When did they get… freckly? Speckly? Spotty? When did they start looking like a topographical map of the Oregon Trail? And more importantly— why was I suddenly planning a weekly “Zap Night”?
This Sunday, I officially begin my new skincare routine:
- One Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 IPL
- One bottle of something called AmLactin (which sounds suspiciously like farm equipment)
- A retinol that warns me—gently—“you may experience mild irritation” (translation: buckle up)
And just to really round things out…
I’m buying my kid a red light therapy panel for her 40th birthday in May. For her, of course. Absolutely for her. I will simply be … testing it. Extensively. On my face. Daily.
Now before you judge me, let me explain. This is not vanity. This is… maintenance.
The same way we:
- color our hair
- wear readers in every room of the house
- and make a small, dignified noise every time we stand up
We adapt. Because somewhere along the way, something shifts. At 30, you look in the mirror and think: “Do I look okay?” At 50, you think: “Is that new?” At 70+, you think: “Well … THAT wasn’t there yesterday.”
And yet… here’s the thing. I don’t actually want to look 30. I don’t even want to look 50. I just want to look like me… but slightly less sun-damaged. Is that too much to ask?
So yes.
Starting today, April 19, I will be quietly zapping my arms and hands. Every Sunday.
On Monday, I will be exfoliating.
On Tuesday, I will be renewing. And wearing little white cotton gloves to bed.
And at some point after May 22, I will be sitting in front of a glowing red panel like I’m trying to contact extraterrestrial life.
And honestly? I’m kind of okay with it. Because this isn’t about chasing youth.
It’s about taking care of the skin that got me here.
The same hands that:
- drove carpools
- held babies
- worked in the yard
- made dinners
- and now… occasionally hold a glass of wine while Googling “age spots vs something worse”
These old hands and arms deserve a little attention.
So am I vain?
Maybe.
But I prefer to think of it as selective enthusiasm for not looking like a parchment document from 1847.
And if you need me Sunday night… I’ll be in the bathroom. Zapping.
Not vanity at all, but as you said taking care of what you have. I need to follow your example.
ReplyDeleteWe need to nourish our largest organ, our skin. And it's not too late to start! Every little bit of care will help ....
DeleteI often wonder why I didn't get the gene that other women seem to have that drives them into obsessing/doing maintenance on their skin. My niece will spend whatever it takes to try the next great product to prevent lines and wrinkles spots and whatever. Me? it's a lost cause. More power to you. I hope your routine helps achieve your goals.
ReplyDeleteWell, I hope I'm not obsessing (that has such a negative connotation) Maintenance? For sure. My goal is to help my thinning skin last as long as I do. Kate is the smart one ... she started years ago. I don't think I would have invested $$$ for these two machines if I wasn't sure she would use them more than me.
DeleteI just don't need to look older than I am! Thanks for reading AND commenting!