I have been waiting for this appointment for months. I have not seen anyone about my face since the last time I had Restylane and that was a very long time ago—back in Chicago. And, all of the tears I had cried over the move, over Inkey, and the subsequent misery of Austin did bad things to my face.
I had a list of things I wanted to talk to Dr. Famous about.
Here is my list:
1. The funky growth on my heel. Be glad I am not posting a picture of this thing. It is…, no, I cannot describe it as I fear you may be eating your breakfast.
2. Botox. Not an option. Must have. I have furrowed, knitted and a line filled forehead. I have so many lines on my head it looks like a map of the L.A. freeway system. Sooooo not pretty.
3. Perhaps laser for the scar on my eye.
4. And, the very important topic of what can he do to make me look less old and freckled and tired.
Shock #1 of my adventure. Dr. Famous has three offices and I got the appointment at one of his satellite offices and it is not the chichi office with a huge aquarium, Roche Bobois leather sofas, a plasma screen TV showing all the lunch time procedures that Dr. Famous offers. Nor did it have the people I imagined. I had envisioned an office full of minor-league starlets, Palos Verdes trophy wives who had spent too much time on the tennis courts, and sundry seekers of beautification. Instead Dr. Famous’ south bay satellite office was in an old and tired medical building that looked like it might be a Medicare only institute. I should have taken a picture. It is beyond my writing ability to relay to you the creepiness of this building. It looked like a set in a Cohn brothers film. There was a sofa bought in the 70′s that greeted you as you walked into the lobby with the smell of urine. And, there were octogenarians waiting for their bus back to the retirement home. The elevator gave me pause, the doors opened like a reluctant toddler who is being fed spoonful of beets and Lima beans. I chose to take the stairs. When I finally found Dr. Famous’ office I was enormously relieved.
As I opened the door all my fantasies melted away, rather than the Doctor 90210 fantasy I had held it was an office filled with sufferers of extreme melanoma. Oh, dear readers, if I learned anything yesterday it is to wear your sunblock and wear it each and every day and be sure to get it on your nose and your ears. 90% of this packed waiting room had bandages on their nose and ears. I sat and waited for my name to be called and as I waited I recalled every serious sunburn I have ever had and I planned a way to be more diligent about sunscreen. I would keep a bottle in my purse and in my car and by the front door—and in He-weasel’s car. Skin cancer and the removal of the skin cancer is not pretty and it made me somewhat ashamed of my vain motivations for being there. But, not bad enough to stop me.
Dr.. Famous and his assistant were perky, friendly and all together gregarious—making a lovely change from his waiting room of patients who all looked like they were suffering leprosy. I brought out my list of topics to discuss.
1. The foot growth, he advised me to not have it removed but to use a medication and bandage it well and if it doesn’t come off this way in three months he would freeze it and do surgery. Being an instant gratification gal I wanted to do that immediately. He warned me that as it was on the foot that it would be very painful and it would be difficult to walk or wear shoes after the procedure. Enough said.
2. Botox. Not a problem. He, however, was the first doctor who required me to look in the mirror when I squinted and frowned so he could see what was bothering me. Oh, it was horrible. I am usually okay with my face. But seeing myself make crazy frowns in the mirror with the cruel shock of fluorescent light and the light roots of my hair colour taunting me, I was ready to ask for a face transplant.
The Botox was, as always, totally painless. And, immediately I could see my forehead improving. Botox is now and always one of my favorite things. If you are considering it I advise you to seek a well qualified M.D. who is not sporting a frozen face. I always make it a point to tell them I want to be able to move my forehead—and I have never suffered the cliche’ immovable face—good doctors will not leave you looking like Joan Rivers.
Botox when used on the brow can result in a bit of a brow lift. Dr. Famous did a really good job. I look more rested and alert and not like I have been crying nearly every day since January 1st.
3. When I showed him the scarring on my eye he sort of laughed and said, “You really can’t see that. But, if you want I could resurface it. ” Next…
4. Then there was the all important question of whether he had any peels, potions, or lasers that would make me look younger and better. He looked at my face and made the hmph noise. Nobody wants to hear the humph noise when someone is considering your face. I grew anxious. “Well, really all I see is the melasma and as you are still young and producing estrogen”—let me stop here—I wanted to kiss him at this point and then I remembered that I was the youngest person in the office and that nearly all the patients are much older. I mean Willard Scott has probably wished them a happy birthday—so, I probably seem younger to Dr. Famous in the context of his case load at this office. Okay, back to the melasma. Dr. Famous recommended a cream of retina and hydroquinne that I had already tried. He said again about how if I was making estrogen and in the sun whatever he did might not last. He really was not selling hard. I was practically having to beg him to let me do IPL. He warned me the results might be subtle.
Then I asked him about Vii beam lasers, Fraxel, Affirm laser and a mid-level peel. He screwed up his face as if he was about to get a Botox injection and said, “No, you don’t need it.” Dr. Famous then gave me a refill for Renova and told me to come back in three weeks if I needed more Botox. He would touch it up at no cost.
It is a day later and I am delighted with the results of the Botox. I know this is not for everyone. But, I love it and I am amazed at the difference it makes. That said, I asked my He-weasel if he noticed anything different about me before he left for work this a.m. I could see panic in his eyes, “Did you get your hair coloured?” he asked.
how about some good products for pore-reduction, oh goddess of all things facially improving? This is the biggest complaint I have currently with my skin. Do you know if peels and such promote new growth of smaller pored skin? oh please advise and I’ll worship you endlessly. oh wait. I already do that. okay, free lodging a ma maison during the high season!!!! genuflects.
Really, he didn’t think you needed a peel or anything? It’s a good sign that he is so conservative, don’t you think? Glad to hear you are happy with the Botox, though I myself remain scared. (And don’t have forehead creases yet.)
I can’t remember what the name of the Retin-A/hydroquinone combo is. Lucent something or other? I have a little melasma myself. Are you going to try that stuff again, but up your sunscreen usage so that maybe the results are easier to discern?
Are you glad or disappointed that he didn’t recommend torturing yourself with peels and lasers, etc.? It sounds like he thinks you look better and younger than you think you do, no?
I am in the visual disturbance part of a migraine on the wane, so I don’t feel like I’m making very much sense.
|
xo –
M.
Hilarious: “then I remembered that I was the youngest person in the office and that nearly all the patients are much older.”
Sounds like a good doctor. My doctor is very conservative too. If I’m wavering about something, he’ll never push me to do it but rather in the opposite direction.
I need to call my derm about the horrible cystic pimple I have, come to think of it. Sigh. Prayer isn’t helping it go away.
Try Clinique’s Pore Minimizer Instant Perfector. It helps. And, Smashbox’s Primer also helps hides the pores.
If you want to enter the world of dermatology—Fraxel is supposed to help. But, as my MD said, the results are subtle.
Pores get larger as we age. Le sigh! And, anything you can do to up collagen production will help. Thermage is supposed to help with that–but I am dubious about Thermage’s benefit to results to cost ration.
Worshiping not necessary. Free lodging is gladly accepted. I will come with a basket of skin care goodies for you.
This is one of your posts that I simply cannot add anything worthwhile to, so I’m just saying hello!
Must have? I don’t get it. What is so bad about few creases?
M: I do like that he is conservative. But, I did want him to offer me more hope. He is very low key about the results. It was much better when I saw the high pressure MD who gave me a list of the 20 procedures I NEEDED to have. I am only slightly exaggerating.
He said Vii-beam is for acne. The peel has a lot of recovery time and there are oozing wounds that may need tending after a peel. Gasp!! He was mildly encouraging about the Affirm–but he certainly was the opposite of pushy.
I am going to start the photofacials next month and I am going to start Renova again. I hope my results are more impressive than the MD described they would be. The photofacial is only $300. Not bad.
He also said that when he does Restylane for under the eye he does it through the mouth and that way there is no swelling and no pain. I am doing Restylane with him next month.
I would absolutely recommend this m.d. I left feeling better about how I looked and not with the usual depression that comes from hearing a m.d. thinks you need a major overhaul. In facial procedures conservative is always the best approach.
I am so sorry about your headache. Have you heard that Botox is supposed to help with Migraines?
Hope you feel better soon!
xo
WendyB: I totally agree with your MD, you need nothing done. You look great.
If only prayer worked for aging–I would be doing endless Novenas for new skin!;-)
Randal: yes, not a boy friendly post. Thanks for the hello!:-)
Anony: My lines bother no one but me and I feel better when they are gone. I have to be honest–I don’t in anyway think those I know and love looks any worse for lines or creases. Actually, I love my He-weasel’s crinkles. But, I am harder on myself than on anyone else. It is a paradox.
I’m a regular at my derm’s office, but I’m on the “melanoma prevention” program. Dad’s had it twice (both times caught early thank heavens) so I go get moles and spots checked/removed every 6 months. I’ve asked her whether there are any non-surgical procedures that would benefit, and she’s also one of those conservative ones. Her answer, “keep wearing the sunscreen.” I was really hoping there was something she could do about the rosacea on my neck, but her response, “nope.” (apparently skin on the neck is too delicate for lasers/peels.)
And you want to know what’s wild? The word verification right now is “botxp”!
Deja: LOL @ your word verification!
I do think sunscreen is the best beauty secret that comes in a bottle. I only wish I had really known that earlier.
My dad had a lot of skin cancer too. He was a big golfer and was always coming home with a red nose. Eventually it caught up with him.
Are you still using the Le Roche Posay Anthelios sunblock? It is my favorite!
Oh, you betcha! 60 SPF, baby!!!
Deja: That stuff is the best! Be sure to stock up when you are in France.
My dermatologist kind of did the same things, said my skin looked really good for my age. She said Fraxel was really expensive. What form is the Le Roche Posay Anthelios in? I have found some on Amazon, but there was one type that I thought i had read was the best that was not available.
I forgot, but meant to include in my list of things I love; Clairol root touch up. Have you ever used it? It works fantastically inbetween hair appointments.
I am trying to always remember sunscreen for my hands. I have way too many years of sun on them.
I rarely ever have a zit, but last week I did and I applied some Derma E Tea Tree & E Antiseptic cream, and I swear it was gone by morning.
Julianne: Think of all the money we are saving having conservative dermatologists?;-)
I use the Anthelios 45 cream. I read on Makeupalley.com that you can order the Anthelios with the special ingredient somewhere on line. It is the only sunblock that doesn't sting my eyes.
Great tips on the hair colour and the Derma E Tea Tree & E Antiseptic. I am going in tomorrow and he is going to fix my hair if I have to stay there all day.
Sounds like a fantastic Derm. Its rare to find one that is honest with you and isn’t out peel off, cut up and ruin what is already beautiful. Keep this one!!
Pores cannot be shrunk. They can be made to temporarily APPEAR smaller. But there is no true fix. I great primer and pore minimizer is actually called Genie in a Bottle and is sold on QVC. Its sticky, but dries really nicely.
Anyone know of a matte tinted moisturizer with an spf above 30? I have been using the one by Dr. Denese, but want a higher spf.
Ooooh I want some Botox asap . . .
Thanks for your amazing comments, darling!
xoxox,
CC
I have to say Botox frightens me, despite all the evidence that it’s not harmful. Last fall, I did see a derm about the dreaded nasolabial folds that were deep enough to sail a boat through. No light Restalyne for me, he brought out the heavy hitting Perlane and injected me up. No pain, other that the his constant chatting about the sad fact that I am sagging very rapidly for my age. I am practically wrinkle free, because I am a vampire, but genes guaranteed my face would sag quite young. He did suggest a neck lift when I asked about Thermage. Le sigh. However, those nasty canals are gone!
I, like Deja, am mostly a skin cancer battler, so the most painful part of the visit was when he told me I had to wear a FACE MASK when I am outside. Yes, they do make them and they have an SPF of 30 and come in the lovely “stone” colour. They even have nifty sunglass attachments. Worn with the matching hat, scarf and gloves, I look like a lunatic/terrorist. My dogs are embarassed to be walked by me.
Anthelios is my HG, and my family sends it regulary from Canada. Since it’s SPF 100, it does help with vampire look.
It does get tiring, but having had so many relatives succumb to skin cancer, necessary.
Christine
Shar:I am relieved and only mildly disappointed that he thinks I don’t need any work.
NJNRR did you hear Shar’s recommendation? She is an expert. I am a mere consumer.
I don’t know of one, Shar! If you find one I hope you write about it.:-)
Wow, a dermatologist that isn’t pushy! And a famous one to boot! Sound like he was less judgmental about your skin than you were. But I think we are all hardest on ourselves. Goodness knows I would love to lose the forehead wrinkles and acne. My current solution is bangs and foundation.
Carrie: I am not saying anything but the truth. Really, you do an amazing job!
I do love the Botox. It does all that I wish La Mer would do and doesn’t.;-)
xo
Christine: I am sure that there is not a drug that someone hasn’t had a bad reaction to. I have had no problems at all with Botox. But, FYI there is some new Botox free treatment that gives you the same results. I need to talk to MD about this.
I am lucky to have no nasiolabal folds–yet. I make up for it with my forehead. And, I am too a vampire and I have great genes. My mother is in her 80′s and has no wrinkles.
I hate that a neck lift was suggested. I do not believe that you need it. He just wanted to get a new car.;-)
I have never heard of the face mask. That sounds serious. Anthelios is not enough? I didn’t know it came in 100 SPF. I need that! Skin cancer is really scary. I am so glad you have a MD that takes it seriously and keeps you healthy and cancer free.
Kristen: I am very judgmental about my skin. I though an expert would join me in that.
And, Miss K., you look like you have gorgeous peaches and cream Oregon skin. Love the dewy glow the rain gives the skin.
Blush, blush
if i can re-take my imagined life as an MD i would sub-specialize in plastics [dammit that mrs. robinson movie was so explicit too!] and rake it in buckets. the extent of derma work for me was the teenage retin-A potions but now just the liberal use of sunblocked kiehl’s… this is educational as i did not know that there are so many procedures and methods out there.
i just hope over time that i will be able to ‘own’ my wrinkles as that famous beckett photo and/or georgia o’keefe’s in B+W, piercingly and proudly, even defiantly looking at the camera…
the set-up of your story was palpable: when i read ‘the smell of urine’– i’m thinking run, honey and get yourself a new rouge ipod instead!
You can go clean out your cosmetic bag and write some, because I already started the what’s on your mp3 player meme. However, after you clean your bag, go grab you ipod because you have been tagged.
I started it becaue sub-urbanrambler shamed me into it. I don’t know what I was thinking trying to trick you into starting it
.
Kristen: Blushing only makes your skin look prettier.;-)
SUR: I would have gone with being a dermatologist–no late night emergencies, no surgery, and pretty low malpractice insurance( not that I have given it much thought.;-)
I know it is an old chestnut, but it is easier in our culture for men to age gracefully than it is for women. Grey hair on men is sexy. Lines on men add character. My head is often turned by a “distinguished” man—but I see my own gray hair and wrinkles and I am turning to colourist and skin creams.
I admire the acceptance of self and the embracing of wrinkles–I am just not there yet.
So glad I brought you with me into the lobby of the medical building. It was not a place I entered alone easily. I did think about running. But, I am glad I got past the threshold guardians of death, decay, and illness.
Julianne: Thank you for starting the tag. I happily accept the challenge and will try to get it up by tomorrow.
My cosmetic bag still goes uncleaned.;-)
You are very brave for the botox. I am too chicken!! I do use the Serious Skincare C-Extreme 2 step Resurfacing product though (from HSN…Jennifer Flavin’s products) and it works pretty good as a exfoliater for over 40 skin. I also use Night Repair by Estee Lauder too, have for about a year and I get a lot of compliments from people saying I look maybe 42 or 43 instead of 50!
Kelly: There is no pain whatsoever. I am serious. Absolutely none. But, you don’t need it. You look amazing. Whatever you are doing—keep it up!!
This is a great, reassuring, uplifting post. I’m so glad Dr. Famous was not Dr. Ego or Dr. Hardselltoomanyprocedures.
What a relief.
I’m happy for you, and so glad to hear you “don’t need” all that stuff.
Yay!
ENC: Glad you liked it. And, I hope that I have inspired everyone to read it to put on their sunscreen.
I have seen Dr. Ego and Dr. Pushyoftheproceduresandproducts. I have even seen Dr. Whocalledmybreasts Boobs. That was a bad day.
Your currently scheduled program is being interrupted by a gear slipping quitter to beg your indulgence for a mood-altering-substance-induced finger faux pas.
Please tune in to Halfway To France for further details.
Yours in blogadarity,
LFA: Not to worry. I enjoyed your post and your follow up so much it is entirely of no consequence to me whether my blather is posted or not.;-) I just appreciate your tremendous post and wanted you to know about it.
I would looooovvve a margarita. Will have to settle for a pear cider.
xo
I could not do Botox for so many reasons, Gene pool wise I did hit the jackpot with olive skin so it has weathered relatively well.
I do however suffer from melasma, if that is what those brown dark patches are. I am, as I have said in the past a huge fan of Alpha H Liquid Gold which is from Austrailia via QVC. It contains glycolic acid which really seems to work on my rather open pored patchy skin.
lol @ the creepy building. i can almost imagine. haven’t gone to any dermatologist yet. though i want to coz i want to have this wart on my ankle removed. i got acne everytime i lack of sleep. but fortunately, after trying lots of skin care products, i finally stick to Nivea visage (do i sound lik i’m advertising?) lol.
good thing about my oily face, it’s wrinkle-prone, well, as what i’ve read on the net. and besides i don’t wear make-up. so i’m not afraid to have wrinkles so soon.
but my work is going to give me wrinkles. argh. lol.
anyway, i’ve heard about Botox before. wow @ the good results to you. wonder if i’m going to use that someday. haha.
Oh how I would love to get the Botox. I have one very very annoying line right between my eyes, its clearly the beginning of my crazy old lady period. At the moment I am having micro-dermabrasion (did I spell that right?)sessions, no-one can see the difference except me, but like you, thats all I wanted.
Indigo: The Renova/Hydroquine cocktail is supposed to work really well on the melasma–for a lot of people. I still have it. And, I have a lot of sun damage on chest and hands. I am hoping the IPL will make that all go away.
Does the Alpha Hydroxy stuff come in a red box?If so, I think they sell that in drug stores in the states. I love to learn about products that actually work.
Autumn: The building was soo bad that it should be shut down by the architecture police( if only they existed;-)
I read that if you put duck tape on a wart it will make it go away. I have no proof of this but I read it on-line. Google it and see. Lots of people say it works.
I have never had much acne. But, I do get some back-ne. Which I hate. That is a great benefit of oily skin–less lines. I suppose everything has a trade off.
Cybill: I had that line too and then ten more like it. The Botox made them vanish. I love it when something actually works even if no one notices.
Have you tried the Dr. Brandt Micordermabrasion in a bottle? Best stuff ever for making your face feel as soft as a baby’s butt. Great stuf!!
honestly eating well is the best answer to skin problems…and not just eating healthy but eating natural and local have so much effect on how your skin interacts with its environment.
i like your sweetie’s response. bf would have done the same thing. : ) i had more than one conversation with plastic surgeon pal about various procedures but he always burst my bubble.
Thanks for suggesting my doctor just needs a new car LBR. I do take some medication that causes facial edema, so I think he was pushing my neck lift a bit. And I’m sticking to that story.
I used to think good genes made the most difference, but the effect of environment and care is very apparent in my two older sisters. The eldest is 51, never suntanned and now looks about 40. The 49 year old smokes, suntans (though she is darker naturally than N.) without sunscreen and uses no products and I am being sadly accurate when I say she looks 60. Comparing their faces was enough to convince my nieces (5and 13) that SPF 30 was the way to go. (Obviously, this was never discussed in front of the older sisters!)
By the way I can get the Anthelios from Canada so if you ever need some let me know.
Christine xo
lucyofnarnia@hotmail.com
Thanks for suggesting my doctor just needs a new car LBR. I do take some medication that causes facial edema, so I think he was pushing my neck lift a bit. And I’m sticking to that story.
I used to think good genes made the most difference, but the effect of environment and care is very apparent in my two older sisters. The eldest is 51, never suntanned and now looks about 40. The 49 year old smokes, suntans (though she is darker naturally than N.) without sunscreen and uses no products and I am being sadly accurate when I say she looks 60. Comparing their faces was enough to convince my nieces (5and 13) that SPF 30 was the way to go. (Obviously, this was never discussed in front of the older sisters!)
By the way I can get the Anthelios from Canada so if you ever need some let me know.
Christine xo
lucyofnarnia@hotmail.com
That’s the frustration with melasma. So many treatments and products and none of them make more than a tiny bit of difference. Oh well, I’m sure you look beautiful.
Belette, please see my derm. She is fameuse too, and will blowtorch your way to gorgeous skin. I am glad you love the lift your brow gets from B-tox. Me too! Missed your blog while away.
Thank you for posting about botox.
I finally figured out that I was the last woman in Los Angeles who wasn’t on an regular diet of injections. Even the 25 year old girls around me are getting botoxed on a regular basis.
So now that I’ve met my own Dr. Famous, aka Dr. Rivkin, who pioneered the non surgical face lift….let the injections begin!
Wyattb: I have never heard that eating local foods could have an impact on how your face weathers the environment. Really interesting idea.
Any books or articles you could reccomend on this topic?
Thanks so much for your comment!!:-)
Christine: He either needs a car or glasses. I can just *feel* that you have gorgeous skin.
Sun, smoking, and no SPF is a recipe for skin disaster. I don’t understand how people continue to tan even after all the evidence is in.
You may hear from me. My Anthelois supply is starting to get low. Thanks, Christine.
xo
Saavy: My He-weasel is a wise man who knows when to trend softly.
It is so good to hear that there are plastic surgeons who push people out the door and don’t recommend endless procedures. I am sure you need to have nothing done!
Sara: Thank you so much for visiting my blog and for your comment!! I am so excited to find your blog.
Melasma is a sign of estrogen production and as my estrogen is doing me little good–I wish it would do me a favor and get off of my face. I will report on the result I get with the IPL.
And, you are sweet to say. Flattery will get you everywhere.;-)
Karen: Your Dr. is so pretty she scares me. I prefer to see my dermatologist to be an older man who is not prettier than me.;-)
Karen: p.s. I missed seeing you here too. And, I loved your Paris trip reports!
Bellee: Thank you !!! Always delighted to meet another blogger. I will be doing a part two of this post next week. I am seeing the doctor next week in his west-side location. It should be very different.
Aah… the joys of BOTOX! It does WONDERS!
First time I had it done… I ran into someone I hadn’t seen in a year… WOW… you look great… you got your braces off, your smile looks great… hello… I never had braces a year ago… oh well… you look great… maybe it’s your hair… nope same… LOL!
Love your Funny story!
Fifi flowers: So good to meet you! Thank you for stopping by my blog and sharing your Botox experience and your sweet comment. And, I look forward to discovering your blog.
I so relate to your story. There are so many things I have tried that do nothing; it is so great to find something that really makes a difference!