BEAUTY
IGH
You scrutinize every line and wrinkle
and are determined to take whatever
steps necessary to eradicate them.
w h a t ’ s r i g h t f o r y o u
Stopping the
hands of time (or even backing them up a
bit), involves a higher cost and degree of
commitment. This is not something you can
do on your own. You’ll need the aid of a
dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon. In
addition to what you’re currently doing, you
may want to consider supplementing with a
trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel ($150-
$300/peel) performed by your dermatologist
every six weeks. The TCA peel penetrates
deeper than glycolic acid versions to improve
skin smoothness and eliminate superficial
age spots and fine lines. (Beware: TCA peels
require five to seven days of recovery and can
leave skin raw, scaly, and photosensitive as it
heals.) Botox injections ($300-$l,500),
performed every three to six months are
another consideration. This purified form of
Botulinum toxin temporarily paralyzes facial
muscles (think frown lines, forehead furrows,
and crow’s feet), thereby smoothing the skin
atop them. The final step to completely
smooth skin: injectable dermal fillers two
to three times a year. There are several
different filling agents currently available,
but hyaluronic acid is one of the most
well-tolerated, ideal for plumping cheeks,
lips, and marionette lines ($700-$l,000/
syringe). Collagen injections ($500/syringe)
are an alternative for more detailed work,
such as small scars and fine lines.
W H A T T O E X P E C T
A full, fresh, buffed complexion that
appears wrinkle-free and even-toned.
You—but younger.
W H A T YO U W O N ’T G E T
A permanent transformation and completely
risk-free results (see “Get Informed”). The
benefits of fillers fade over time, so you’ll need
regular doctor visits to maintain the effects, fib
1 2 4 MARCH 2009 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
No matter
what routinej
you follow,
don’t forget
your eyes.
Applying an
eye cream to
the delicate
under-eye area
morning and
night will help
reduce puffiness
dark circles, and
fine lines.
Get
Informed
Injectables, like Botox, aren’t without risks. You’ll want to study up
on your own, and know the right questions to ask your doctor.
[±
Who is performing the procedure?
You want a board-
certified derm atologist or p lastic surgeon who is specially
trained in skin and facial treatm ents. A sk this person how
much experience he or she has with the sp ecific treatm ent.
Where is the procedure being performed?
M edical-
grade procedures like peels and injectables require a sanitary
environm ent, so a doctor’s office is safest. Spas and m edi-
spas are fin e if under the supervision of a qualified physician.
What about my medical history?
Som e conditions,
m edications, and even supplem ents can have an effect on a
treatm ent and its outcome. Make sure to disclose and discuss
all w ith your doctor before any procedure is perform ed.
What is being injected?
Do your research and ask to see
the label of anything to be injected or applied to your skin. It
should be FDA-approved for cosm etic purposes. Know the
pros and cons in advance of the procedure.
What are the precautions and risks?
Ask about
any safety m easures you should take before the procedure
(including drugs or vitam in supplem ents that m ay have an
adverse effect), the potential dangers of the treatm ent, and
what the recovery w ill be like so there are no surprises.
For more information on these procedures and making the right
choices, log onto bewiseaboutbeauty.com.
M B
