Vibrant Nation

Botox, the poison that I adore, has poked its ever persistent head back into my life and I am thrilled!  (Jean feels that I am way too serious about this topic.)  Botox is a drug made from a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. (It’s the same toxin that causes a life-threatening type of food poisoning called botulism.)  Used in tiny doses, for the temporary removal of facial wrinkles, Botox injections work by weakening or paralyzing certain muscles or by blocking certain nerves. The effects last about three to four months, sometimes longer.) www.drlamb.com/magicbotox.htm    

After some very difficult financial circumstances in 2007, I was forced to forgo one of the addictions in my life—my Botox injections.  I am sharing this because it seems to be relevant to SO many.

Through the years many of our friends have perplexed: do I get “X” procedure done to my face?  Do I have injections shot into my lips, cheeks, and forehead?  Do I spend the money to peel, burn, or abrase the epidermis that is out there for all to see, (unless you wear a burkha).

 The official AgingButDangerous reply has ALWAYS been “do what it takes to make YOU feel good about the way you look”.   These decisions are PERSONAL-yours to make—AND no ones business to criticize.  (Unless you go Heidi Montag on us—then we need to talk.)     Judging another’s decisions is a slippery slope for all of us.    

AgingButDangerous offers a platform for honesty between women; holding to that dictum, I share the following.  During more lucrative years, Jean and I both were fortunate to have partaken of injections.  For fun, Jean tastefully puffed her lips up, they looked great.  ( SHE actually started all of this craziness.)  For me, Botox seemed to work wonders around my eyes, Radiesse and Juvederm filled the ever increasing wrinkles and creases around my mouth (up to my nose).  This protocol was artfully injected by Dr. Ed Szachowicz in Minneapolis.  There were several benefits that I realized from that substantial investment.
• I felt that it reduced my perceived age by a good 10 years (feedback from others would confirm that.)
• I felt that it increased my self confidence to compete in a field where youth was valued.
• I felt that it delayed permanent signs of aging by preventing deep creases and wrinkles to become imbedded in my face for life.

There is no doubt that I felt terribly extravagant when I indulged in these treatments, but when I looked in the mirror, the reward  justified the means.  (Smiling also reduces lines, AND makes you a nicer person).

Ideally, I would like to be able to age gracefully, fully accepting the signs of character and wisdom that God bestows upon us if we are fortunate enough to make it this far.  That is not MY reality however.  (This is where Jean rolls her eyes.)  As is quoted so eloquently and recently more frequently, “when we get older we become invisible”.  So, I saved enough money to have those ever looming horizontal lines that linger across my forehead reduced, not eliminated, with a little Botox.  I feel fabulous again and quite visible.  A little poison goes a long way.   http://plasticsurgery.about.com/od/minimallyinvasive/a/dermal_fillers.htm

other blog entries from Aging But Dangerous »