Museums classify artifacts as 'before current era' (BCE) or 'current era' (CE). This can also apply to medical aesthetics. I imagine the exhibit showing a 55 year old TV character from 1980's next to a photo of a 55 year old character from today.
How can these two characters look so different? Medical aesthetic treatments. They let us decide how we want to age. Some people seek an au naturelle look, want a graceful slide into aging, and others choose a to completely change their face.
Many conversations about medical aesthetics start with, "I just don't want to look like a real housewife" or "I have this friend… omg let me show you what they've done (whips out mobile, pulls up an Instagram)." Gasps all around. It's worth nothing that those gossiped about over cocktails are often choosing to look completely changed, 'over done', or 'fake'.
The perception is, if you get several syringes or units or treatments, that you will look unnatural. The reality is that well placed product under the care of a good injector provides graceful aging. A lot of product can still look subtle.
My favorite question to ask an aesthetics doubter is, "How much do you think I have in my face?" The photo below is my BCE headshot at 19 years old next to my CE headshot at 35 years old. At 19, I am young, full of glow giving collagen, fat (the blessed kind in the cheeks), and a lack of silver strands. Fast forward 15 years…a little less glow but we've managed to maintain my overall look without looking over done. These are the treatments I received over the years.
BCE
Oil of Olay
20's
Continued 👆🏼
Quarterly Botox in the forehead, crows feet, and between the eye brows.
SPF 50 every day.
Rhinoplasty…did you know that your nose is the only part of your face that continues to grow with age? We needed to (at least) give my face a head start.
30's
Continued 👆🏼
Quarterly Botox in my masseters (the jaw muscle)
Upgraded to medical grade skincare with SkinMedica TNS Essential Serum, Skinceuticals Vitamin C+E, Dr. Dennis Gross Peel Pads, and SkinMedica AHA/BHA Moisturizer.
Annual syringe of Juvéderm Voluma in split between my cheeks
Annual syringe of filler in my lips. I've used a few lip fillers… Juvéderm Ultra, Juvéderm Volbella, and RHA 2.
Annual syringe to my lower face and chin to balance the profile. I've used Juvéderm Vollure and Restylane Define.
Quarterly Facials with Exfoliation.
CE
Added Gua Sha massage in the mornings for lymphatic drainage. The nightly wine puff doesn't drain naturally anymore…
Weekly at home exfoliation facial with Jan Marini Skin Zyme.
As you can see, I did my Aesthetics Algebra calculations and decided that these treatments have 🌟VALUE🌟 to me. If you tally it up over the years that's ~ 20 syringes of filler, 100 units of Botox quarterly, and more bottles of skincare than I can count.
I do not look wildly different that how I started because I'm choosing not too. Aesthetic treatments don't create an unnatural look. The patient's goals, the injector's style, AND the treatments create an unnatural look. And, there's nothing wrong with that. If the patient is happy and the injector is placing product safely, it's a great result.
There are a few ways to ensure you can achieve your aesthetic goals without worrying about surprises.
Do you research. Decide on your aesthetic goals then find a provider. Look at reviews, schedule a free consultation, and ask questions. This is your face! Don't rush into anything.
Choose an injector at a medical practice who looks the way you want to look. Are their lips huge? They probably like that aesthetic. If you don't like it, choose someone else.
Be consistent. Unless you are going to a class reunion and only want to look good for a short period of time…it’s a waste of money.
There are links through out this post if you want to read more about different treatments and products. Don't act surprised. I told you when we started…this is a flagrant plea for SEO algorithms thinly veiled with my passion for aesthetics treatments. Until next time…I'm off to exfoliate and make a bank transfer into my aesthetics account.
Xo,
Jen