UPDATE: Who ever thought the Sex and the City girls would be accused of being over the hill????
Granted, it's another medium altogether, but have a look at the article that came out this morning: http://movies.msn.com/movies/celebritybuzz?GT1=7701
My sister is always giving me stuff she buys to rejuvenate her skin. Now I'm not sure she's obsessed with looking younger-- personally, I think she just loves all the pretty, shiny little bottles and compacts and brushes. Who doesn't? Those Estee Lauder and Lancome and Clinique gifts don't walk onto millions of bathroom counters by themselves, you know. If I thought about it, I could probably get a complex of some kind. But. . . nah. What's in the mirror is what's in the mirror. And after all, it is just my sister.
Until recently.
It seems like "regeneration" and "looking years younger" are coming at me from every quarter these days. I just picked up one of my favorite sci-fi authors and his book was all about-- regeneration and becoming younger. Then I opened my browser and there was a whole spread of "famies" pictured before and after the "nip/tuck." Then I was walking through the family room-- at NOON, mind you-- and one of the national news shows had a tell-all piece on plastic surgery. Okay, enough's enough. I'll think about it.
As a woman and a writer "of a certain age," I began to wonder just how much my appearance affects what I do. At my age, have I still got the juice to write hot and steamy? At my age, should I be worrying about how I look in a bathing suit? At what age do I quit worrying about my appearance and just live? Ever?
Maybe it's all about attitude. Maybe it's the fact that looking younger in a mirror can make you behave a little differently, take on challenges you were too "tired" or "been there--done that" to consider before. Maybe it's about energy level and getting a boost from the inside out.
So, anyway, I started thinking about the inevitable. . . saggy aging. . . and wondered what I would/should do about it. Can I see myself getting a nip/tuck? Should I consider one of the non-surgical procedures that rejuvenate the skin? They now have acupuncture face lifts that apparently work rather well-- how about one of those? Or just spend more money of fancy creams and dermatology visits? How about the holistic route-- vitamins and wraps and massages?
Okay, a certain person who is very close to me had a face lift about three years ago, and it did her a world of good. She looks younger and feels better than she did staring at the wrinkles in the mirror. But it was something of a pain and she says she won't go through it again. I think she underestimated what it takes to recover from a surgery-- because, baby, it really is SURGERY. Don't let the "plastic" part fool you. So having seen all the ins and outs up close, I know what I'd really face, going that route. Not overly enthused at the prospect.
Plus: The average cost of facelift cosmetic surgery ranges from $6,000 to $15,000. Lots of money to spend on such a dicey effort. And what if something goes wrong? Think of poor Joan Van Ark. . .But if I look better and seem to be younger and more vital, might that effect the way people-- yes even industry publishing people-- see me? Would they think I was a more "bankable prospect" if I seemed ten years younger? Does physical appearance affect whether they put you out in the public eye? Does it affect whether they're willing to invest in you for a long run?
Yikes. Scaring myself, here.
And would any of this matter to my readers?
I'm not considering plastic surgery, but I think the mini-stuff done on an outpatient basis bears some looking into. However, I think one of the best things a woman can do for herself is lose excess weight and do whatever exercise she can enjoy. I'm trying that first. . . then when I see what's left of me, I'll decide where to go from there.
What do you think? If you have the money, is plastic surgery worth it? How do you plan to age? Does it concern you, or are you happy settling into grannyhood. . . with or without the grandkids? Do you think looking older has an effect on your career? Does how a writer looks influence how you see their work?
