eyelash growth

You’ve probably heard the term “Preventative Botox.” But did you know ladies much younger than myself are getting facial injections to delay the aging process?

photo via Sickhop

A couple months ago, I dug into research about Botox, Restalyne, and other injectables in a quest to discover if John Kerry had used the products. his people denied it, naturally.  however, 3 out of 4 doctors we asked claimed that yes, John looks like he had some very good work done.  Anyway, in the middle of my research, I discovered that the average age of women using injectables is dropping. They’re incredibly popular with 20-somethings as a means to stay young, and there are endless physicians who claim it’s preventative. But how, you’re probably wondering, can something be preventative if it just fades away in 6-8 months?

I don’t know the answer to that. I can’t predict the future. But I can tell you what it’s like for a twenty-something to experience injectables…because I decided to do it myself.

In an effort to really understand the anti-aging industry, I headed to Skin Deep Med Spa on Newbury Street, a major drag of Boston that’s seen its share of Botox and silicone. the receptionist coyly admitted to me that she uses injectables. (I thought it was rather interesting that she was shy about it, seeing as she works in a spa that applies injectables all day long!) Do you think it prevents wrinkles, I asked? “Yeah, definitely,” she said. “I mean, look at my skin. I think it keeps your skin looking the age you were when you started getting it.” so does that mean a 50 year old woman who started Botox at 30…has the skin of a 30 year old? that can’t be possible.

I met with Nichole, the spa’s owner. A registered nurse, she became certified in injectables and has made quite the life for herself. the anti-aging industry is a lucrative one, I have to say. Men AND women will drop significant money just to make themselves look younger. But are we just kidding ourselves? Are we so vain that we refuse to recognize the aging process is a natural and inevitable one?

After looking at my skin and asking what my goals were, Nichole applied a numbing cream to my face. Now I should say, I really don’t have many wrinkles. I’m only 26, and I take very good care of my skin. I moisturize every day, apply eye cream every night, and NEVER sleep in makeup. so really, I didn’t have a lot of damage done. that said, I do smoke a few cigarettes before I go to sleep every night (strange, I know) and that’s one of the prime causes of wrinkles. But still, Nichole found some areas that could use some work. my eyebrows were uneven. One of my eyes kind of dips lower than the other. the Nasolabial folds, from my nostrils down to the corner of my mouth, could use a little smoothing. And when I smile (and I smile a lot. SMILING’S MY FAVORITE) tiny wrinkles form in the areas near my dimples. Nichole assured me that would all be cleared out.

My face numb and covered in goop, I laid back in the chair and prepared to get shot up. you don’t Botox around your mouth, an area you obviously want to be able to move. you get fillers, like Restalyne and Radiesse. (I got Radiesse since it lasts longer.) Slowly she stuck the needle in my face and injected me with Radiesse. There was a little bleeding, but nothing severe. I was actually expecting it to be painless, like an acupuncture needle. And um…that’s not what’s it’s like. I have a pretty high pain tolerance, and the sensitive areas around my mouth felt just like…I was getting a shot at the doctor, but in my face. Not exactly my favorite part of the day.  But almost instantly, the Radiesse took action. Lines were smoothed. the tiny wrinkles in the corner of my mouth were gone. my face was still a little swollen, but the difference was visible to me.

Next was the big B: Botox. Botox paralyzes the muscle so…you can’t move it. But of course, that means wrinkles are also unable to form. We decided to do it right across my lower forehead, and above my brows, since they’re uneven, and one of my eyes droops a bit. (That sounds severe, and I’m probably the only one who notices.) Nichole injected the botox, and it didn’t hurt as much as it did on the sensitive parts of my face around the mouth. But still, it felt like getting a shot. I had a bit of a headache after the injection, and a little inflammation of the skin. Here’s my photo immediately after the injections, and you can see that my face is swollen. Look around my mouth and in the nasolabial folds from my nostrils to my mouth. That’s where the needles went in. this is what your skin looks like immediately after:

A few days ago, actress Megan Fox posted photos of herself making facial expressions. she crinkled her forehead, a.k.a. something I can no longer do now that I’ve had Botox. (Trust me, I try to do it all the time when I look in the mirror.) from the photos, it looks like she hasn’t had anything done in her forehead. But I was looking back at some photos from the past, and came across this comparison: Megan Fox in 2007 vs. Megan Fox in 2010.

Now I’m no expert, but I’m thinking there’s some obvious differences that sure as hell don’t come along from a tube of lipstick and some under-eye concealer. so why does Fox feel she has to deny that she’s had work done? is she (or her handlers, rather) so fearful of having her appear vain that she’s willing to lie about it?

While researching John Kerry’s skincare regimen, I asked my brother about the topic of injectables. he was one of the four doctors I surveyed about Kerry, and he himself is an anti-aging specialist. Now I don’t know what he has done, but I wouldn’t doubt he uses his products on himself in order to be a sort of sandwich board for his medical practice. when I was somewhat shocked at all the efforts people make to look younger, my brother said this to me: “Vanity is just admitting that you care what you look like.” We know people dye their hair, put on makeup, and work out frequently in order to achieve the look they want. so why is getting a shot of botox in your head considered taboo?

Overall, I’m very pleased with the results. the fine lines on my face are smoother, and I definitely do look more refreshed. to the right is my photo after the swelling went down, and below is the finished product. Sure, getting expensive injections is a bit more severe than getting a hair cut. But I look at plastic surgery like this: I may not have the intention to do something, but that doesn’t mean I don’t deserve the right to. And if I so choose, I deserve to be able to do it without suffering from the criticism of those around me. We all deserve the autonomy to make these decisions for ourselves. will I do it again? I’m not sure. But I’ll tell you one thing…It’s my body, my Botox, and my business.

Skin Deep Med Spa

(617) 266-7546. 231 Newbury Street second Floor Boston, MA 02116

The prices of injectables varies based on where you go. Always feel free to call and ask before you get anything done. Restalyne is sold by the vial, while Botox is sold per area on the face. make sure you always get this done by A CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL!

Tox for Tots: Botox Grows Down (Blackbook)

Is Preventative Botox Right for you? (StyleList)

this entry was posted on Sunday, July 10th, 2011 at 7:32 pm and is filed under Boston. you can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. you can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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