best. At least, I go to the gym three times a week to lift weights, doing a group fitness circuit training type class, which does make me feel better about taking control of my health. But as for the rest, I need some guidance and recommendations.
As for products, I think I need some Retin-A (for random acne and skin turnover) and 4% Hydroquinone cream to lighten any sun spots. And a major heavy duty eye cream that nourishes, something to kill any redness or irritation that usually accompany these other creams (so not an anti-aging eye cream which will only burn like a mother). I swear, it’s like needing downers because you’re on uppers. It also feels odd to say this, especially as someone who has dealt with body fat issues her whole life, but I wouldn’t mind (I did not say NEED) a more enhanced cheek (not an implant or anything severe, just some fullness).
I’m also very interested in testing out the new REN Bio Retinoid Anti-Aging Concentrate, particularly because it claims to have the benefits of Retinol without the harsh irritating effects. I’ll let you know once I’ve tried it. And the Murad Resurgence line of products (to address hormonal aging), said to reduce the appearance of “medium to deep wrinkles and increases skin firmness by 42% in 10 minutes.” Hello, friend. I’m on that, too. Will let you know. Trying Murad first.
