I too thought that using something such as Botox (or now Dysport) injections would be the last thing in the world that I would use as I aged. However, after I quit smoking (for good this time) at age 47 I wanted to remove those horrible smokers lip lines and creases above the mouth area that were obviously created from dragging on a cigarette, and drinking from bottles of water and straws for all the years I did so in the past. I was a closet smoker and only smoked outside at home in the back yard (and only with special clothing, after working hours, which I then stored in the garage). This was so that no one would know that I smoked, as I work in the medical field. I was very embarrassed that I had ever smoked, and the smoking creases on my upper lip left a constant reminder to me that I been stupid enough to smoke for all the years that I had. I just did not want a constant reminder that I had smoked every time I looked in the mirror, as I already knew about all the inner damage I had done to my body. Other people did not notice the lines when I started the injections as I had been using freeze type creams that were starting to fail before I opted for a possible cosmetic medical intervention. I believe that others would have noticed if I had started the process later on, as I could see what the crease looked like without creams. Now well into the age of 50 others would have seen the lines and the big crease at the corner of my upper lip. Between the ages of 48-50, I went through menopause, and something about being menopausal dries out your skin. Perhaps it is the fact that your eggs have been sealed-up and shipped off to your local historical museum, or that in-between hot flashes you are unable to keep any type of moisture cream around your eyes, face and neck when, and where you need it most. On the other hand, I guess I felt like all the moisture was sucked out of my skin after menopause, especially on my face and neck. I have now fixed that problem too. I now use bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, and it has done wonders for my entire outlook on life, as well as helped the appearance of my skin and my libido. Moreover, no more hot flashes and night sweats!

The doctor I went to see for the post smoking lines and creases was able to inject a very small amount of Botox above the lip line area, and around the corners of my mouth to give me a fresh new pair of lips. He did so in a manner where the muscles that purse together when I talk or drink from a straw, which had been very visible are now relaxed and erased. These little lines and crease really aged my overall appearance, way beyond the 47 years I was when I started this process. It does not look like I had any work done at all: I just look more rested. I have my lips touched up every 4-6 months for a cost of about $90.00. However, I recently changed to Dysport from Botox and now save about 10-15 dollars for the same procedure, so the price went down to $75.00. I have now added a small amount of Dysport around my eyes and a tiny amount above my forehead to ease the look of tiredness associated with fine lines on the face and eye area. Since Dysport is so affordable I figured why not use a little bit on these lines, and guess what I love the look. No amount of cream can achieve the same look. I do not look injected and asked that I specifically keep many of my expression lines. You do not have to look frozen; you just need to have the right doctor who will work with you to achieve the look that makes you feel best about yourself. These injections are not for my co-workers, friends or husband…they are for me. I spend less time in front of the mirror now, and save a fortune on anti-aging creams and lotions that really do not work, and trust me I have used them all.

I now feel comfortable enough to leave the house with just sunscreen on my lips, face, neck and hands, and a ponytail when I need to run a few quick errands on the week end. Before the injections, I would have applied makeup and anti-age creams before even leaving the house. My husband loves that I can now just throw on some casual clothing and run some errands without making a huge production out leaving the house, which used to involve at least a 1/2 hour in front of the bathroom mirror, and I still was not happy with the results.

I believe that true inner beauty is essential to a healthy lifestyle. I just do not see a problem with a little cosmetic help from a syringe, especially when you can feel as good as I do now. I believe that we live in an era where we should take advantage of all that medicine and nature has to offer. I am not turning back the clock; I am just feeling better about the person outside that I see in my mirror, which now more accurately reflects the person I feel like inside. I am disappointed that none of the anti-aging creams or serums is able to achieve the same results as the injections, and believe me I really attempted to make these work for me (all of them), but it did not work. The anti-aging products ending up costing a lot of money, and did not work. Sure, they may have made my skin a little smoother, but they did not remove one single fine line or crease. I can have smoother skin with an inexpensive St. Ives daily olive-oil scrub, which I purchase from my local drug store. I now spend less money on beauty products overall (which includes my cosmetic injections) because of the Dysport. My focus now is on reasonably priced, plus a good overall face /neck moisture complex that contains an SPF of 45 or higher, and protects against both UVB and UVA rays. I make sure sunscreens are constantly reapplied, especially to my hands and arms when I am outside or driving in the car. Sun does a lot of damage that you just don’t see until you’re older. Therefore, I am growing older with grace just with a little help from a syringe and my doctor, and I see nothing wrong with it at all. I also do not think I would have survived another year with my sanity intact without the use of natural bioidentical hormones. Good luck.