Face Off

Have you ever watched the movie, Face Off, with John Travolta and Nicholas Cage. You know, the one where their faces are translpanted on the other's body. Have you ever thought, how cool would that be? Me, too. Well, not to THAT extreme, but a new face, or new skin, in my case.

A few years ago, I started noticing this dark mass on my upper lip. The skin there was much darker than the other skin on my face. Ok, to be blunt, it starting look like I had a mustache. I am Italian, and very proud, but hey, I am not THAT Italian!
Anyways, after seeing a dermatologist, he diagnosed it as melasma, or hyper pigmentation of the skin. The majority of women who develop this are either pregnant, on hormones, such as birthcontrol or too much sun exposure. I, fell into the latter. Once summer ended, it began to fade and I never thought about it again.

Last March, I began my yearly ritual of tanning. Yes, in the tanning bed. I was to be married in May and wanted to be as tan as possible to compliment the whiter than white dress I picked out. So, I tanned for 3 entire months, not missing a day. I also exposed my face in the bed, which is not something I normally do. I cover my face, then use make up to have the appearance of a tan. Not that time. I wanted to be as dark as possible, so I could wear the least amount of make up on my actual face for the wedding. It worked. I was browner than dirt. I loved it.

Then, one year later, I start my ritual again. This time in April. A month later, but then, I had no special plans. Just wanted to look tan, and no tourist white. I did cover my face again. Been on the bike a few hot days. The usual.

Well, I woke up a few weeks ago and just really looked at my skin. The pores I have always had just seemed enormous! I mean huge! So, I hook up with an old friend I went to elementary school with and she sells Arbonne Products. I ordered the ENTIRE anti aging line, and for the most part, I was quite happy with the results. On top of that, I only use the best make up out there..Bare Minerals. For my female friends, this is truly the best make up EVER.

Anyhow, I still keep noticing these pores. My dad has enlarged pores and they are hereditary, so I go with it. BUT, I cannot stand the way my skin is starting to look. Always dry, tight, and no matter how much make up I use, I still cannot help but notice these gigantic holes in my face. UGH> hated this. I do not think it really bothered me so much until we were at a function at my boss's house and my daughter was going on and on about how she wanted to go tanning before she went to Florida. I said no way. Then, my female boss says to my daughter, and I quote, "Tanning ruins your skin, look at your mother's face." I wanted to either smack her or crawl in a hole. I was speechless. I know she meant no harm, as I know the type of heart she has, but it really bothered me. Every day since, I was constantly in the mirror, checking to make sure what I had covered was still covered. Taking forever to get ready in the morning just to go to work.

Then, on my monthly visit to my doctor, I see this sign. Skin therapy! In my doctor's office. Microdermabrasion, Botox, etc. I was ecstatic! I could not wait to get in to see my doc. I flew in there and said, so, what is up with the botox? LMAO. He looked at me and my frazzled little self and said, wtf? (yes, he really said wtf?), Lysa you do NOT need Botox. I said, well ok, what is up with the skin care? He said go over and ask! But, I did not. I went home and discussed this with Mike. He said, if it means that much to you, call and find out the cost, etc, and we will make it happen. I heart this man!

So, last week I called and set up a consult. I did all the research and decided that microdermabrasion was my thing. So, I go prepared to tell the skin lady, I wanted it. Make the pores go away! No such luck. I have severe sun damage that it giving the illusion of the large pores. WHAT??? She had me look in a mirror at my face up. And sure enough there are brown spots everywhere, but especially in the area I swore were just enlarged pores. *Sigh* I felt like Ralphie when he asked Santa for the Red Rider BB Gun. You'll shoot your eye out, kid! HA! I was pissed.

Then, a ray of light! She tells me that she can fix me! whoo hoo. Turns out, I have too much sun damage for just microdermabrasion. SO, a chemical peel for me. Well, actually a series of 6 of them over a 12 week span. They literally burn off layers of your skin, until there is no visible sun damage, therefore reducing that enlarged pore look, clearing the melasma, and erasing all fine lines and wrinkles, that are a direct result of the sun damage. I know, sounds painful. But, God willing, it will be worth it in the end. And, to add to it, because I am a patient of the doc that her office is in, I get a 200.00 discount! EVEN BETTER. Oh, and BTW, she DID recommend Botox, for the constant wrinkle between my eyes that makes me looked pissed off ALL the time. This, also, was passed down from my dad. I think I will leave it alone for now. It is a good thing, when you are in a rage, people tend to think you are crazy and leave you alone. It has its' purpose. And, besides, I do not think I want my face stone cold.. I like being able to use my face to express things.

So, when the consult was done, I rushed to the front desk and asked for the soonest available appointment they had.

So, boys and girls, tomorrow at 3 pm, I will be getting my own 'Face Off'.

Will keep you updated on the results. Wish me luck!