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Cosmetic Enhancements And Depression Among Doctors, Patients
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littlebunnyfoofoo
03/16/09

In reply to Cosmetic Enhancements And Depression Among Doctors, Patients
Enough with the ignorant Botox bashing, ladies! What you are doing is tied to agism and deep down you know it, don't you?

First off, Botox doesn't affect your smile, so drop that nonsense right now.

Secondly, you know how we talk about the fact that if you don't have a uterus, you shouldn't have a say in abortion? Well, if you're under thirty-six or so, you don't get to make sweeping judgments about aging and how one is "supposed to do it."

I had no idea how annoying it would be so see myself looking older and yet still feeling the same on the inside. Until you are here, you can't say shit.

However, if you are over forty and you are against Botox or hair dye or Spanx, then feel free to kick my ass. Anyone else: STFU! And get off my lawn!
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littlebunnyfoofoo
03/16/09

@littlebunnyfoofoo: That felt kind of good. Now, anyone know if ageism is spelled with an "e" or without? The Botox has seeped into my brain and messed up my spelling cortex.
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bebedamour
03/16/09

In reply to Cosmetic Enhancements And Depression Among Doctors, Patients
Um, I'm going to defend my Botox love a little bit here,
just because I see a lot of judgey comments about it and like anything, moderation is always going to factor in. I have plenty of expression but do not have a deep crevisse between my eyes anymore since I have used Botox. I feel great and am "refreshed" looking, not frozen, not creepy, thank you very much. And now, this economic climate will probaby mean that I won't be able to justify such a vain expense, but I am just a wee bit annoyed at the Botox bashing. You can overdo anything, hair dye, make-up, clothing choices, whatever...a little tolerance would be nice, no one is forcing you to do it.
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littlebunnyfoofoo
03/16/09

@bebedamour: Thank you. I used to be the only Botox defender around here and have gotten really nasty comments about it.

But there is a lot of ageism on this site and it has gotten worse in the last six months or so. I remember being kind of dramatic and judgmental myself in my early twenties so I usually just bite my tongue and let them make their grand pronouncements about how one is supposed to age. They'll find out soon enough...
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MerryLilly
03/16/09

In reply to Cosmetic Enhancements And Depression Among Doctors, Patients
I see Botox beneficial to fill a very deep wrinkle (like one between the eyebrows or something). But botoxing your whole face... nah. I believe that: some wrinkles + water,fruits,veggies + sunscreen makes you look way more radiant.
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AtomiClash: humanitarian misanthrope
03/16/09

In reply to Cosmetic Enhancements And Depression Among Doctors, Patients
Some of the participants were asked to keep a blank face while examining the photos, while others were allowed to express their natural reactions.

Who has that much control? No wonder I suck a poker...

Plus, I thought that this was a part of the "smile more you'll be happier" school of thought? No? Perhaps those who go in for cosmetic procedures are likely to be depressed for other reasons than they can't move their faces?

It's just a quagmire of ridiculousness, this story.
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Whiskey and Popcorn
03/16/09

In reply to Cosmetic Enhancements And Depression Among Doctors, Patients
Just smile with your eyes, guys.
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morninggloria
03/16/09

In reply to Cosmetic Enhancements And Depression Among Doctors, Patients
I know that whenever something hilarious happens and I can't laugh (like when someone named "Dick Johnson" comes in to the office), I have some real difficulty.
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tscheese
03/16/09

@morninggloria: I spend like eight hours a day trying to supress my laughter on Jezebel.

I am probably giving myself an aneurysm. A really shiny happy one!
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morninggloria
03/16/09

@tscheese: It will be like a disco ball exploded in your head!
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Grim Reaper of the Forest
03/16/09

@morninggloria: My parents have a neighbor named Dick Small. I used to babysit for his son, Dick Small, Jr. No joke.
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MerryLilly
03/16/09

@morninggloria: Disco ball, LOL.. you guys crack me up. I am too suppressing my emotions right NOW, don't wanna be the loony one at the office.
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PhDork
03/16/09

In reply to Cosmetic Enhancements And Depression Among Doctors, Patients
I suspect there's something to this. There is an acting technique called "Alba Emoting" that uses expressions and breath to summon emotional states. It's not as simple as "if you smile you will be happy," but there is muscle memory, and the mind-body connection goes both ways.
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mysterygirl
03/16/09

@PhDork: I would have guessed the Alba method of acting to be looking wooden but extremely pretty.

Ok, sorry.
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PhDork
03/16/09

@mysterygirl: Zing!
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linnyt is a walking cliché
03/16/09

In reply to Cosmetic Enhancements And Depression Among Doctors, Patients
I know it's hokey but I try to smile to make myself feel better. It kind of works when I can remember to do it. I think if I'm thinking about smiling I'm not thinking about bummers. I can buy this study. If I could only internalize I'd get pretty sad about it too and eventually depressed.
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MerryLilly
03/16/09

@linnyt is a walking cliché: I do that too. As they say, motions are the precursors of emotions. If we smile, we'll eventually feel better and start to smile genuinely. PS. I have nothing witty to add about Botox here.
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LaFemme
03/16/09

In reply to Cosmetic Enhancements And Depression Among Doctors, Patients
So.... are prices going to go down?
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crazy_lady
03/16/09

@LaFemme: LOL!

You know, I don't mind needles...but in the face? Gah. It seems so scary.

Not that I'm against other cosmetic surgery for myself. Sigh.
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LaFemme
03/16/09

@crazy_lady: I am in the market for rhinoplasty, so this would be a welcomed discount.

I thought needles in the face seemed scary, but then I had some cortisone shots for cystic acne, which I imagine to be similar to getting Botox. It was definitely uncomfortbale, but not unbearable.
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crazy_lady
03/16/09

@LaFemme: Ah, okay. I thought you were just making an insightful/funny statement.

Do those cortisone shots work?

But good to know it's not unbearable.
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LaFemme
03/16/09

@crazy_lady: Ha, a bit of both really. Funny, insightful, reality...

They really do work. If your cyst is really big and painful the shots are pretty much the only way to get it to go down short of waiting it out. They also prevent scarring.
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crazy_lady
03/16/09

@LaFemme: Thanks for explaining. Filed under "useful info for the future". :)
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NOLA girl
03/16/09

@crazy_lady: I actually had botox this morning. I HATE needles, but it didn't hurt at all.
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tscheese
03/16/09

In reply to Cosmetic Enhancements And Depression Among Doctors, Patients
Paralysing muscles that help you to express emotion leads to internalising these feelings."

Okay, but you still have the IMPULSE to make the gesture, right? Like, I have full command of my facial muscles, but when I get the impulse to roll my eyes or knit my brows in frustration or disgust, I still suppress those emotions if I'm in a social situation that demands politeness.

Or is this like some weird "phantom limb" type stuff where you want to make the gesture and can't?
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Plum-Pie
03/16/09

@tscheese: But you have the option of choosing when to do the side-eye and when not. You remove the 'in-the-moment' decision from yourself if you have botox.
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girlwithoutahero
03/16/09

@tscheese: can you teach me how to suppress the eyeroll? I have completely forgotten. Along with the bugged out eye.

Social Skills...I am losing them.
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tscheese
03/16/09

@everydaybrogues: I can't stop the bugged-out eye and the underlid twitch. If someone is being blatantly and deliberately absurd, annoying, or incendiary to me, I can keep a straight face EXCEPT FOR THE HELL-EYE AND THE UNDERLID CRINGE. I cannot stop myself. It's such a primal emotion.
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inabook
03/16/09

@tscheese: it has to do with chemicals and feedback-- yes, you smile/frown because you're happy/upset, but just putting your face into certain positions sends signals to your brain to influence it to be that emotion. So it makes sense that constantly blank face = brain getting signals that hey, I must feel kind of blank.
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lilbobbytables
03/16/09

In reply to Cosmetic Enhancements And Depression Among Doctors, Patients
"There has been a significant drop across the country because cosmetic surgery is a lifestyle choice. When times are hard, people considering cosmetic surgery may decide to put it off."

This makes sense. Elective Plastic Surgery, to me, is not a need. There are exceptions, to be sure, but I would rather have a roof than botox.
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merv
03/16/09

In reply to Cosmetic Enhancements And Depression Among Doctors, Patients
I wonder how much of this is a chicken and the egg sort of thing. Maybe it's that people are a bit depressed so they get Botox. And maybe that doesn't really make people feel better (make them younger or even look much younger) so they feel more depressed.
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Plum-Pie
03/16/09

@mervbaby: Yes, or people who are less likely to accept the aging process are more likely to be repressing their feelings.
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WashingMyHair
03/16/09

@mervbaby: Yes, exactly. Kind of like the ongoing debate regarding depression, Accutane and acne.
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merv
03/16/09

@Plum-Pie: exactly.
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argle-bargle? or fou-ferraw?
03/16/09

@mervbaby: that was my first thought, too.
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BrutallyHonestBabes (aka Mrs. Sarah.of.a.Lesser.Hobbit)
03/16/09

In reply to Cosmetic Enhancements And Depression Among Doctors, Patients
Because if the worsening economy, I tried do-it-yourself botox. The procedure combined my love for my face and my love of being too lazy to put food away.

Potato salad left out all day + syringe = unwrinkled face + BONUS trip to emergency room where I lost 5 pounds!!
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greengrey
03/16/09

@BrutallyHonestBabes (aka Mrs. Sarah.of.a.Lesser.Hobbit): You should write an article for cosmo. Recessionista Cosmetic Surgery!

Though the thought of "DYI" breast implants is making me gaggy...
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merv
03/16/09

@greengrey: You should publish an entire book of these recipes. Next: DIY Diet Pills from Spoiled Eggs and Red Bull.
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WashingMyHair
03/16/09

@BrutallyHonestBabes (aka Mrs. Sarah.of.a.Lesser.Hobbit):

To save money and keep looking beautiful, I've become a beekeeper. Instead of getting Restlyne injections to plump up my lips, I just coated each of them with nectar and stuck them in the opening of a hungry, bee filled jar. I also had the added benefit of a freshly made honey to drench my parched skin.
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trikota
03/16/09

In reply to Cosmetic Enhancements And Depression Among Doctors, Patients
I am not a proponent of Botox, but my feelings are that it is not the same as suppressing the feelings. Your facial muscles are just not responsive. Am I wrong?
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WashingMyHair
03/16/09

@trikota: Botox relaxes the muscles and the truth is, Botox injections are an art. If injected correctly, you should be able to have facial expressions, just not as exaggerated as before the injections, thus, less furrowed brows, crows feet or frown lines.

If anyone has a constant surprised look or can't show emotion in their face, then the doctor is doing it wrong.
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Whiskey and Popcorn
03/16/09

In reply to Cosmetic Enhancements And Depression Among Doctors, Patients
This makes sense. Facial expressions relieve stress, in a way words can't. Bish Plz on the face just says a thousand words.
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vamusical
03/16/09

@JanicefromSA: Whiskey and popcorn: This relieves me, as an expressive person who has been told her entertaining facial expressions would ultimately lead to early wrinkles. I may be wrinkled, but at least I'll be happy!
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tscheese
03/16/09

@vamusical: I'd rather have some signs of aging and overwhelming evidence of a happy life than a frozen, pristine face.

My aunt has an amazing sense of humor, very good-looking lady. Many years of laughing and smiling have kind of shaped the lines in her face. You take one look at her and you can tell that the smile muscles have been the most used.

Me, I hate exercise, so maybe my face will freeze into a stoic scowl. Just what I wanted!
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stacyinbean
03/16/09

@vamusical: YAY! I hear the same thing, if I want to smile and make silly faces I'm going to! Who cares about wrinkles, my goodness?! Also, sometimes I feel funny around here because a lot of people talk about how they aren't smiley and get told to smile a lot. I'm the opposite, I am constantly smiling, it just doesn't go away!
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