My Personal Experience With Hair Extensions (9 Methods!)

Hair Extensions:  Not For Extended Periods

Before: Damage After Hairlocs Removal.  After: Fusion: Hate It And It Looks Awful, Too.

I once read a comment by some random celebrity (I can’t remember who, now) “The fastest way to having short hair, sans cutting it off, is to get hair extensions.”  Truer words were never spoken.  I have documented my experience with hair extensions over a 5 year period with 9 different systems so that you can better avoid the problems that I had.  I no longer have extensions but I have had enough experience with many methods to have an informed opinion about it.  I am not trying to dissuade anyone from getting them, I just want you to know what you are getting into with each method and the reality of its effects on your natural hair.  Hair extensions are not for everyone.

I sustained considerable hair damage, a huge dent in my pocket book but walked away with a ton of personal experience.

Photos and more: http://yestheyrefake.net/hair_extensions.htm

Permanent Make-up (Micropigmentation): My Not-So-Great Experience

Don’t you love the ads, “Wake up looking as though your make-up was freshly applied” or “never put make up on again”?  Whatever.  Obviously they weren’t referring to my face in the mornings.  I assure you, even with permanent makeup, I don’t look like Jane Diva when I crack my eyes open for the first time each day.

Restylane Under Eye & Nasolabial Injections

I first sought treatment for under eye hollows with Sculptra® in November of 2004 and again for my second treatment and also to nasolabials in February of 2005.   It lasted for about 18 months and since I had developed a nodule from the Sculptra®, I decided to try a product which I felt had less possible complications, Restylane. 

So August 30, 2006 I had my first Restylane® under eye injections with Jonathan Hoenig, M.D. in Beverly Hills, California.  Incidentally the above photo was from a treatment in September of 2009. I get Restylane injected under my eyes about once a year.
 
I have also been treated with 5FU injections (starting 8/2006) to correct the scar tissue between my left cheek and under eye from the fat grafting procedure I had in 2004.  Granted, I had the demarcation prior to any facial procedures, but the fat grafting seemed to accentuate it. 

Read more: http://yestheyrefake.net/restylane_undereye.htm

Sculptra For Facial Augmentation: The Liquid Face Lift

The Scultpra page has been updated with more information and personal treatment photos.  I first had Sculptra in late 2004 and again in early 2005 as part of a clinical study and used it for cosmetic applications for the cheeks, undereyes and nasolabials.

What Is Sculptra?
Sculptra is poly-l-lactic acid, a cross-linked lactic acid product which is injected into the dermis to trigger collagen production.  Sculptra is a semi-permanent product designed to create volume and thicken the skin via natural collagen formation and lasts about 18 months.

Sculptra Aesthetic® is FDA approved for cosmetic applications for the nasolabial folds and for other deep dermal wrinkles.  It is also used for cheek volume and along the jaw for augmentation.  It should not be used in the lips, and in thin-skinned areas like under the eyes (although I had gotten it there during clinicals).

Sculptra was originally approved only for patients with lipoatrophy, which is the loss of facial fat/volume from medications and disorders such as those for HIV.  Lipoatrophy is also known as facial wasting and can cause a gaunt, unhealthy look.  However, it was used off-label cosmetically.  Now that Sculptra Aesthetic® is FDA approved for cosmetic applications, patients can readily receive injections from their plastic surgeon or dermatologist.

Read more on how Sculptra Liquid Face Lift can restore lost volume or add volume where you’ve never had it!  http://www.yestheyrefake.net/sculptra.htm

Non-invasive Treatment Videos: Radiesse, Restylane & Botox

I re-edited the Radiesse, Restylane & Botox video into three parts (in the order of which I received the injections) and added some more footage.  Now you guys don’t have to watch the whole video to just watch one procedure you are interested in:

• Radiesse For Cheek Augmentation – Part 1 of 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMbh6XwyOuk
• Restylane Injections To The Undereyes – Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lBJNlft5Xc
• Botox Injections – Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TGh8EmVElc

I am working on surgery videos now so those should be up soon



Restylane® For Under Eye Hollows and Nasolabials

I first sought treatment for under eye hollows with Sculptra® in November of 2004 and again for my second treatment and also to nasolabials in February of 2005.   It lasted for about 18 months and since I had developed a nodule from the Sculptra®, I decided to try a product which I felt had less possible complications, Restylane.  So August 30, 2006 I had my first Restylane® under eye injections with Jonathan Hoenig, M.D. in Beverly Hills, California.  Incidentally the video to the right was from a treatment in September of 2009.

Juvederm To Submalar Area (Plus Botox and Restylane)

I was thrilled to get a touch up with Dr. Jonathan Hoenig in Beverly Hills today.   I am healing from my double layer 8% TCA peel so I look icky, but at least I just had my hair done yesterday, so I am hoping to look human again pretty soon.  I lost a few lb. I am so thankful to be able to pull myself out of this “rut” and get back into high gear

I wasn’t completely sure what I needed, so he advised he would examine my face and see what I had going on once I got there.  I knew I wanted lips and n/l’s for sure and Botox.  Of course I always want more cheeks, I just don’t think the Radiesse Cheek Augmentation did as much as I expected it would.  But then again, it has been over a year!  What did I expect?  And still, something needs to be done with my under eyes.  I feel old.

Read more…

http://yestheyrefake.net/journals/juvederm_submalar.htm

8% TCA Peel From Make-up Artist’s Choice (MUAC)

I had prepped with Retin A (applied over cetaphil lotion so it’s not as harsh) for a week and then waited a few days.  I barely peel with that regimen so my skin wasn’t inflamed after the delay.  Then I washed my face with Cetaphil (twice, lol) and applied the 8% TCA solution only once.  I waited 5 minutes and neutralized, used the green tea soap, blotted my face, then waited until my skin was dry and then applied triple antibiotic cream.  I did have frosting almost immediately in two areas: one spot on my cheek which had hyperpigmented after too much exfoliation with this mini sandpaper-like exfoliator 2 months ago, I DO NOT recommend doing that!  And a small spot on the side of my nose that was from a left over break out I support. That spot did peel from the Retin A and I thought it was well healed, well the TCA showed me it was not. I simply neutralized those 2 areas immediately as instructed but left the rest on my face the full 5 minutes. This morning my skin was tight so I washed my face again with teh green tea soap, dried and then applied the triple antibiotic cream. I don’t look at all like I have had a peel, other than the tightness which is temporary until I apply a cream. It feels a little like windburn if I stretch my face or yawn. But that’s it. I expect to peel within 3 days.  I want to be finished peeling by Wed! *crossing fingers* Then I will wait 2-3 weeks and do another peel.

Update: I was completely finished peeling by Day 5 and my skin does look a lot better.  I still have spots to peel (hyperpigmentation from past breakouts).

I hope to do another one soon

Careprost vs Latisse With Photos

I used Latisse first and had extraordinary results.  Then out of cost and a recommendation from forum members I bought Careprost.  I have been using Careprost for months on end and am on my third bottle now.  At first I thought my Latisse lashes were longer.  But then I compared pics and they look about the same.  I do wish they were a bit longer and thicker but this looks to be about the end of the lash-road for me.  I have been using it long enough to where I have reached my peak. lol 

Also, I have noticed I have had lash growth in the corner of my eye, under the normal lashline (rim, you can see two of them in the last pic) and definitely between the upper eyelid crease and below the eyebrow (like little downy hairs).  I started applying it to my brow edges a few months ago and I have noticed some growth, and some errant hairs as well.  I am assuming it pretty much gets all over you as you blink and the fluid spreads to the edges of your lashes before it has had a chance to dry.  Therefore I need a hand mirror and natural sunlight (outside is where I can see it best) to pluck away about once a month.

Has anyone had this change in their results after switching products?

 

Juvederm To Submalar Area, Restylane to Lips & Botox to Forehead, Glabella & Crow’s Feet

Juvederm To Submalar Area, Restylane to Lips & Botox to Forehead, Glabella & Crow’s Feet

*Firstly, I apologize for not having any before and afters.  I had sent the topical anesthetic pic to a friend, so that is why I have it.  But unfortunately my phone was stolen before I had a chance to remove the other pics off of it for my journal.

I was thrilled to get a touch up with Dr. Jonathan Hoeing in Beverly Hills today.   I am healing from my double layer 8% TCA peel so I look icky, but at least I just had my hair done yesterday, so I am hoping to look human again pretty soon.  I lost a few pounds.  I am so thankful to be able to pull myself out of this “rut” and get back into high gear

I wasn’t completely sure what I needed, so he advised he would examine my face and see what I had going on once I got there.  I knew I wanted lips and n/l’s for sure and Botox.  Of course I always want more cheeks, I just don’t think the Radiesse Cheek Augmentation did as much as I expected it would.  But then again, it has been over a year!  What did I expect?  And still, something needs to be done with my under eyes.  I feel old.  I had to work an event the weekend before and had two people say that I looked “different” since the last time they saw me just a few months ago.  Bleh.  And I got ma’amed 4 times in one day, lol.  Why don’t they just put me out to pasture, right?  Whatever.

I got to my appointment and he looked over my face and the first thing Dr. Hoenig said was, “You need to gain weight.”  
“No way!” I exclaimed.
He then proceeded to suggest I have my submalar area injected, lol. 
“Don’t you think I need more cheeks?”  I told him.
“You wouldn’t have any cheeks if it weren’t for me.”  said Dr. Hoenig.
*gasp!* “Not so!” I told him.  I pride myself on the fact that I have good cheek bones.  Don’t take my ONE plus I still have away from me, hehe!

I was apprehensive about injecting the submalar are but the more I looked, the more gaunt I really did appear.  I agreed.  Even Danya, agreed and I always listen to her.  So Dr. Hoenig applied some topical anesthetic and I waited for it to take effect.

He didn’t inject Restylane under my eyes.  He also didn’t inject anything into my nasolabials.  Dr. Hoenig said that he feels that unless they are deep, injecting that area to look flat causes the area between the upper lip and nose to look elongated which tends to age the face. *drat*

It must be Conservative Day , because this is what I wound up with:
Juvederm: 1 cc Juvederm in the submalar area, feathered to the malar area.  It actually looks better.  I have always been reluctant to get this area injected but I needed it.  I concede. (* had originally had posted that I had .8 Juve, but that was incorrect)

Restylane: 0.3 cc Restylane in my lips.   Bummer, I wanted more, lol.  He just did the cupid’s bow and a little touch to the center of my bottom lip.  I really wanted bigger lips, but he said “NO sausage lips.”    So I look natural.  Yay.  But it really does look natural, which is good. 

Botox: 25 units of Botox to forehead, glabella and only a touch to crow’s feet. Last year when I had my Radiesse, I had 54 units total.  I only got 25 units this time but it lasted until late March (2011). Really!

My Recovery
I bruised from everything!  From the Botox, the Restylane to my lips and I had some bruising in the cheek area from the Juvederm.  Plus, I was SUPER sensitive even with topical anteshetic.  It was very odd.  It’s not normal for me and Dr Hoenig was very surprised as well.  Even with a nerve block to the lip area I still felt the philtrum injections.  I am getting ready to “start” so I am always so super-sensitive beforehand.  I also think that I am anemic again so there ya go.  I have not drank anything lately so it was quite a shock to get bruising.

I still only have slight flaking left over from double layer 8% TCA, waiting another 2 weeks to do peel #2.   The peel really made the past blemishes and hyperigmentations dark this time.   I look like a hag right now.  But the TCA should help my complexion once it heals.

I am thinking about getting laser under my eyes, or the 35% in-office peel, but after the holidays.  He said my piddly 8% peels will do nothing like his 35% will.   I wonder what he thinks about the Vi peel.  I will have to ask next time I go.
Dr Hoenig had commented on a visible superficial vein under my eye that makes it look icky as well.  Aging SUCKS.
Conclusion
I really like the submalar injections.   It did make my face look more filled out and I was so against it for so long, haha.  I know it is difficult to judge how much you should have, as a patient, which is why I need to trust my doctor.  I redeemed myself of any doubt and sent  Thank You card to the office and commented that they told me so and that I shall never doubt him again.