Christie Brinkley's youthful looks are a testament to her healthy lifestyle and skincare regimen, but the model, 63, admits that she's gotten some help from two non-invasive, non-surgical anti-aging procedures: Xeomin for her frown lines and Ultherapy for her neck and chest.
Brinkley aimed "never to look different" when taking up the procedures (her face has been known for decades, after all). "But I’m almost 64," she explained to People. "At a certain point, you might need a little something extra. When I look in the mirror, I want to feel like I look as good as I feel. And if you can have something done to feel more confident and better about yourself, then you feel like your face matches your spirit—and my spirit is enthusiastic and energetic."
The idea of exposing her cosmetic history didn't bother her, either. "I wondered if people would think I’m phony and fake," she said. "But it’s better to be honest and say, 'Yeah, this is what I do.'"
Brinkley joins other stars like Kelly Rowland, Lisa Kudrow, and Ariel Winter, who've openly disclosed their cosmetic treatments, slowly challenging the stigmas against going under the needle—or the knife. Brinkley's procedures didn't require surgery, however.
The first was Xeomin, an injectable that uses "purified toxins" to reduce the appearance of lines between the eyebrows, according to Brinkley's dermatologist. Consider it an alternative to Botox. One treatment costs $300-$500 and can last up to four months.
Though the model was "so afraid" to try Xeomin at first, she's glad she can still raise her brows and make funny faces. "It was like a non-invasive pick-me-up," she said.
The second procedure was Ultherapy, an FDA-approved method that uses ultrasound technology to trigger collagen and elastin production, which lifts the skin, thus eliminating wrinkles and lines. After seeing Kathy Lee Gifford give a demonstration on the Today show, Brinkley was sold. She used it on her chest and plans to get it every 18 months, People reports.
Brinkley's openness is a big step towards battling the stigma against cosmetic procedures, but she knows that not everyone will support her decision. "There are always going to be the people who build themselves up by pulling you down," she added. But then there are the women who are supporting women. And if there are little things that I can do that are going to make me feel great, make me look good for my job and that would be selfish of me not to share it.
The model noted that even her two daughters, Alexa Ray Joel, 31, and Sailor Brinkley Cook, 19, encouraged her to speak out if she thought "it would be helpful to others."
Erica Gonzales is the Senior Culture Editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage on TV, movies, music, books, and more. She was previously an editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com. There is a 75 percent chance she's listening to Lorde right now.
