DivaDebbi's Holiday Giveaway's: A gift of youthful beauty

For many of us, December is a very busy month socially, in a blink we've gone from 4th of July barbeques to Holiday Cocktail parties.  In the last month I have seen friends who looked refreshed and radiantly beautiful and some who looked overly botoxed and frighteningly filled.

How to you avoid the latter?  Below is an excerpt from a previous post I wrote about Botox with my point of view.  At that time, Courtney Dunavent, P.A. with the New York Group for Plastic Surgery generously offered my readers a 10% discount on their first appointment for any of her services. This time, to help you look natural and refreshed in the New Year, Courtney has agreed to offer DivaDebbi readers 15% off their first appointment! 

Read on:
 Last year over 1,000,000 people tried Botox for the first time.  Chances are, if done properly, most will be pleased with their results and thus repeat the procedure 3 or 4 times a year.  Botox, has more or less owned this burgeoning market for the last 20 years, with virtually no competition. As a result, prices have not come down, but do vary by practice and practitioner.  

Dysport, joined the frey about two years ago.  Some women like it because it tends to kick in faster and is a little less expensive.  Its chemical makeup differs from Botox, so it requires 3x more product and someone comfortable with their abacus to successfully convert the proper amount of units needed.  The inside poop?  Clients like it, some practioners...not as much.

What's the best way to find the right person to administer a muscle paralyzing toxin into your face?  Be your own detective...  If you have a friend who has the permanently surprised look of someone who just sat on a pinecone or is so frozen you cannot discern she is emoting, try to find out who they are using and stay clear.  

Conversely, if a good friend looks refreshed, a few years younger and has natural movement, ask them if they "know" of anyone to recommend for your maiden voyage...(mind you, you are about to find out just how good this friend really is).  She will either come clean with her own experience or at least tell you who she has "heard" does good needle.

In my opinion, Girls Night Out parties, dentist offices and day spas are environments that are better suited to wine, amalgam and steam facials. Plastic Surgeon and Dermatologist's offices are a much safer bet of a good result.

What should you look for?

• A qualified, recommended Dr., Physician's Assistant or Nurse Practioner
• An immaculate environment
• Someone who takes the time to ask you about your goals and objectives while you look in a hand mirror
• No surprises.  Ask approximately what the per unit cost of your Botox, Dysport  is and approximately what your visit will cost. 
• A candid discussion about how much movement you wish to retain (there really are women who want to be "completely frozen").
• Someone who discusses potential side effects and bruising candidly and asks if you are doing this in advance of an important event
• Someone who prefers to do less until you see how you like your results and will gladly see you in a week or two, to evaluate if  more is needed.

Who would I recommend if  I knew someone???

Hands down Courtney Dunavent, Physician's Assistant to the Plastic Surgeon's at The N.Y. Group for Plastic Surgery in Tarrytown, N.Y.(Easily accessible, particularly for those in the tri-state area). Consultations with Courtney are always welcome, so even if you are just thinking about taking this step, you can come and be educated about what non-surgical options (including Restalyne, Sculptra or Ultherapy) may help you look as young as you feel.

Patients who mention they are DivaDebbi readers will also enjoy a 15% discount off their first appointment in 2013. (914-366-6139)

Do I really think everyone I know has taken the plunge???...

Ya.  I do. For better and for worse.  Choose better.

xox,
DD