Foundation. Let’s also include the subcutaneous variety, yes?
By which I mean to say that in preparation for my daughter’s wedding I spent a little time at the cosmetic dermatologist. The wedding snapshot above has not been altered in any way, except by joy. With reluctance, I have refrained even from whitening my lower two front teeth, but authenticity is required for this.
As I have said before, I shudder at fillers and couldn’t imagine a recreational scalpel near my face. But last September, as my birthday present to myself, I had some bumps removed from my forehead. (Look up sebaceous hyperplasia if you’re curious. Harmless, but they bugged me.) During that appointment, I mentioned to the doctor that my daughter was getting married. “Oh,” she said, “She should do microneedling!”
Fast forward to a few months later me thinking it really hurts a lot to have someone stick needles in your face, tiny though they may be, an application of numbing gel aside. And then that afternoon, with this face.
Please look away if you have an aversion to human lobsters.
Yikes. But it cleared up in about three days. Apparently I had an extreme reaction, as even the nurse who did the procedure seemed taken aback.
I did two more treatments, having now prepared myself with two Tylenols, as directed. The nurse also applied the numbing gel twice. Something worked, because I looked far more human in the aftermath.
Big question. Did the three sessions work?
Did I now have a new face? Nope. Did all my wrinkles disappear? As you can see, also no. However, were I to have taken closeups of myself before and after, I’m pretty sure you’d notice a difference. My neck is noticeably less crepey. My jowls agreed to retreat to my ears, fractionally. The rest of my facial skin is a tiny bit tighter, and a tad more elastic.
And anecdotally, at my daughter’s graduation from her surgical residency, one of the attending physicians told me I looked like my daughter’s sister. I assure you I did not. But I could tell by the surprise on his face that my hair journey, which had landed me in the vicinity of warm brown with white bits here and there, and this needle business, made me look a little younger than expected.
My sister also told me I looked 40 at the wedding. I assure you did not. But, all in all, I was happy with project Show Up Well for the Event. I’d do it again, for the event. I don’t plan to continue in my normal life, however, as I simply can’t be bothered to spend the time and money. I did think you might enjoy the information.
A few more details on microneedling, as I understand it. The point is stimulating collagen. I think that worked. There are precautions you have to take before, and after, to do with what you eat, sun or no sun, and which skin care you can and can’t use. I went to a dermatologist at the same place where my primary care physician works, not a skin care facility per se. Your mileage may vary, and you should make sure you trust the provider.
Finally, I was sent home with samples of drugstore cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen that would not irritate my skin. Brands included Neutrogena, CeraVe, Cetaphil and Eucerin. I have continued to use the CeraVe simple moisturizers (day, night) on occasion, because sometimes you just don’t want much beyond a nice protective layer. I find ceramides calming. Too bad they don’t work on mood.
I like my Drunk Elephant soap and Colleen Rothschild balm, so I’m sticking with them. I couldn’t find the CeraVe SPF I’d been given so I tried another one of theirs and it was so irritating I took it back. The Eucerin tinted SPF was OK, but I use the Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint when I want a little color and am not expecting to be outside for hours and hours. More on that another time. I also liked the Neutrogena Hydro Boost, so since I already have several hyaluronic acid products I like, I’m trying the Hydro Boost SPF 50. Fingers crossed. No need to pay extraordinary amounts of money for skincare if something from the supermarket will get the same results.
May all your substructures flourish. May you find a moment to congratulate yourself on a successful project, big or small. And may you have a good weekend.
2 Responses
Very happy to see your report as I recently consulted with a dermatologist about this or skin peel and opted instead for a hydrofacial, mostly out of concern that I would get lobster face. Not sure I’m brave enough, but I do have a big college reunion this spring….
I think you look wonderful in that photo, Lisa – my first reaction was that your skin looked so clean and fresh (and you looked so happy!). As a veteran of several micro-needling sessions over quite a few years, I do recommend the procedure – just remember that your skin becomes much more sensitive after each one, and turns red more easily. (I use Dr Jart’s green fluid as camouflage, when necessary.) I am allergic to almost all SPFs, and stick to baby zinc oxide creams for times in the sun without a big hat. And now, at 83 with my dyed dark brown hair and relatively smooth skin, I am often taken for my white-haired husband’s “much younger trophy wife” – which said husband finds quite flattering to both of us!