Cosmetic Medicine

This post is part of the Gorgeous 50’s series inspired by a book given to me by one of my sisters on my 50th birthday – ‘Grown up and Gorgeous in your 50’s’ by Pamela Robson.  I will be sharing some of Pamela’s words and my own thoughts along the way.  To see all posts published as part of this series, go here.

Cosmetic Medicine – Pamela has quite a lot more to say on the topic. To include it all in this post would make it far too long.  So, there will be a few more posts coming from her Cosmetic Medicine pages.  For example – The many uses of Botox; Liposuction; Facial Sculpting.  However, The Gorgeous 50’s series will soon be drawing to a close. We have finally nearly covered the entire book!

Pamela says:

Is it really only 10 years since the word Botox entered the beauty editors’ vocabulary? Once the domain of the rich and famous, it’s now available to every woman. We’ve come a long way in a short time. But you must still approach it with caution. Cosmetic surgery is, like everything else in your 50’s, your own personal choice. However, being ‘grown-up and gorgeous’ does not automatically require a session with a surgeon. The beauty and cosmetic medicine industries are constantly creating new ways to hold off, or reverse, the years. More and more, this involves non-surgical procedures.

THE PREVENTATIVE APPROACH

Thankfully, most of us are realistic about what cosmetic surgery can and can’t do. These days, it’s less about the surgery and more about the ‘low-invasive’ approach that can stave off the operating theatre. These are Botox, skill fillers and skin rejuvenation techniques. For example, the industry confidently predicts that women in their 30’s using Botox to stop the onset of frown lines and other muscle-induced wrinkles are unlikely to be seeking surgery as early as their older sisters once did. And even if you didn’t start having Botox until you were in your 40’s, you’ve nevertheless positioned yourself well ahead of the game.

Take Note – Cosmetic medicine is an art as well as a science and the variation between practitioners is significant. Some have a natural talent and plenty of experience – others have neither, but are great salespeople. If you’re interested in a treatment, please do your research.

THE AGEING FACE

• You’ll lose bone and muscle volume
• You’ll lose fat from your face – this especially affects women who diet and exercise
• Your cheek ‘fat pads’ descend, creating folds on either side of your mouth, and blurring the jaw-line
• The skin renewal process slows and skin becomes less elastic; static lines and wrinkles develop
• Photo-ageing – otherwise known as sun damage – accumulates, creating coarser, crepey skin
• Your upper eyelids will start to droop and bags will appear under your eyes
• Prominent vertical neck muscles may occur if you have bad posture

ONE OF THE BEST COSMETIC TREATMENTS

One of the easiest ways a women in her 50’s can lift her look is to invest in professional tooth whitening. You don’t have to go over the top and look like you’ve just stepped off a Hollywood set; a few shades whiter will do. To remove years of coffee, Coca-Cola, smoking and red-wine stains, see your cosmetic dentist for custom bleaching. This can be done over a week or two at home with a special mouth guard and bleaching gel, or – more expensively – as part of an in-room procedure with bleaching gel applied under a laser.

My thoughts:

First up … The Aging Face – Oh Pamela – that’s a bit of a depressing list!!  So dear readers, don’t blame the messenger. It was Pamela who made that list!

Before I get into some of the treatments mentioned by Pamela, I’ve gotta say how sad I am that woman as young as in their 20’s feel they need to inject their skin and lips and so on in order to feel ‘acceptable’.  Your skin in your 20’s is beautiful and I wish they would leave it alone.  Many of them take themselves from natural beauty to plastic beauty and I think it is a tragedy.  I also feel uncomfortable with this paragraph from Pamela’s words above that went like this:

“…the industry confidently predicts that women in their 30’s using Botox to stop the onset of frown lines and other muscle-induced wrinkles are unlikely to be seeking surgery as early as their older sisters once did. And even if you didn’t start having Botox until you were in your 40’s, you’ve nevertheless positioned yourself well ahead of the game.”

I believe words like this can scare women into have treatments done before they even need to.  I am also not too sure that starting botox treatments in your 30’s will stand you in good stead once you reach your 50’s, 60’s and beyond.  I have heard to the contrary.  I’ve heard that Botox use before it’s really needed can have an adverse affect on your skin, and that there can be side effects from Botox, particularly long-term use.  I’d do my research before diving into the Botox world, particularly if you’re only in your 30’s or even 40’s.  That’s just my opinion though and I am certainly no medical expert!

Botox – I do think it’s great that it’s more affordable these days and therefore more accessible. Personally, I’ve never had Botox but that doesn’t mean that I never will. I have an open mind and one day I might try it (but only after I’ve done my research and am sure it is a safe choice).  I think that whatever makes us feel better about ourselves is a winner, especially if it is affordable and safe!  However, I do think Botox can be overused as per my paragraph above.

Skin fillers – I don’t know much about these except that they only last say 3-6 months and you have to go back for more?  This could get expensive!  I’ve never had this done either, but who knows, one day I might!  In saying that though, I do not like the plastic over filled face look at all.  Facial expressions are beautiful, well earned, and unique to the individual.  Too much filler can erase them and then the face looks like every other face full of filler, which is a very sad thing in my opinion.  Subtle improvements are ok by me. Plastic results – no thank you!

Skin Rejuvenation – I guess there are many treatments that could fall under this category.  My daughter gave me a gift voucher for my birthday (nearly 6 months ago) for a Microdermabrasion treatment which I have finally booked myself in for next week!  That could be considered ‘skin rejuvenation’.  So I guess I’m all in for this one!

Cosmetic Surgery – at this stage I have no plans for surgery to improve my face and to be honest that is highly likely to never change. I doubt very much that I’d ever resort to that but I don’t judge anyone that might choose this path. As I said earlier, whatever makes us feel better about ourselves – as long as you do your research and ensure your safety!

Teeth Whitening – I asked my dentist about the cost of having this done there at the dental surgery and nearly fell over when I was told.  WAY.TOO.EXPENSIVE!!  Just recently though, I decided to try a home kit.  I ordered from SmilePro Worldwide.  I did the first lot of recommended treatments and there was maybe a slight improvement but nothing major.  I will try it some more before I pass judgement.  It was pretty easy to do, and affordable, so we shall see!  

What are your thoughts on Cosmetic Medicine?  Injectables and rejuvination techniques only?  Open to cosmetic surgery?  Have you had your teeth whitened?  Would you?  

Ciao for now,