Beauty Doc Blog

In the not too distant past, facial work was a hush-hush subject, especially for the famous.  Celebrities having procedures to prolong and enhance the youthfulness of their skin entered and exited the doctor’s office behind big hats and dark glasses, so as not to be recognized.

In recent years, however, the stigma of cosmetic procedures has lessened somewhat as minimally invasive techniques have skyrocketed.  Indeed, a new crop of recently FDA-approved cosmetic fillers has entered the market within the past few years, so patients have many options from which to choose.

Is Botox the Best?

Botox remains the most popular minimally invasive facial cosmetic procedures, with more than 3 million people electing to have Botox injections in 2005.  Unlike other fillers that plump the skin, Botox smoothes out wrinkles by relaxing facial muscles.  The product has been the butt of many jokes and rumors that it “freezes” the face, preventing users from making facial expressions.  Not so, says Botox’ maker, the drug manufacturer Allergan Inc.

A large number of well-known celebrities have admitted to, or have at least been rumored to, having Botox injections.  These include Jamie Lee Curtis, Cher, Angelica Huston, Cindy Crawford, British singer Cliff Richard, BBC TV host Trinny Woodall, and Suzanne Somers.  Teri Hatcher, of Desperate Housewives fame, reportedly admitted in 2006 to having tried Botox, but now claims that isn’t true.

Entertainers have been known to have “Botox parties,” where a group of celebrities and their friends meet at a pre-scheduled date and place, all to have Botox injections together.  Certainly, the technique is conducive to a social setting – imagine, gathering with your friends for good food, good conversation, perhaps a glass of champagne, and a nice dose of wrinkle zapping!

What Else is Out There?

Because they are so much in the public eye, and because the media can be so harsh with their critiques, many celebrities simply can’t afford to look as though they’ve had drastic work done.  This is where injectables like Restylane can do the trick.  Many celebrities have Restylane injections a week or so before a big event to smooth fine lines, thereby refreshing their faces for the cameras.

The injectable filler collagen is famous for its use in lip enhancement, thanks to celebrities looking for a perfect smile.  It is often obvious which celebrities have had collagen injections due to overfilling.  Still, many continue to deny having used collagen at all, even when photographs can tell the real tale.

Does it Really Matter?

Why are we so hard on celebrities who have had cosmetic work done?  Who among us, had we the resources, wouldn’t make the same choice?  Sometimes a celebrity may appear to have had a procedure when they haven’t – lighting, camera angles, a new hairdo, new makeup, weight loss, weight gain, or simply having access to professional hair and makeup people can make a huge difference in the appearance of the face and make a celebrity look younger.  Knowing this, however, doesn’t make it any less fun to speculate!

Injectables for the Rest of Us

Fortunately for all of us, as injectable cosmetic enhancement treatments have flooded the market, the procedure has become more accessible and more affordable for all of us. The best thing about most injectables is that they offer a more youthful appearance that is not permanent. Lasting anywhere for 1-6 months, we have the ability to undo the ‘new look’ if we are not happy with the outcome. There is also with no downtime and injections are non-invasive, so there are no scars or recovery.