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According to many article's I've read, the early to mid-40s are when it's time to get a little help in maintaining a youthful face, if it's something you're interested in.
For those who aren't interested in surgery, there are injections and fillers and other options that can fill in lines, puff out the face and plump up thinning lips.
There are options for just about every correction that someone feels they'd like to see.
One of the most popular cosmetic procedures that women (and men) try is Botox. This substance is made of the paralyzing toxin botulism that has been FDA approved in its changed form, for cosmetic use).
Botox is injected in various areas like around the eyes and forehead, to relax muscles and paralyze them so that they don't show when a person is laughing or frowning, or even straight-faced.
The only cosmetic procedure I have had done was Botox and had it done some time back to just see how it was. I was generally unimpressed.
Granted, I only used a very small amount around my eyes to eliminate laughter lines and I did see some improvement but I think I'll take a pass for further treatments as no one even noticed a thing and it didn't give me any kind of "boost" as I was pretty happy with the way things were.
I suppose I was just curious.
The procedure for both sides of my eyes cost me $295 and took one or two minutes to complete, and didn't really hurt.
I bruised afterwards, despite using lots of ice and the bruising lasted two weeks. I looked like I had a minor black eye on one side. It lasted for three or four months.
It was worth a shot (pun intended) and I know some women swear by it but I'll keep the real me!
Restylane is another option to ease the look of lines and plump up thinning lips. Restylane is known as a "filler" and is different from Botox in that its ingredients are placed inside the lips or lines.
Women like them for the parenthesis lines that curve around each side of the mouth and for the lines that form over the lips from aging. It's a gel-like substance that contains hyaluronic acid to plump out skin and lips.
This procedure is said to last about six months to a year, as I was told when I was considering something like this but chose Botox. It can cost from $500-750 per syringe.
There are also similar options with names like Juviderm and Perlane. Collagen is also used as a filler. There are leaflets galore on all these brands at any cosmetic surgery office.
If you have had bad acne, still have it, or have dark spots from sun damage, then a peel might work. This is something that I am considering, just to freshen my skin up.
Of course, I'll be saving for some time since I have heard it's several hundred dollars for the procedure.
As to experience that I have had with chemical peels -- Well, I saw Samantha from Sex and the City after she had one and she looked freakish -- all in a comedic way of course.
The only other experience I have had is seeing a woman coming out from the procedure and looking like a genuine burn victim. However, a friend of mine said her friend did it and did look awful for a few days but emerged looking absolutely gorgeous -- so something to think about.
Some other options are microdermabrasion that also removes the top layer of skin like the chemical peel, but isn't as deep or strong and the effects may not last as long. It costs less at under $200, as written in the menu of the skin care salon I go to.
My esthetician talked to be about this. There's less down time than there is with a deep peel but it can still take days to heal.
Its effects don't last as long as those from a peel though. A peel can produce great effects for up to a year, according to literature I've read and microdermabrasion's effects last only about six months.
The other procedure that I have been told about is done by laser and it can help against spots, acne and can help with collagen production. It can help with melasma too.
I got melasma (dark spots) during pregnancy which is pretty common. Contrary to many a report, melasma does not go away for each woman in the year after birth. I'm proof positive, although a good foundation can cover it right up.
If it seems like there are too many procedures being offered, there probably are! I have probably read even more leaflets on even more non-surgical skin treatments out there but haven't asked about them.
If you've had others or any of the above, we'd love to hear how you have liked or disliked them and what advice you have to share!
Edited by Jody Smith
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