One of these is not like the other
Drooped and Wrinkled or Contoured and Smoothed Out?
No women over 50 I know want the words “droopy,” “saggy,” or “wrinkly” to describe them, myself included. So when I was one of five lucky recipients of a Restylane facial aesthetic treatment at the recent Bloggers at Midlife conference (B@M), I shouted out with confidence and glee, “huh? What’s that?”
I had never pondered getting any facial cosmetic procedures, so was unfamiliar with the range of options. My approach thus far to retain good skin tone has been to drink lots of water and exercise regularly, both considered effective. I wasn’t really sure what I was getting into, but it sounded deluxe. And free (thanks to Restylane; its parent company, Galderma; Dr. Aspacio, and Dr. Annie Chiu. Consider this the official disclosure).
Who Wants Younger Looking Skin?
Are you like me when it comes to aging actively — pretty game to try new things? Let’s hope you are not like me in one regard: being clueless what a facial rejuvenation or facial filler treatment is. I had never heard of Restylane or Galderma. Hint – it’s not botox or cosmetic surgery.
One thing I did know as I raised my metaphorical midlife hand to take advantage of this valuable prize, is that skin is the body’s largest organ. And my skin had seen better “organ-ized” days. (Cracking myself up with that pun). So long undefined cheeks and wrinkles around my mouth; good-bye laugh lines. I hope and trust….
I was directed to a back corner of the conference room where a team of dermatology pros, led by Dr. Aspacio, MD, FAAD of Summerlin Dermatology in Las Vegas and Dr. Annie Chiu in the Los Angeles area awaited me … with:
- a consent form
- a relaxing medical chair – aaahh, I can put my feet up and no anesthesia seems involved. So far, totally doable!
- warm, welcoming, extremely kind attention from the doctors, their staff, and the PR firm that accompanied them.
- cheek and chin numbing cream – they had to apply two layers after I kept answering “yes” when they pressed on my face asking “do you feel this?”
- A hand held thingie to squeeze “if I felt I needed to distract myself.” “From what?” I wondered.
But I had seen no blood, heard no screams or gasps from the other four winners, nor noticed anyone rendered comatose. Always good signs, right?
My “Non-Surgical Face Lift”
Yes, I was off on an aesthetic facial journey with a golden ticket, no return. However, I did catch the part early on about “smoothed out lines, more vital skin, contoured cheeks” and looking waaaaay younger than my twin sister. (I might be making up that last part.) In short, I was totally relaxed. These people seemed to know what they were doing. I knew our B@M conference organizers had selected their sponsors carefully. A cadre of other attendees said I was “lucky” and wished they’d been chosen.
Yes, for someone who usually over-researches details, I was going in calm and clueless. Here’s what I didn’t know:
1. What exactly is entailed in this “facial aesthetic journey?
Turns out it means having an absolutely adorable woman prep me by applying numbing cream to my face. No pain, no tingling, no slurred speech, no mouth that suddenly drooped, no drooling. Basically it felt like a mini-facial massage.
Needles are involved. Aha! Ergo the numbing cream. The focus of the Restylane Lyft is on the cheeks and smile lines, officially known as nasolabial folds. Those needles are filled with hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally produced by the body.The point is to plump up the area so it’s smooth. Dr Aspacio squirted safe, liquidy stuff into my face, checking constantly how I was feeling. Honestly, I felt very little except curiosity. From start to end took about half an hour.
What exactly is a facial filler procedure. I didn't know exactly but I did it anyway. Hint: Not…
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2. What is this kind of procedure called?
I did figure out that it’s not cosmetic surgery, not muscle inhibiting, not something requiring bed rest or hiding away, not Botox. But what am I to call it? When people say to me, “what have you done, you look so refreshed and young? Alexandra must be your older sister, not twin,” I wanted to be able to give a nice, concise, accurate answer. My subsequent digging around online reveals the following descriptors:
- Facial fillers
- Facial rejuvenation
- Non-surgical face lift
- Cosmetic treatment
- Aesthetic facial treatment
- Cosmetic dermatology
- Facial injections
- Non-surgical option for wrinkles
If you decide to try this procedure, google any of the above terms to find WHO and what you want. Or just search “Restylane” and you’ll be good to go.
3. How important is it to research the person performing the injections?
Dr. Aspacio. Doesn’t he look young? Wonder why?
Dayum, but I got lucky here. Apparently the injector can make all the difference. In my case, I had a specially trained medical doctor. Turns out Dr. Aspacio is one of the top of the top notchers. In fact, Dr Chiu was there specifically to learn more from him. If you get a less qualified person you can end up with imbalances right to left. Or fakey looking, overfilled cheeks. Or other side effects that would make you wish you’d found Dr. Aspacio. Didn’t hurt that he was cute. What I most appreciated, though were his communication skills. He kept a calm running commentary about what he was doing, where and why. His assistants held my hand and closely monitored my reactions. The doctor and staff genuinely seemed to care how I was feeling. Who doesn’t like being the center of kind attention?
For the record, the whole procedure was fairly quick, practically painless, and non-anxiety producing. My heart rate didn’t even enter the cardio zone. Nor did I need to squeeze the squishy thing (see why I like to know the correct name for something? Kinda floundering otherwise).
4. What side effects should I expect?
Ha aha ahahah. Here’s where ignorance probably was bliss and that’s never been one of my life mottos or beliefs. If I’d focused on the possible side effects, I might have tensed up. The consent form mentions a few possibilities such as:
- bruising, redness, swelling, pain, headache, tenderness, and itching
Here’s what side effects I experienced, both that day and thereafter:
- Bupkus. Nada
What side effects can you expect from a @Restylane Lift facial treatment? Hint: I experienced…
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Well, except looking smoother and refreshed. The second dermatology doctor who was observing handed me an ice pack “just in case.” I never needed it. I’m telling you, these people were really good at what they do! Pick the right doctor — and I do suggest going to a board certified doctor who specializes in this — and you will have both a good experience and results you’re happy with.
5. How long do the results last?
I was so wrapped up in how nice everyone was and that I’d won a $1000 gift, that I TOTALLY forgot to ask this question. Not until I returned home from the conference and had a member of my “Forever Fit” exercise class ask me about the duration did it dawn on me that I had no idea. (Yes, I shared my experience with my class as they commented that I looked really good. Gotta love those observant older adults!)
Apparently the results can last anywhere from six months to a year. The Restylane website has more details and stats if you are considering going for it. Only you will know whether an investment of $500-1000 to achieve younger looking skin for up to a year is worth it. I definitely noticed a positive difference right away. Check out my before and after pictures.
BEFORE (Oh wait, that’s actually Alexandra Ha ha ha)
AFTER – literally, this shot was taken by Lisa Lehman the day after my treatment
Now do you know why I had laugh lines? From cracking myself up. Often. For Decades.
All I know is that when I came home from the B@M conference, my husband said “good to see you. You look great. Where’s my wife?” True Story.
ACTION: Get another firsthand account from one of the other winners, Elaine Ambrose. She’s pretty darn funny as she hunts for her cheekbones.
Also look, point, and laugh at our related post on wanting to be perky, not saggy. But only if you want to perk up and look better.
If you want even more on aging actively and attractively, read these two posts as well:
Take Good Care of Your Hair, Eyes, and Skin
We Went to a Spa, Learned How to Relax, and Got Great Skin
Head shot Photo Credits: Lisa Lehman of Studio Jewel, courtesy of #Feedblitz
By Kymberly Williams-Evans, MA
The post Facial Fillers: 5 Ways I Was Clueless About Them appeared first on Fun and Fit: Active Aging Answers for Boom Chicka Boomers.