A journalist recounts a surprising encounter in Dubai that prompted reflection on her decision to stop getting Botox and cosmetic procedures, and the pressures surrounding aging and appearance.

An Unexpected Encounter in Dubai

Picture the scene: a charity lunch at a glitzy Italian restaurant in Dubai. While speaking with an elderly Asian electronics tycoon who was dining alone, the journalist decided to engage in a playful age guessing game, feeling confident in her appearance at 65. She asked him, “How old do you think I am? And, please, be honest!”

The tycoon scrutinized her, narrowing his eyes and tilting his head before responding, “I don’t know… early 70s?” Initially, she wondered if he was teasing her, but he was entirely serious. In Dubai, where cosmetic procedures are common among expat women over 30, she likely appears older than her actual age.

Reflecting on a Past of 'Tweakments'

The comment stung, prompting the journalist to question her decision almost two years prior to abandon Botox, collagen injections, and other cosmetic treatments. As a journalist for 35 years, much of it spent in New York, she had experienced a considerable amount of aesthetic “tweakments” – a term she dislikes.

She details having tried microneedling, laser therapy, light therapy, polynucleotides (injectable salmon DNA), dermal fillers, and hyaluronic acid. Botox, however, had been her most consistent treatment, administered to her forehead, neck, and even the tip of her nose every five months since turning 50.

The Turning Point

Two years ago, at 63, she resolved to stop. She’d reached a point where enough was enough, no longer wanting to alter the face she was born with. Beyond the pain, cost, and time commitment, she questioned where the pursuit of cosmetic alterations would ultimately lead.

The Risks of Overdoing It

The journalist points to examples of celebrities like Sharon Osbourne (73), Donatella Versace (70), and Lauren Sanchez Bezos (56), as well as Madonna (67), whose appearance at Coachella was strikingly artificial. She also references unsettling recent photos of the original *Charlie’s Angels* – Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith, and Cheryl Ladd.

Kate Jackson’s expression, in particular, was concerning, with flawlessly smooth skin but rearranged features, resembling a meticulously preserved corpse as depicted in Evelyn Waugh’s *The Loved One*. This illustrated the “slippery slope” of cosmetic treatments and reinforced her decision to stop.

Embracing Natural Aging

The journalist acknowledges that starting cosmetic interventions earlier might have prolonged a youthful appearance, referencing the trend of “prejuvenation” – preventative Botox. However, she believes that ultimately, biology cannot be cheated, and acceptance is necessary.

She argues that our 60s should be a time for introspection and contemplation, and that prioritizing health and happiness over a youthful appearance is crucial. She admires the French women of Paris, who seem to embrace aging with grace and authenticity.

A Lesson Learned

Her experience in Dubai highlighted the pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards. She is relieved to have chosen a path of natural aging and self-acceptance, recognizing that if one isn’t seeking a romantic partner or planning to have children, looking young matters less.