Lately, when I look into the mirror, I don't see her.
Truthfully, I haven't seen her in a long time, but recently I've been seeing her.
Which is why I found myself at the dermatologist's office today, stretched out on a rather comfy table waiting to be peeled. What? I'm not a banana or a grape! I don't need peeling, or do I?
I'm definitely not a clothes horse and don't spend a lot on fashion. Normally, I am the one who says "Halt!" to what I perceive as silly expenditures, especially for myself, but I have noticed that the list of essentials has gotten longer in the past few years. First it was a monthly manicure, followed by acrylic nails that needed filling every two weeks. Boy, did I love those nails! Worth twice the price any day.
Then came the monthly pedicure. Well, you can't have ugly feet 
in strappy sandals, can you? And all that dry skin in the winter. Pedicures are surely a necessity.
in strappy sandals, can you? And all that dry skin in the winter. Pedicures are surely a necessity.We aren't even going to mention hair cuts. There is absolutely no vanity involved with a hair cut.
A monthly massage helps keep one supple and works out the aches and pains of life in the, ahem, middle years. If I am going to continue to dance and play tennis, then obviously I need to keep my back and shoulders happy and a massage makes my whole body happy. It's almost as good as - well ... you know - and leaves me just as relaxed and sleepy.
But, have I crossed the line when I am paying someone to put acid on my face to peel back a few years? The jury is out on this one and probably will be for several more days. It only took a few minutes. I left with my face feeling a little prickly, but it's not an unpleasant feeling. Lots of lotion for the next couple of days, so that will be nice, too. And, then the hope is for newer, fresher skin after the old, dry stuff is gone.
I also got the retinol moisturizer to follow up. It doesn't make sense to spend money on the peel and then not maintain it - right? At this point I don't know ... was it a decadent waste of money? [I did pay only half price!] Was it a desperate attempt to call back the past? or was it simply Doing the best I can with what I have. Time will tell.
I have to laugh at myself right now...I used to say that I would Never have 'work' done and I would just grow old gracefully, hahahahahaha...hahah. That peel sounds real good for starters, I'm thinking the eyes after that and then the chin. - I knew someone who had a peel and her skin was flawless after so...enjoy! Please let us know how you liked it.
ReplyDeleteI still see that first picture when I see you and I think I always will.
ReplyDeleteA girls gotta do what a girls gotta do! I used to think I would grow old naturally (and gracefully) too. It is the graceful part that isn’t working out so well. I literally woke up one morning to gray hair, belly fat and fine lines on my face. Lately, I’ve been thinking if these lines get any worse I am may have to seek out a dermatologist. Getting older is harder than I thought it would be. Keep us informed whether or not you are happy with the results.
ReplyDeletep.s. If anonymous is Mitchell he is super sweet.
Wow, that Anonymous, what a super person!
ReplyDeleteMy solution so far has been to avoid the mirror. I don't know who the heck that is. Getting older is TOUGH, or not for sissies or however the saying goes. Do keep us posted on the results, and I may have to investigate your remedy. I keep thinking about a massage, after biking 60+ miles a week, but I have never spent money on other than a haircut. What a skinflint :-).
Well, Anonymous will appreciate your kind words, but I am outing her. She's my college roommate and dear friend, Elizabeth - occasionally mentioned here.
ReplyDeleteSo far, a little heat in the face. Feels like i was out in the sun too long yesterday - not unpleasant at all. I have stayed slathered with Aveeno all day, so look a bit like well-buttered toast! Tomorrow I have a meeting with people and lunch with a friend, so will tackle makeup.
Thanks for the encouragement!
I think its totally worth it. You are worth it. We can feel guilty about a lot of things in life - but I think its ok to give ourselves a little boost sometimes. I think when you start lasering off all your body hair and go in to get a nose job or whatever else women do to look beautiful, you can start asking questions.
ReplyDeleteBut no, I think you are just fine, sister.
I get peels every few months - they are really light but they make a huge difference. I don't do the hardcore ones though, so I don't feel anything other than smoothness afterwards.
I say go for it! I am feeling the dreaded 'M' these days and looking it too. I just downloaded a book onto my iPad entitled 'Menopause Makeover'. That should give you a pretty good idea of where I stand at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI say yes to all of the above as I do much of that myself. I haven't done the peel but have succumbed to a bit of botox for the brow frown..the one that leaves my son asking why I am in a perpetual bad mood..brow frown no more!
Am interested to see you you go with the peel...I will be watching this space!
Best wishes Webb for a wonderful weekend!
Jeanne xx
Have you been beautifying with a Groupon? This is what my mother is doing right now...specifically with facials. And she is the least vain person I know..no make up, same oxford button down and slacks every day, comfy shoes, no hair dye. But there you have it...she's getting lasered and peeled, so you are definitely not alone. While I was in the shower this morning, I noticed a nice new network of veins up the backs of my knees...which I will be addressing as soon as there's a Groupon for that.
ReplyDelete