Land of Eternal Beauties
Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but don’t let that stop you from snacking at the mile-long buffet table of beauty procedures that are available to camouflage the aging process and transform us into perfect specimens. Cosmetic dentistry, acupuncture and face-lifts were only a few choices on the menu recently at the Cosmetic Enhancement Expo 2005 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. We stopped in and got an eyeful.
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Jackie Tzen, 64
Art consultant
Laguna Hills
Why are you here today?
Just curious about what new things are going on in the world of beauty and anti-aging. I’m trying facial rejuvenation acupuncture. It relaxes the muscles.
What procedures have you had?
I’ve had a full facial laser, a neck lift and a lower jaw lift. I wanted to get rid of the fat and wrinkles.
What procedure would you most like to do?
I’d do anything natural without being cut. Anything having to do with the face. The body we can cover up with a bag.
What would you never do?
Liposuction. I need it, but I’m fearful of it.
What’s your best feature?
Genetically, I have good skin.
What’s your worst feature?
I’ve always had a tummy.
If you could stay young forever, what age would you be?
I’d be 50, and know what I know now. I wouldn’t want to be 20 again.
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Derrick Pham, 22
Dental hygienist
Los Angeles
Why are you here today?
I heard about it on the radio. I wanted to see how cosmetic enhancement affects people since I’m in dentistry.
What procedures have you had?
I do natural tanning at the beach, and [go to] a tanning salon in winter.
What’s your best feature?
My smile. With a smile, you can go anywhere you want to go.
What’s your worst feature?
Abdominals. I need to work out more.
What celebrity has the best cosmetic work?
Brad Pitt. When I assess his smile, it’s perfect. He probably had cosmetic veneer and orthodontic work done.
Why are people so obsessed with cosmetic enhancement?
They want to look good, especially in L.A. We live in a city filled with actors and people in the entertainment industry. In Nebraska or Wyoming, nobody cares. People live 10 miles apart.
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Gevena Clay, 48
Concierge
Inglewood
Why are you here today?
I lost a lot of weight through hypnosis, and am considering other changes. Maybe some surgery to remove some loose skin.
What procedure would you never do?
A breast implant. I’d be afraid the doctors wouldn’t be able to see problems like breast cancer with an implant.
What’s your best feature?
My eyelashes, because they’re naturally curly.
What’s your worst feature?
I wish I had less in the hips. In the 1950s, women had hips, but now they want women to have small waists, slim hips and big butts.
What procedure is the silliest?
Buttock implants. How do you recover if you have to sit a lot at work? God bless a woman if she feels she needs that. I don’t have that problem.
What celebrity has the best cosmetic work?
Phyllis Diller, because she looks like herself. I also like Cher, but I don’t like her lips. They’re too full for her face.
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Mark Kress, 60
President of a hair product company
Westport, Conn.
Why are you here today?
I’m here on vacation and business. I came to learn about hair issues and to check out the latest things.
What procedures have you had?
I’ve had hair transplants, my nose done and porcelain veneers.
What would you never do?
A face-lift, because they’re really invasive and turn out better for women than for men.
What’s your best feature?
My wit.
What’s your worst feature?
My chin. It’s a little weak.
What celebrity has the worst cosmetic work?
Joan Rivers just doesn’t look natural.
Why is cosmetic enhancement so big in L.A.?
There’s always been a greater emphasis on youth, appearance, image and ego here. There’s a greater reluctance to accept the aging process and an openness to aggressive procedures.
