Jen, wasn't there an anesthetic in the injection? The first time I had Restylane several years ago there wasn't and it was a very unpleasant experience (undereye). Since then, there's a built-in anesthetic, so after the initial poke in an area, there's no pain at all.

TR, that is exactly what I want. I don't want to "look" younger. I would just like to see a less tired look. I don't ever want to be cut (that opinion has changed because when I was younger I even had a specific account for future fl) but I want to see a reduction of orange peel on my chin and my deep nasal labial folds. I love the faint lines around my eyes, I laughed a lot to get them.

Last evening I did some research on local providers and found a mixed bag. I would say 50 to 60% actually looked better before hand but they were usually younger women who didn't need anything done in the first place.

Linelle, yes there was an anesthetic in the injection but it was still not completely painless for me with the Voluma. The Botoz I didn't even feel at all.

HK, I too did a little research on the mini lift but was pretty horrified by a graphic video I saw. I don't want surgery, at least not at this point in my life. If I felt more comfortable sharing photos here I would show you the difference in my own face. I have decided I don't care to make myself "publicly vulnerable" in that way here, if you know what I mean.

IMO, speculating that a gorgeous looking 70 year old celebrity has had work done makes more sense than speculating that she hasn't. If we could all look like Helen Mirren naturally, there wouldn't be a need for cosmetic enhancements. If she and other celebrities are the standard for "natural beauty" then the rest of us are in big trouble. It's unrealistic to think that we are all going to age as "gracefully" as she has without any assistance.

TR, did you get all six syringes?

Yep, six of Voluma.

Aw, heck, I don't look like Mirren or Law now. No chance I will look like them any time in the future. Ha. Still, plan to age as well as I can.

Thanks TR, it is nice of you to share your experience.

I think it's safe to say that many celebrities that are much younger than Mirren, et al. have had at least some work done. If it's becoming more commonplace where I live, it's certainly BEEN commonplace in Hollywood. I'd wager that you see younger people - women and men - on the tv programs you regularly watch who have had at least a little tweak done, but you'd never know it. I think there's probably more good work out there than bad.

I can't even bring myself to let anyone except immediate family know what I've had done for fear of being judged.

No wonder! We are held to an unnatural standard of what is "natural beauty" and then made to feel like we've somehow failed if we can't achieve that look naturally. At least Christie Brinkley says she gets lots of help to look as good as she does. Others who claim they've defied the aging process with "good genes" and by drinking gallons of water are, for the most part, full of BS.

Given the recent discussions about fillers, I thought some might find this blog post of interest. Lots of new fillers coming on the market! http://divadebbi.blogspot.com/2016/02/lisa-topham-rn-bsn-turning-back-clock.html

Thanks dsg! A five year filler would be fab. I'll have to ask my doc if he's heard anything about that.

The thing I didn't realize about fillers until recently is they require routine maintenance if you want to keep on top of the look. You shouldn't wait the full lifespan of the product and then have it all redone, but should plan on periodic "top offs" using less of the product, but this will extend the longevity of the product. Something else to budget for now. ;-)

Totally worth it to me though. I saw my mom yesterday and she raved at the change she saw. She said she could definitely see a lift, particularly around my eyes which has long been a droopy area on me. I can FEEL my eyes are open more. I think I just look more awake, but not in a frozen way.

OK, I'll stop talking about my filler now. I'm just excited and very pleased with the results.

I've been having problems with eyelid twitching. I'm due for an eye exam, but I've also read that botox helps with that.

TR, you dont have to stop talking about your filler. Some of us,contemplating it are interested in what you have to say. I know the experience isnt the same for everyone, but at least what you say is authentic. Sometimes it is hard to tell whether some of the reviews on line are for real or not.

Thank you, RA. I really appreciate that. I don't want to wear out my welcome on the subject, but am pleased to know that others are interested. :-)

Jen, please don't! You're getting me closer to getting there! Sharing your experience/insight about what you had done can only be helpful to anyone considering any cosmetic treatment. Wish you would post pix. You could do eyes, mouth, cheek lifting in individual pix, avoiding showing your whole face if that's a concern. An sure we would all love to see results, especially if you took befores. ;)

I did take before and after pics. I'd love to share them for those who are considering something similar and have been thinking it over. I'm not open to negative or critiical comments though, and you know how that works around here at times. They seem to crawl uninvited out of the floorboards. ;-)

TR, I have been saving up for quite a while to do fillers. I have a Derm in Lubbock who does great Botox but I am really intrigued by your Dr. D. It's a quick flight to your part of Texas.

Thank you for all your info and details. I am so glad you are pleased with your results!

Cattyles, feel free to PM me and I'll share Dr D's contact info with you! ;-)

Oh wow, TR you're gorgeous! Truly. You look rested and fresh and........happier, in the afters. Congrats on such fantastic results!

Well done! You look great.

Oh my goodness Jen! You were beautiful before, beautiful and rested looking afterwards. Thank you so much for sharing.

Definite difference, looks great, very natural. Thanks so much for sharing.

Thank you, sweet ladies. I feel like singing the praises of Dr D and appreciate the opportunity to share here. I feel like he gave me back a bit of the younger me, and it's making a difference in how I see myself. I know looks aren't even remotely close to being the most important aspect of who I am, but they are a part of me. And I intend to keep "repairing" this 53 year old house for as long as I'm able to do so. :-)

TR, your Dr D did a great job. You look just fabulous and refreshed, just like you wanted. And I can't see any bruising either, which is good news. I was wondering if the Voluma would cause any bruising. Your experience with it and seeing the results has probably tipped me in favor of it since my cheeks are showing volume loss.

you look great!!

You look beautiful. Well worth it & thanks for sharing your experience & pictures.

Thanks for sharing Jen. The "afters" look like the same woman - just more "refreshed".

It's like the difference between looking tired and worn out and looking like you just got back from vacation. :)

Beautiful, Jen! I'm really impressed with how natural and subtle the changes are (but he had an already lovely face to work on!) :)

Thank you for sharing, it really helps to see pictures. I definitely want to talk to your doctor for myself!

I like the results. I will be 53 in June. :)

Gah. I had only seen those photos on my phone, but on my computer monitor they're quite scary, so I apologize if I startled anyone. ;-)

Thanks again for the kind words. I think my eyes are opened up a little more today. I just realized that my expressions in the pics I took gave me a rather deranged look, and I don't think I look like that normally!

Still thinking about that undereye area. Seeing the wrinkles in these larger pics makes me a little more determined to do something. I'll have to wait a while, though. DH is going for his Kybella treatment tomorrow. It's his birthday too. "Happy birthday, sweetie. Now go get your neck fat jabbed with sharp things." ;-)

OutsidePlaying - there is a little bruising in my temple area, but my hair covers that pretty well, as does a good concealer. It really is not bad at all. Dr D cautioned me that I might have some discomfort chewing for the first couple of days after the temple injections, since that's all "connected", and he was right. It was a little uncomfortable, but I also didn't miss any meals, so ... ;-)

Looking good, Jen!!! Going back and forth between the B&A, I can't even put my finger on what's different, just that you look more refreshed, rested, and happy. It doesn't look like you've had anything done.

Well, thank you, Linelle - and that's good! LOL! I had hoped not to return to work today with people staring and murmuring, "WTH happened to her?" ;-)

I will just go ahead and post this here (although we seem to have a number of threads devoted to product). Dr D's nurse/wife sold me on TNS Serum and TNS Ultimate Daily Moisturizer by SkinMedica. SkinMedica is associated with Allergan, which makes Voluma. She suggested I try the serum instead of Retin-A, claiming that the results are much quicker and there's no flaking and peeling. The serum is made with human growth factor derived from human foreskins (just putting that out there, for anyone sensitive to such usage). I've only been using these products for three days, but am really looking forward to seeing what they do.

Skinmedica website

https://www.truthinaging.com/review/reader-review-skinmedicas-tns-essential-serum

So did the people at work notice your new look?

My boss kinda stared at me a little longer than usual, but didn't say anything. He wouldn't though. I haven't been out and about to see people this morning - playing catch-up from being out of the office a few days last week.

I'm starting to feel the Botox in my chin today. The doc did say it would take several days for the Botox to kick in, and he was right. I felt it in my brows lifting first, and today can really feel it pulling my chin down. Not uncomfortable, but definitely different!

TR, I am really interested in Mr. TR's Kybella, too!

I'll let you know how it goes, cat! The doc told him that he'd swell up like an old toad after the injections (well, around the neck area), so I think he's already planning on having a week "in", not venturing out looking all bloated. I hope it's not bad for him. He's also going to get a little Botox while he's in the doc's office. He has the same issue with sagging eyes as I do.

Thanks for sharing your experience, TR. Love your B&A's. Your're a great example of what I said in a previous post about wanting to look the best we can at whatever age we are. Again, thanks for sharing!

I too say thanks for sharing your experiences. Even for those of us who have had injections, each is different, so it's good to share.

My doc & his nurse told me to expect bruising with Voluma in the cheek area. His nurse even said there was some sort of mask thing you can wear to help. I'm not sure anything helps me with bruising, I'm just prone to bruise. I've always had a few with the Juvederm, especially around my mouth area, so I'll probably bruise anyway. I have an appointment in late March so guess we'll find out!

Good luck to your DH!

I really hope that those of you who are going to "get some work done" in the near future will share your experience/photos here as well. I think as much information as we can disseminate and gather, the better informed we will be when it comes to making these personal decisions. :-)

Last year I tried some version of a serum. The dispenser squirted out two substances, one like a lotion and the other red and more translucent. Then they got mixed together and applied. Although the smell wasn't strong, it was unpleasant. Couldn't put my finger on it, but maybe all those foreskins. Anyway, it was crazy expensive, just crazy, and without visible results, I won't be buying it again.

TR, you do look refreshed! I know you are pleased.

Thought I'd steer you to Beautypedia for some reading on the recently purchased TNS product. In the "SkinMedica" hot pink box at the top of page, click on "Learn more" for more in depth info. You can also read the review of your purchase(s). I've found this website is better for third party testing/reviews/etc.

I'm glad you are happy with your experience Jen, you look great ! I had Botox and fillers at a new md on October 6 so reading your experience reminded me that I should go back for touchups on fillers and new Botox, although I can't see that it's all gone, downside to all this that it is addictive, how can it not be when it enhances our looks. I've been doing this for 3 or 4 years, I started when a friend of mine who was a sales rep for Juvederm asked if I wanted to be a model for their clinics when they train drs and nurses who will be injecting, I got the product at half price, I did this 3 times the first year and then I was hooked, lol...... I've since moved to Toronto so I can't go to the clinics anymore, and also they limited the injections since they were teaching and using a few different people to demonstrate the product application.

What you are describing is pretty much my experience, light bruising, tightness when the Botox kicks in: sometimes bruise appears an hour later, not immediately.

I usually feel like I've been punched in the face , for a day or two.

As for lips, I had my upper lip plumped up a bit last time, that goes down rather quickly I must say, I guess because of lip smacking, eating, etc... not sure if I'll have it done again this time. ( who am I kidding , I will )

My lower lip is plumper than my upper, although with lipstick I can fix my upper a bit.

Linelle, that sounds like TNS. It does have an odd smell, but I don't find it terribly unpleasant and it doesn't linger. Sorry you didn't like it, and you're right -- it's expensive. I won't keep using it if I don't see results, but I'm going to give it a go.

Allison, thank you for your kind words! Thanks too for the link. I read Begoun's review the evening I got home from the procedure. I have mixed emotions about her opinions, to be honest. I don't think she's entirely unbiased, so I kind of take what she and/or her research team has to say with a grain of salt.

Wow, mitch - what a way to get you hooked, starting you out as a model getting the product for half price! LOL! I can see how it could become addictive and I must admit that I'm already starting to sort of "worry" about when I begin to notice the effects diminishing. I've got an appointment for the first week in June to have the Botox retouched. I'll likely go back in November (when the doctor has "customer appreciation month" and runs some awesome specials) to have a top off done on the Voluma. As it was, he was having a special on Voluma syringes - buy two at regular price and receive the third for $100, so I was able to save a pretty good chunk of change for my first procedure. I had wondered how the lip plumping worked. I've seen it done well, but I've also seen so many duck lips that I think I'd rather just stick with what nature gave me in that area. My lower lip is also a lot fuller than my upper, but it doesn't really bother me.

Omg Jen, you were a cutie patootie to begin with(more girlie than woman like!)but now you just look more refreshed and awake. The 'erasing' of the shadows under the eyes makes such a big difference, and can see the difference in your chin. Definitely can see the lift you talked about, too. All I can say is your money wasn't wasted, which has to be a good feeling. Are you hooked?

Whoops.....and thank you soooo very much for sharing your experience with us. Reading about it is one thing, but seeing actual pictures makes it more real! ;)

I recently read in an article that Botox treatment helps for migraines and headaches( http://www.med-aesthetics.com/cosmetic-botox/ ). If you suffer from chronic migraines and have not had success with traditional treatments, botox could offer a viable solution.

As well as bladder controL. OUCH!!!!