In my 30-year career in magazines, the idea of ageing and how to fight it has taken up more and more of my time.
I have road-tested myriad treatments from the sublime to the ridiculous, and I rate their success by when my colleagues say I look well.
![I have road-tested myriad treatments from the sublime to the ridiculous.](/web/20170513222453im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/0/b/a/v/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gv4ew1.png/1490473485767.jpg)
Giving it some lip
One of my first encounters with more intrusive techniques was injectable filler in my lips. I have a tendency to bruise easily, and this time was no exception – I looked like Salvador Dali, complete with moustache, as the bruising migrated up towards my nose. It was the early 2000s and Australian Fashion Week was in full swing. I convinced myself that no one would notice. That was not the case.
![Stephanie Darling.](/web/20170513222453im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/4/e/j/m/image.related.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.gv4ew1.png/1490473485767.jpg)
Since then, I have had my lips topped up every couple of years, and techniques and products have improved vastly, especially the softer filler Juvéderm. The smooth gel fills in lip lines and wrinkles while the hyaluronic acid attracts and maintains moisture levels, which helps with the incessant chapping I suffer from. Initially there is always some swelling and a bit of a duckbill, but after a couple of weeks this settles completely to create a lipstick-worthy pout.
DIY skin farm
I was also one of the first guinea pigs to trial Isolagen in Australia – a very clever concept that generates your own bank of collagen-producing cells. A small section of undamaged skin, protected from sun exposure, was harvested from behind my ear. These cells were then stimulated for six weeks to create fibroblasts (the cells that produce collagen) and reinjected into my wrinkles, including my naso-labial lines.
That was 20 years ago and now – I have just checked in the mirror – I don't have those lines. Of course, that may be because of the 199 other treatments I have had since! Having your own personalised filler material is a great idea, but Isolagen didn't go the distance here.
Back for more
Sometimes the simplest treatments are the best. I have always had a fear that my back could be harbouring unwanted blemishes, but how do you know and how do you get to them? The answer is a back treatment with a skincare magician like Sue Dann, who uses the cult product Dr Spiller in her "back facial".
This treatment includes cleansing, steam, exfoliation with an enzyme peel, extractions and massage with a collagen lotion, and a declogging and anti-ageing mask, and afterwards my back feels clean as a whistle. This is a great treatment to have prior to summer exposure.
Under the lash
I have become addicted to eyelash extensions and they have revolutionised my make-up application. Having lush, defined lashes, along with whitened teeth, are two of the best anti-ageing treatments I know. After a fresh set of lashes, I've even been known to apply just foundation and lip colour and that's it!
When you sign up, lash application takes roughly an hour and a half. Extensions come in all shapes, sizes, thickness and material (silk, mink and human hair), from 8 to 15 millimetres. The latest update is 3D volume lashes, which are three silk lashes applied with a specialised glue to each natural lash.
The daily grind
Another find that has two-in-one appeal is Botox aimed at preventing teeth clenching and grinding. I've been a clencher since I was 12, and wear a dental splint at night to protect my teeth. When I get this treatment, Dr Joseph Hkeik injects Botox into the bulk of the masseter muscles to weaken them and reduce grinding and clenching.
This relieves teeth abrasion, muscle pain and tension headaches, and also softens the angle of the jaw and sculpts cheekbones. After a week the muscles relax, and while chewing can be a little weird initially, you soon adjust. After six weeks my jawline has softened and you can cut glass with my cheekbones. The results last six to 12 months.
New Age anti-ager
Some natural therapies have worked wonders for me, including a facial with natural therapist Fumi Yamamoto. Fumi's treatments combine facial reflexology, acupressure point massage, facial yoga and meditation, and her mission is to get skin glowing and balanced by getting rid of toxins and delivering more nutrients to the cells through lymphatic drainage.
She worked from my feet up to my head, including a heavy-duty skull workout, paying special attention to the stress locked in my face, neck and those problem shoulders using muscle-release techniques and essential oils. Ninety minutes later, my jawline and cheekbones looked more defined and I seemed to be standing taller. This is great for puffiness from jet lag.
Aye eye!
I love having my eyebrows shaped and dyed, as they really do frame up the face, but I am crap at maintaining them. So the fail-safe solution is brow tattooing, which lasts around 12 months, with brow expert Amy Jean Linnehan.
The process involves anaesthetic cream on my brows for an hour, followed by Amy Jean working an etching pen with seven sharpened tips over my brows, weaving fine, hair-like strokes between the existing hairs. There are four sweeps over each brow, punctuated with application of the hypoallergenic pigment. The sensation is of sharp scratching, which is a little uncomfortable. A strange thing I've discovered is that my left brow is more sensitive than the right.
My brows end up looking very dark and defined, with a perfectly shaped arch, before fading and settling into a very natural shade. I had to keep them dry for the first five days when showering to stop the water diluting the dye, and also had to keep them out of the direct sun for the first week.
Who nose?
As I age, the barely noticeable capillaries on my nose have decided to take centre stage, so addressing them has become crucial. Dr Deborah Davies' skill in wielding the sclerotherapy needle to combat leg veins is legendary, so I went to see her about my nose. She works wonders with the yellow light delivered by the powerful photo-regeneration Candela Vbeam Laser, combining it with 20 per cent saline solution injections. The saline injections initially weaken the veins and the yellow light from the Vbeam laser then targets the red blood vessels to finish them off.
On the day, I sucked on some nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for a little light relief as Deborah worked her magic. The laser stung a little and the injections were quite intense, as the nose area is very sensitive. Ice was then applied to calm the area post-treatment. Afterwards, I could see that most of the capillaries had gone, but there was one troublesome one still hanging in there so I have booked a follow-up zap. Maintenance, maintenance.
Get a boost
I am always on the lookout for boosting treatments, and facialist Melanie Grant is famous for hers. It entails a deep cleanse and a diamond microdermabrasion that deeply exfoliates, polishes and buffs skin. Next step is a corrective hydrating booster and then infrared Omnilux Revive light therapy, which works to help reduce fine lines, boost collagen and improve skin texture.
The finishing touch is a moisturiser with sunscreen. If you have a big event to attend, it's best to have this one hour treatment 24 hours beforehand, to give your skin time to settle.
Losing the thread
Another big hit on the beauty radar was when I had my first facial threading session – the ancient hair removal technique that originated in the Middle East. After cleansing, antibacterial organic cotton thread is used to remove any facial hair. Post-treatment, the circulation of blood to the face is increased, which can cause redness for 24 hours and a few little bumps, but my skin felt the softest and smoothest it had ever been.
The threading not only removes downy hair but also acts as an exfoliator and helps stimulate collagen production. The following day, my face looked radiant, moisturiser glided on like a dream and my foundation looked flawless.
Horsing around
Perhaps the most unique treatment I have tried is equine therapy at Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat on the Gold Coast, a process which involves a psychotherapist and four horses. It is best to do this treatment midway through your stay, so you can readjust and spoil yourself with luxurious spa treatments.
On entering the paddock, you choose the horse you feel the strongest connection with and tell it your innermost feelings. My initial choice of horse was a disaster: he actually tried to bite me. Rejection – even more to worry about. The therapist then moved me on to an endearing horse called Jack, who I latched on to, sobbing into his neck.
The outpouring of emotion was really overwhelming and I felt completely drained, yet oddly euphoric. What stuck with me was the reminder that you can get this enduring love from your own loyal pets.
Edited extract from Secrets of a Beauty Queen by Stephanie Darling (Viking), published on April 3