Aging Backwards Tuesday Tips # 19: Getting The Point

We're always on the run - doing this or doing that - and in between we try to squeeze in a few minutes so that we can look better. Add a little make up, lipstick or straighten the hair. We want to look good but some things just defy all the masking efforts to hide those nasty wrinkles.

Looking good is a boost to our self-esteem, but on the other hand, it may become an obsession, which can be unhealthy. So, where do we draw the line, and specifically, how do we get rid of the lines?

If you're considering injections:

1) Find the right doctor. Nowadays, almost anyone will do injections. Find a board-certified physician and make sure they are using the real Botox Cosmetic brand product. Check the bottle when they remove it from the fridge.

2) Don't price shop. Opting for the lowest priced procedure could leave you with regrets. You may not be getting the amount of product you need for the best result. The best-qualified people who perform the procedure usually charge around $15.00 per unit. Don't look for anything less than $12.00 per unit, according to Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Bart Rademaker, M.D. of Rejuva MedSpa in Tampa, Florida.

3) Look for an artist. When you're considering fillers such as Juvederm or Restylane, look for a plastic surgeon or someone whose side hobby is art. Symmetry is very important. What you're looking for is to recreate your natural, youthful anatomy, rather than creating a new one.

4) Remember your ultimate goal. The reason we get injections in the first place is to return to our natural, youthful self. Do not look for a permanent solution because the rest of your face will age, but the permanently treated area will not, and you'll be left with an unsightly imbalance. Products such as Restylane and Juvederm last for six months to a year, but they will keep you looking natural.

5) Know the difference. Keep in mind that Botox Cosmetic is for the "active muscle wrinkles," which are in the forehead, between the eyes and the crow's feet. Restylane and Juvederm can take care of the rest, like the nasolabial folds, those pesky parentheses by your nose, or to plump your lips. Botox around the lips can cause drooling -- not very attractive!

Recapturing a younger version of yourself can now be accomplished in less than an hour and the results are long-lasting.