Let’s get real, ladies: the New York City stress and motherhood combo can make you look like you’re on the fast-lane to your one hundredth birthday. Wrinkles make a quick entrance when the perfect storm of sleepless nights and parenting take center stage. Of course, we would all like to avoid invasive procedures and plastic surgery, if possible. There’s a point though, for some of us, where coconut oil, facials, and yoga alone may not be doing the trick.
What about a little friendly, non-surgical push from a totally capable, nice, and fun doctor that can lift your self esteem? You may feel most comfortable with someone who is a facial plastic, and reconstructive doctor, since a lot of facial procedures can become related to other elements of your skin, facial structure, etc.
Now, here’s the lowdown on anti-aging helpers:
Dermal fillers and wrinkle relaxers are two varying treatments: Dermal fillers enhance and can round out the skin, while wrinkle relaxers stop lines from forming by paralyzing facial muscles (temporarily). Wrinkle relaxers are extremely popular these days, especially for people who already have visible, formed lines. They are obviously also popular with those individuals looking to avoid wrinkles altogether, which could be a woman of any age. Many professionals recommend starting wrinkle relaxers before anything etches into your skin, but you can be the judge of what’s best for your face.
Botox alleviates lines that correlate with specific muscle movements, notably around the forehead, frown area, and crow’s feet eye corners. Botox Cosmetic, Xeomin, and Dysport are very popular wrinkle relaxers. During treatments, the doctor injects the relaxer into the muscle tissue, using a fine needle. Because your doctor should be concerned with the patient’s results, the substance is injected in tiny doses allowing muscles to slowly but surely relax. The procedure has a very minimal discomfort level, and really can take place during a lunch break or quick visit. You can go about your daily routine after a relaxer is injected, taking no downtime whatsoever to recover. Certain people I know just use just a tiny dab of their favorite concealer afterwards, and they are ready to go out and take on the day!
We’ve all had friends and family who get these procedures done during lunch breaks, and it really can be that easy. It is important to make sure that the doctor you work with understands your exact vision and needs. If you feel that he or she is not listening carefully to your desired outcome, please go elsewhere.
Now, onto fillers. They are utilized to add volume and a revived look in certain facial areas for different effects.
If you have a sunken, drawn, or aged looking nasal labial fold- for example- a filler can work wonders in that area. Or, if baggy under-eyes weigh you down, a filler can bring back life and vitality to them. Most patients start fillers in their late 20’s and early 30’s. When you start early, there is an added advantage: the results last approximately 6-9 months in most areas, but on top of it, the body’s natural process for creating collagen is stimulated which helps with graceful aging. Restylane, Radiesse, and Juvederm are all products that can temporarily revive facial areas. We have all seen Hollywood examples on “aging starlets” in which fillers were used with the wrong doctors (cheekbones way to high, lips way to plump). You want to work with a doctor who is looking to achieve natural-looking results, and who understands the benefits and limitations of the different dermal fillers.
If needles aren’t your cup of tea right now, you can also consider the Exilis Elite, which is gaining in popularity, especially with moms after childbirth who want their tummies tightened. It stimulates fat reduction, and skin tightening. It is a non-surgical procedure that uses radiofrequency technology to tighten your skin below the epidermis. It’s great for recontouring and helping aged faces (and arms, inner thighs, abdomen, neck, and knee areas). It causes a lipolysis, which is a breakdown of fat cells. The layers of fat cells lessen after a few treatments, leading to great results. From Dr. Richard Westreich’s website, here’s an example of what it looks like on the neck, before and after:
I personally recommend Dr. Westreich (located on the Upper East Side), who fixed something on my face after an unfortunate accident I had last year on a styling job, but feel free to consult with any doctor of your interest.
Rebecca Conroy is an artist, stylist, and Editor of A Child Grows in Brooklyn. She is from New York City, and has an MFA from Columbia University in screenwriting. Rebecca often finds herself on film and photography sets making things run or look better, and is the mom of two outrageously wonderful kids.