BOTOX ANYONE?
Just kidding. Well, kind of. We've talked about our gray hairs and our aging bodies, both of which I've accepted as a fact of life for me. But now, repeated comments by my mother about my quickly multiplying wrinkles have me thinking.
Seems like ever since the third baby was born last year I get a new one every day. To call them "laugh lines" doesn't quite do them justice. As I ran past a "medi-spa" the other day, I wondered if a laser lift, collagen injection, or a little alpha-hydroxyl could make up for all the years life guarding without sunscreen and scowling at my children. At the very least, the days of my apricot scrub and yellow Clinique face lotion are numbered as I search out a wrinkle-plumping product to invest in.
I know I should just accept my new found wrinkles, and I probably will...eventually. But until then, how do you approach yours? With love? Night creams? Eye creams? Do you think they work or is it just a marketing conspiracy that preys on the aging phobic?
I'm almost 40. So far, I've got more bags than wrinkles.
I've found that smiling more makes my sagging face look younger. It's free and makes people around feel good.
Also, eye cream, daily sunscreen-laden facial moisturizer and avoiding sun tans.
Posted by: Lady Jane | October 21, 2008 at 05:26 PM
I am only 24 but I feel like all beauty products, except handmade and wholesome sundries, are aimed to get women to spend money. Women desire to keep their youth's beauty fresh and eternal, when I healthy women become more beautiful as we age. I've heard of the craziest concoctions to keep skin plump, to buff out wrinkles, to erase signs of aging. I am not sure if it is the companies' fault by producing or our fault by falling prey to consuming all of these things! Healthy diet, sleep, a good hygiene routine, and smiles are things I wish to always have.
Posted by: Sofia | October 21, 2008 at 09:29 PM
Before I turned 35 I thought I would just roll with it and see lines and wrinkles as part of me. Now that I've just turned 36, I don't want to feel old, and when I see crow's feet and blotchy skin in the mirror, it makes me feel old. I've just revamped my skincare to include vitamin c and retinol, and I use an eye cream every day. I'm not ready to look like my mother yet!
Posted by: Heather K | October 21, 2008 at 10:54 PM
I think it's all a big waste of money. Unless you use botox and the creams on a regular basis you will just revert back to your 'original' look once you stop. Have you seen the prices of those products?!?!
I work up on the hill and pick the brains when I get a chance. Your best bet is proper nutrition, read DRINK LOTS OF WATER and pick a different ethnic background, try Asian, and go back 20-30 years and erase all those sun worshipping days:O)
Not great advice, huh.
Posted by: bearlee | October 22, 2008 at 07:09 AM
I turn 34 on Friday (how did this happen?!) and I know the best thing I can do NOW is to keep slathering my daughters with sunscreen, keep them hydrated and encourage them to moisturize : )
Posted by: hayley | October 22, 2008 at 08:47 AM
Some days I look in the mirror and think that my laugh lines and crows feet make my face prettier and more animated. Some days, usually after reading a magazine or watching tv, I feel pretty low about my older-than-30 looks.
I remember thinking my grandmother's wrinkled face was the most beautiful face in the world. I try to remember that when I see my own wrinkles and grey.
I agree with the advice above -- drink water, eat a balanced and healthy diet, use sun screen, use moisturizer (mine was recommended by my dermatologist and costs only $8 at Walgreens) and wear a hat.
We could spend our time and money chasing a youthful look, but I’d rather spend my time chasing my kids and spend my money on their college fund or really fun family vacation!
Posted by: emily | October 22, 2008 at 09:05 AM
I'm 42. My face is holding up pretty well. Truly, this is just good genes. I'm a gardener and an outside person... I've made my share of no-sunscreen mistakes. I do think its okay to remove moles, laser broken veins and straighten one's teeth. I don't think its okay to use my family's money in pursuit of "looking young". Also, I'm raising a daughter here. I don't want her to think that all grown women hate themselves, their faces or their bodies. I don't want her to buy into the "beauty in a jar" nonsense. So my advice? Be healthy and look at the mirror less. Cultivate a beautiful smile and a serene spirit.
Posted by: philomom | October 22, 2008 at 09:27 AM
To be completely honest, if I could afford it, I would do it. I’m too scared to do any kind of major surgery (so far), but I don't have a fear of peels, lasers or injectables. Maybe it’s really shallow, but I do miss they way I looked when I was younger. It is a huge part of self—and maybe my not being able to afford it will teach me some acceptance over time. But, right now, if I had funds to do some of the little stuff—for wrinkles, fine lines and cellulite—I’d do it.
Posted by: anon | October 22, 2008 at 10:30 AM
I think there are things that can be done... Firstly, be honest with how you feel about your looks. After some introspection, if the lines really bother you, then take action and don't bother feeling guilty about it. If you decide to take action, I would recommend going to a dermatologist to talk about your skin, prevention and a regime that suits you. If that includes laser removal of rosacea (best thing I ever did) and a new cleansing and moisturising routine, then there you go.
Getting some help to look your best is not the same as trying to achieve an unrealistic youthful image. Think Real Housewives of Orange County... Not the same. Each of us hopefully knows our value extends beyond our attractiveness. I know that in my heart, but I still wanna look good...
Posted by: Monica in Cali | October 22, 2008 at 11:13 AM
I hear ya, Heather K. I turned 35 this year and had my first child last year.
Last year, when I turned 34, I had just given birth to my son, without medication, and felt pretty darn proud of my body for what it had accomplished.
Fast forward to this year -- wrinkles are actual wrinkles, and not just "lines," and a new gray hair every couple of months! Hmmm, where is that confidence I had last year?
I am a big believer in facials. They are physically and mentally rejuvenating!
Posted by: SJ | October 22, 2008 at 03:02 PM
um, emily, what is the name of the mosturizer? =)
Posted by: shannon | October 22, 2008 at 04:05 PM
The moisturizer is called CeraVe
Posted by: emily Nazarov | October 22, 2008 at 09:59 PM
I don't know... My mind occasionally wanders in that direction, and then I see some extreme example of some woman chasing after that fountain of youth - Madonna springs to mind - and I'm relieved that I don't need to live up to that sort of standard (whether imposed by Madonna or by her fans, beats me, but the result's the same). It's easier and more pleasant not to be weighed down by inevitable things like wrinkles...
Posted by: rockstar mama | October 22, 2008 at 10:24 PM
40 is GREAT! Bring on the gray hair, wrinkles, and the CHARACTER. :) I did get lucky with inheriting great skin. My mom never minded gray. Her mom never did either. It's a badge of honor. I do pluck my chin whiskers though, lol. Guess that's my one concession to vanity. :)
Posted by: KE | October 22, 2008 at 11:07 PM
A great resource for this is cosmeticcop.com.
Remember that Robert Redford remarked once that the lines on our faces are a map to our soul...
But please stop using the apricot scrub!!! Try baking soda and warm water, much gentler and effective. The Apricot stuff will lacerate your pores! Even better a quality salicylic acid (neutrogena makes one).
I shy away from natural products...they actually more often contain alot of skin irritrants...even if they smell good.
Also remember no skincare claims are regulated by the FDA so companies can say anything they want, period.
Use a good UVA/UVB sunblock rain or shine every day! At least SPF15!!!
Avoid ALL EYE CREAMS. The moisturizer you use on your face should be fine for your eyes (but through the yellow clinique stuff away, Clinique makes far more advanced products that actually bind moisture to your skin and protect against free radicals...but nothing gets rid of wrinkles...if it did we would have a cure for cancer by now!).
If you go the laser route (which I did twice, thank you Dr. Lee @ OHSU), IPL does great for age spots and redness. Pricey though! In today's economy, it's not on my list!
Paula Begoun at Cosmetic Cop is the Ralph Nader of cosmetics (she wrote the Beauty Bible, among others). She has sound, basic, inexpensive advice. Since I started reading her reviews and following her advice, people come up to me all the time asking what I do!
Practically nothing! Hah!
Love those wrinkles though! Those lines are beautiful!!!!
Posted by: erika p. | October 23, 2008 at 09:56 AM
Eye creams are useful! They're MADE for your eye area, unlike facial moisterizers.
Just the other day, I tried skipping my eye cream and used my moisterizer all over. It got in my eyes and my eyes turned red and weepy for 2 hours. It was painful too.
Posted by: Eye Cream Defender | October 23, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Its not the wrinkles that get me. I don't mind them on me or anyone else!
Its the sagging face, the aging neck, and the deepening "marionette lines" that make me look old and haggard. I like the idea of a resembling my old youthful face a bit more but won't pursue fillers and plumpers for financial reasons as well as just general squeamishness about the idea.
Posted by: anon | October 23, 2008 at 01:51 PM
Miss Eye Cream Defender:
If the moisturizer you use for your face, irritates your eye area, then you are using the wrong moisturizer! They majority of eye creams actually cause minor inflamation in the sub-cutaneous layers of skin, plumping the skin up to give the false impression of wrinkles minimizing. But eye creams are a HUGE scam. There is absolutely no reason to use them. If you have the proper facial moisturizer you don't need them. Read Paula's website or pick up "Don't go to the COsmetic Counter Without Me" or "the Beauty Bible." This woman studies thousands upon thousands of DOUBLE BLIND objective studies of every cosmetic ingredient under the sun. And if a product has not been through this type of rigorous testing she will not recommend it. Her books have a glossary of every ingredient possibly used in any cosmetic product and how it affects the skin. Especially notes what has been proven harmful or an irritant (all Natural products are very often culprits..).
One more thing: if your facial moisturizer irritates the skin around your eyes, why on earth would you put that on your face?
Posted by: erika p. | October 23, 2008 at 10:09 PM
Anon...I'd do it too if I could afford it. I would not only do it - I would LOVE to do it. Some of you may think that I'm shallow and vain - but at heart I'm just a girl that likes to look pretty. But I'll tell you one thing. I would never trade intellect for beauty.
Posted by: Melissa MM | October 24, 2008 at 03:47 PM
Can someone recommend a good esthetician? I have tried several dermatologists about my skin issues and none of them seems to take a very wholistic approach to the issue nor do they want to actually discuss options with me. They all just "prescribe" things. A friend recommended finding a good esthetician who will work with me to improve the health of my skin... suggestions?
Thanks!
Posted by: Wendy Temple | March 11, 2009 at 11:37 AM
For anyone who actually HAS had botox, any recommendations? I'm not looking for an argument against...just suggestions on where to go.
Posted by: anon | February 22, 2010 at 10:33 AM
37 and I'm still a very pretty lady. I don't mind the wrinkles actually. Crows feet and lines next to my mouth just make it look like I smile a lot.
...It's the DROOPING FACE and especially my upper lip. It makes me look unhappy when I'm not.
Sofia the 24 year old, that's what I thought when I was your age. Wait til you get here.
Has anyone tried any facial rejuvenation or dermatology centers around Portland. Or a good dermatologist who doesn't say "pish" to these issues.
I just found the following online:
Emerge Medial Spa
Thrive Aesthetic Anti-Aging Center
Waldorf Center
Vanderveer Center
Any thoughts on these?
Posted by: Natalie | April 01, 2010 at 03:25 PM
Dr. Bar at OHSU dermatology is very good and not overly "sales-y". I have had botox and laser treatments at her office and been very happy.
Posted by: Kelly | November 01, 2010 at 10:10 PM
Go to Twila at the Aveda school. She is the instructor there...she's amazing! She did a peel for my mom that removed all the sun spots and mad her deep wrinkles look like fine lines. The facials are very good quality, they use more natural ingredients and not very expensive because it's a school.
Posted by: APS | January 27, 2011 at 09:39 AM
Has anyone heard of the Galvanic Spa by NuSKin? It has changed my life! My skin looks better now than it has in 10 years. In fact, I got such great results and love the products so much I became a distributor. Check it out http://www.ageloc.com/us/us-en/spa.html
And if anyone is interested I can give you a free demo so you can see how amazing the results are.
Posted by: Michaela Santen | January 27, 2011 at 09:40 AM
emu oil!
Posted by: rebecca | January 27, 2011 at 04:00 PM
I go out dancing where there are lots of men older than I am. I feel young, and attractive, and happy that way.
Posted by: Jenny | January 27, 2011 at 06:03 PM
All I can say is that Meryl Streep is at least 15 years older than Nicole Kidman, and Meryl Streep looks great and happy and Nicole Kidman looks spooky. I can't say what it is, but I'm guessing Nicole has had some sort of Botox plus wrinkle plumping thing. Her own poor face seems to have been replaced by this taut new thing. For the sake of the people who really love YOU, please just say no.
Posted by: anon | January 27, 2011 at 08:24 PM
Pervious concrete or pervious asphalt are fundamentally the same as their sister products, but do not contain some of the smaller particles. This creates open pores
Posted by: pore minimizer | December 28, 2012 at 12:03 AM