Photo illustration: by The Cut; Photo: Getty Images
This column first appeared in Valerie Monroe’s Newsletter. How not to mess up your faceavailable for subscription on Substack.
question: I turned 59 in November. After seeing what her mother went through 39 years ago, I decided I would never have another facelift. I think things have changed, but seeing her after the surgery is a sight I will never forget. I have olive skin and had a surgery that left me with a scar. But my question is that the marionette lines seem to be getting deeper. I’ve lost about 40 pounds, and I’ve gained more elasticity. What can you do about this? Out of the thousands of serums out there, which one works and costs less than $500 a bottle? We need products that are affordable and actually help. .
answer: Dear reader, trying to answer your question may feel like a disastrous scroll of HNTFUYF. I finally confessed to this reader that I had nothing to offer her. No cream, serum, or lotion can soothe her deep marionette lines. sorry! sorry! why should you believe me? I’m her 73 year old editor with decades of experience reporting on the beauty industry.
For those unfamiliar, marionette lines are the lines that run from the corners of the mouth to the chin. Usually everyone starts developing this condition after around the age of 40, but sun exposure and a history of smoking can make the symptoms more pronounced.
“Unfortunately, no matter what topical product you use, your 40-pound weight loss results won’t significantly improve,” said Heidi Waldorf of HNTFUYF DermDiva. “If you are looking for visible and permanent changes, you should consult with both an experienced cosmetic dermatologist and plastic surgeon to determine surgical and non-surgical options.”
For non-surgical options (such as strategically injecting fillers, ultrasound or radiofrequency tightening procedures), consider your chronological age, apparent skin age, and how you care for your skin and how you care for it. (based on). effects of previous treatments or procedures) and what percentage of your original body weight is 40 pounds. However, you may find that a downward facelift is your only option to achieve the tightening and lift you’re aiming for, Waldorf says. So be very careful when discussing realistic expectations with your dermatologist or surgeon.
“The scars you mentioned are a separate issue,” Waldorf said. “Unless the area is removed during surgery or can be removed surgically without further scarring, it can be treated with a combination of energy-based instruments such as lasers and radiofrequency device-assisted drug delivery. or Injections containing corticosteroids, fluorouracil, botulinum toxin, plasma, biostimulants and fillers. All of these options may require multiple treatments and may improve both skin tone and scarring. But there is no single procedure that will address everything, and certainly no topical creams or lotions.”
Woof. I concluded in a personal email to my readers:
“Here’s more of my cracking advice: No one looks at you with the same critical eyes that you see yourself. Not necessarily. What stands out to you may go unnoticed. Jeez To others, or almost. Please keep that in mind when reviewing yourself. And avoid scanning your face for imperfections. ”
First edition published on January 30th.
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