Discreet Retreat
Feel like you could use a little boost in the form of a nip, tuck or injectable but you don’t want the world to know? No need to add to those worry lines—there are plenty of quick and easy procedures that have very little healing time and can be concealed by a weekend excursion. Expert Dr. Adams of The Adams Center (18 Newbury St., 617-2622208) gives us the scoop on procedures that fly under the radar. By Samantha House
“There’s no question, Botox is the wonder drug when you’re looking for a quick-fix,” says Dr. Adams. This simple shot takes almost no time to administer and can do everything from relaxing lines between your brows and calming crow’s feet to lifting brow and frown lines in some cases. But did you know this miracle substance can also flatten the aging muscles on your neck and prevent underarm sweating? “The side effects of Botox are minimal if they happen at all and there’s really no healing time—you can do it on your lunch break.” Fillers is a term used for a number of substances which are injected into any area of the face to add volume. “Over time, your face loses volume and makes you look older,” says Adams. Most people instantly think of plumped-up lips courtesy of collagen—and they would be right, but medical science has come a long way since Cher’s pioneering ef10
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forts. Today, experts are using more advanced substances such as Restylane, Juvederm and Sculptra. “They each have advantages and disadvantages,” notes Adams, “but the best thing about filler is that if it’s done right, you look instantly younger and it’s hard for people to tell why.” Like Botox, this requires a steady hand and virtually no healing time. If you’re looking for big results in a short time, Dr. Adams recommends the Limited Face Lift, which is a surgical procedure where two small incisions are made near the ear, the deeper layer under the skin is tightened and then the skin is reattached around and inside the ear. Even with its five-day recovery time, the incision is so minimal and the location so discreet that you could easily hide it behind your hair and no one would be the wiser. Years younger-looking in under a week? Who doesn’t want that?