How NOT to sell me a cosmetic procedure.....

I am generally dissatisfied with my skin.  I've been pondering microdermabrasion vs peels etc for a long time but never went further than buying Roc's home microdermabrasion kit with the vibrating/spinning applicator

I pretty randomly chose Skin Vitality as somewhere to try, they happened to be featured in a Groupon offering cheap Botox.  I pushed aside my other knowledge of them-their appearance in the Global News 16:9 Botox exposé (episode is Worry Lines).  In that episode they were one of the clinics where medical supervision was via Skype.  The doctor who injected my Botox (Dr Torgerson) was featured as someone who does it himself!

Anyway, I emailed and asked about prices of peels.  The reply said they started at $85 and offered a free consultation.  Why not?  I booked a midday appointment today and trotted in.

I was met by a "medical consultant".  Very friendly.  Briefly heard that I wanted to know about peels but then told me my concerns of uneven skin and fine lines around my eyes etc would be much better treated with skin tightening.  Their machine is an Elos machine which uses IPL (intense pulsed light) and radiofrequency waves apparently.   I suppose IPL is usually a big selling point but I'm a bit biased.  Wasted a pile of money on almost completely unsuccessful hair removal with IPL a few years ago.  I was bombarded with information about the technology, the features on Oprah, how it would fix my sagging skin/lines/under eye circles.  I would look 10 years younger after it.  She stated that since I'm 33, I'd look 23.  She showed me a quick PowerPoint presentation.  Interestingly, the before and after images weren't actually that dramatic.  You'd think they'd use their best cases for a presentation so it doesn't really give the impression of being fantastic.
The presentation was followed by her taking out the calculator and telling me about the promo they had. I zoned out for most of her calculations after I realised she was basing them on 6 treatments and the reduced price cost was around $2400!!

I said I wanted to think about it so she offered me a free trial of it to see what the treatment was like and meet the nurse.  She got me a slot an hour later.  I went for lunch and came back.  I was on time, they were around 25 minutes late.  The nurse, to be fair, was fantastic.  The first thing she said was "you don't need this!".  She thought peels or Fotofacial would be more appropriate.  She reckoned Fotofacial would be better for evening out colouration and tone.  She said the tightening was usually for people in their 40s and 50s but that I looked OK for 33!

She kindly did the treatment anyway just to see what it was like.  The mini test is around the eyes.  I was given protective goggles and the area was covered in gel.  She ran the handpiece over the lateral (outside) borders of my eyes.  I could see a tiny flash of light with every pulse and felt some heat each time but it wasn't painful.  Apparently full face takes approximately 40 minutes.

I had to meet another consultant then who gave me more quotes-special offer, today only etc etc.  Again, I said I wanted to think about it all.  She was very nice about it all though.  Gave me her card and said she'd be there until 8pm.

So, here are the eyes that apparently look like someone in their 40s or 50s:

I'll agree that the areas under my eyes are puffy but I think lack of sleep contributes.  I also think a bit of Restylane in my tear troughs might help more.  There are tiny lines, but I hadn't been overly concerned by the ones at the edge of my eye and I'm wary of what I'd do with the ones on my lower lid.  Danger zone!

I did a quick search on RealSelf and it comes up as ReFirme.  Opinions are mixed and certainly not worth coughing up $2500 when money is tight!

What really stopped me though?

The sales pitch.  I barely got to talk about my concerns before I was told I was basically in terrible shape and in need of major anti-aging work.   I was bombarded with information about something I hadn't even considered and felt pressurised into agreeing.  I was given the "this offer is only for today" pitch which I despise.  I've had it in gyms before and have always scurried to the door.   She promised something that she actually could never back up and that wasn't going to happen-that I would look 10 years younger.  Doubtless the estimation of my age would be based on her impressions!  I liked the nurse immensely and if I had spent most of my time with her and not felt like I had to sign up for a series of treatments, I might have considered it.  The way it was though?  No way.

In contrast, Dr Torgerson did suggest something I hadn't thought about the day I went in for my Botox injection (initial treatment).  He suggested filler in my tear troughs.  It was done completely differently though.  It was a "something you might like to think about" and he said (lied) that he was just being picky and mean.  There was no way I felt under pressure to decide that day.  At all.  I got to go home and Google etc.  (This description by Dr Ravi Jain is my favourite) I still don't have the money for it right now, but if I had I'd probably do it.  Because it's my decision and I'd feel like I had made it with all the best information and without being rushed...