Elaine Stritch, a strong capable actress - who has been kickin' around Hollywood for a few decades in a number of memorable roles - expressed her disdain recently for celebs who have chosen to go under the knife or seek an infusion of fresh flesh by virtue of Botox injections, and the like.
"There's nothing wrong with a bit of character in the face or a few lines," she argued wholeheartedly. "What they are doing with that Botox, though, is unnatural," she noted, in that distinctive stage voice.
They say, you get the face you deserve at 50. Can't blame some for wanting to smooth out that rutted road map, can you?
Curious that Stritch would raise the issue just as I happened to notice a number of stretched and mummified skins gracing a number of celebrated faces on talk shows this past week.
One actress, who appeared in a weekly TV Sitcom opposite a legendary St. Jude's supporter, had a "macabre" quality to her face, which bordered on scary.
Another, once a supporting player on a comedy - "Three's Too Many" (or something telling like that) - sported odd perforations 'round puffy, oversized lips.
Don't these high-profile society matrons ever take a gander in the mirror before they unleash their ghostly apparitions on the public at large?
Ladies, good skin requires a healthy regimen, which starts from the inside out.
First and foremost, it is important to note, the body thirsts for at least 8 glasses of water a day. You'll need at least that much refreshing aqua to ensure there is proper hydration nourishing the skin beneath the surface.
Secondly, the skin requires quality nutrients to transform it, sustain it, heal it.
Therefore, be sure to munch on plenty of fruits, and vegetables, and foods rich in the "good stuff" that will promote good skin - like, vitamin E, C, B - not bad, for starters.
Of course, you'll have to cut the smoking and the alchoholic intake. Both are ruinous to the shell you inhabit, ya know?
Moisturizers are important, too; but, don't fall prey to those ghastly products shopkeepers at the local mall lure you into snapping up for princely sums in a sampling booth.
Oh yes, skin-care workers will make a myriad of wild claims.
The one who gushed that a secret ingredient extracted from the deep sea scrolls had magical properites, was full of hogwash, for instance.
And, the snake oil salesmen who alleged that optimum quantities of shark cartilage was sure to do the "trick", didn't know cheekbones from jaws.
Frankly, if you want to put whale sperm on your face, or your derriere, that's your business.
I say phooey!
If you pine for an exotic treatment, go ahead. But, when your skin breaks out in "humps", you have no one to blame but yourself.
I have perused reports from scientists who adamantly assert that "no" skin cream is capable of penetrating the deep epidermis of the skin.
Yes, a moisturizer will plump up the surface - offer up a little glow, even - by virtue of the fact the cream helps replenish "moisture" to the outer surface of the skin.
And, Retin A, certainly takes on the role of exfoliate, capable of sloughing off the dead skin to prevent unsightly black heads, oily pimples, and the like.
But, you know what?
A $2.00 tube of Vaseline, or Aloe Vera skin cream purchased at Rite Aid, fairs just as well just as the product you forked up for the dizzying sum of $160.00 a 6-ounce jar for.
By the way...ample rest, and proper daily cleansing with a gentle face scrub or quality glycerin soap, are a priority.
Finally, be wise, and shield yourself from the harmful rays of the mid-day sun, whenever possible.
In fact, it is best to slather the silky cream on during peak hours, for instance - between 10 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon.
Choose a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays with an SPF of 15 or greater. If you're around reflective surfaces like water, snow, or ice, you may require a higher dosage.
Don't forget to don a hat and sport sun glasses that provide UV protection, as well.
In view of my chiding, you may want to chuck the whole idea of sunning under the blazing sun, but be careful about those tanning salons. After all, the golden toners use harmful UVA rays, which few users are aware of.
In several weeks, if you follow the advice, you'll marvel at the noticeable difference in your complexion - and - at ninety-percent less the cost of a face lift, chemical peel, or exotic product wasting away on the surface of your skin.
When you get right down to it, beauty is only skin deep.
Maybe it's time to focus on your soul for a change?
Actress Elaine Stritch
