I Got Injectables in My Face and Here’s What Happened: part one

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Extra! Extra! Read all about it: Galderma and Dr. Lancer help beauty editor find disappearing lip!

I’ve always been ok with getting older. Because really, it beats the alternative (either death or having your soul eternally trapped in a painting in the attic). I embrace my age. I’m actually pretty proud of it. I’m 45 and I’m a lot smarter than I was when I was 25.

That being said, what is going on with my face? Where exactly is my top lip disappearing to? Did it get a second job? And these lines running vertically from my nose to mouth…am I turning into a puppet? The map of lines around my eyes, unless they are leading me to treasure I don’t want anything to do with them. I’m not cool with ANY of this.

So, when an opportunity arose to try the Galderma family of injectable treatments, administered by none other than Dr. Harold Lancer, a legend in skincare with an A-list client roster just as legendary, I couldn’t say “yes” fast enough. I had been thinking about treatments for the past two years. Not as a way to turn back the clock, but to make the current time a bit better. Know what I mean?

Dr. Lancer’s office is as beautiful as I had imagined. It’s modern and pristine, with art everywhere. I almost felt like I was in Beverly Hills home rather than an office. The Dr. himself is funny and friendly, and I instantly felt at ease.

One of the things I liked best was that rather than him telling me what he thought I needed done, he asked me what I felt I needed done. Ultimately, we agreed on what improvements could be made. He gave me a thorough explanation of what products to use on which region of the face, and why.

I’ll go more into the science of the products in post two. But as a brief intro, I would be getting Dysport; a neuromodulator that temporarily immobilizes muscles so that the skin doesn’t crease over them (plain English: less wrinkles). And I would also be getting the family of Restylane products; dermal fillers to expand areas that were losing volume.

I left the office excited for my upcoming treatment and even more excited to see the results (and share them with you!)

Next, it was time to have my “before” photo taken at a studio. It was the most “real” photo I’ve ever been in. Allow me to explain…

If you’re anything like me, you’ve taken, and deleted, countless selfies. I’m SURE you know which side is your best. You may even know tricks to get your best angles (neck out, chin down is my go to.) Imagine stripping that all away and what remains is you in a white t-shirt looking straight into the camera with a crew of around 10 people near-by. Oh yeah, your hair is basically slicked back and you’re wearing very little makeup.

But there’s a reason for it. Everyone involved wanted a true representation of what I look like to measure the results of the Galderma products. No filters, no angles, no tricks. Gulp.

Despite how terrifying that sounds, I was game because I knew regardless what I saw on my before, my after was going to be better.

Minimal makeup was artfully applied, my hair was styled completely off my face and I sat on what was essentially a giant lazy susan. After a series of head-on shots, I was spun in a circle in 1 inch increments for a 360 look at my head. It took 36 images for a full rotation. I tried not to blink and to look natural. We had to do it four times…turns out I am very much a blinker.

My professional “before” versus my selfie above where I was still working my angles!

I left the studio buzzing with excitement and full of hope for what was to come. I can’t wait to see the improved version of me. Stay tuned for my after shot and low down on the science behind these injectables (I know you’re beauty geeks too.)

we heartsters; have you ever gotten a dermal filler or injectable? Care to share in the comments?