The Axiom Of Respect
Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior
By Treating Themselves And Others
Respectfully And Respecting
Only Those Who Earn It
I am at the age when nearly every face I see during the day looks younger and more vibrant than the one staring back at me in the mirror. It is so easy to want to turn back the clock and have the face I used to have (which I didn’t appreciate when I had it), but unfortunately, that can’t happen.
Today, however, I saw something that just might change my fantasies: the slideshow “Aging Naturally Or With A Little . . . Help?” of stars like Lisa Rinna, Priscilla Presley, Kenny Rogers, and others who have literally ruined their faces with procedures that were supposed to make them look young again. We expect botched surgeries to happen to the general public who cannot afford top-notch physicians and plastic surgeons, but this slideshow proves that cosmetic surgery is dangerous no matter who you are or what your income level. Just take a peek at Priscilla Presley. She looks so awful that it is hard to see her and not feel extremely sorry for her – and she used to be so pretty!
Botox treatments, collagen lip injections, and plastic surgery are performed on millions every year, not just celebrities. But why? I think we 40-somethings (and above) need to think about what we are doing to ourselves in our unattainable pursuit of youth. Why are we trying so hard to be what we are not? Why can’t we embrace our wisdom and knowledge, as well as the looks that come with the territory? Maybe crow’s feet and wrinkles should be thought of as badges of honor.
Thankfully, some celebrities see clearly when it comes to these procedures: “‘I tried Botox once, and it was really not good for me. I felt like I had a weight on my head,’ [Jennifer Aniston] told the April 2009 issue of British Elle. The 40-year-old went on to say, ‘I think it [Botox] makes women look older. Harder. The warmth in their faces goes away. You see women, and you know they’re not young, but you can’t tell how old they are. That’s what stopped me.’” Hopefully, this will also stop the rest of us!
Considering the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that as of 2007, there have been “4.6 million [Botox] procedures in the United States” alone (and who knows how many other cosmetics procedures), I know that what I am saying will probably fall on deaf ears. (“Wikipedia: Botulinum Toxin“) However, I for one am going to turn over a new leaf: The next time I look in the mirror, I am going to try to make friends with the features I now have that remind me of my grandma. I loved my grandma, wrinkles and all, and I hope I can learn to love the new (old) me.
Anna Sherise
Co-Creator of Magna Sententia
Co-Author of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society
May 23, 2009 at 7:12 am
Hi Anna,
I definitely agree with you about the importance of loving yourself and embracing the parts of yourself that echo other family members.
However I am a big fan of medical cosmetic treatments and recommend them to a lot of people. Here’s why:
If you’re at a low point in your life, there are many different routes that you might take to lift yourself up again and improving your appearance is one of them.
Botox is a quick procedure and kicks in within a few days. Did you know that published medical studies have shown that botox can relieve depression and reduce feelings of anger and stress?
But I don’t want to make this a discussion just about botox because there are many medical cosmetic treatments besides botox that will make your skin more youthful and resilient and make you look younger.
In many ways, those of us over 40 feel a lot younger on the inside than our parents’ and grandparents’ generation did. However, because the Bain-de-Soleil tan was the fashion in our youth, many of us have accelerated signs of aging on the outside.
Why not erase those signs of aging from sun damage with IPL and laser treatments and look outwardly as young as you feel inwardly?
I don’t like Jennifer Aniston’s statement. It smacks of a holier-than-thou attitude. Maybe Jennifer doesn’t do botox (much) but you can be certain that she is doing other treatments to maintain her appearance, like Sculptra, Radiesse, lasers and IPL.
You cannot be as slim as Jennifer at her age and look pretty much the same as you did 20 years ago. It’s not possible. All the healthy living and yoga in the world is not going to do that. Just look at any 40-something yoga teacher.
And botox does not make you look older or harder. It makes you look younger and fresher. Maybe the Hollywood-thin women Jennifer meets look older and harder but real women do not.
If you would like to see some examples, I’m in the middle of a 10 Years Younger transformation of 5 women of different sizes and shapes. We will be revealing their ‘After’ appearance after May 29th at 10yyb.com.
I think you will be impressed with how much prettier and softer these women look, while still looking natural.
I’m not saying everyone should have medical cosmetic treatments but for a lot of women, these treatments give back to them their sense of being attractive. For many women, that is a really great feeling to recapture.
With respect,
Dr. Rose Jeans