Orange County Register

Reader survey: Sarah Palin and Botox — should she tell?

Photos: Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin during the Republican National Convention on Sept. 3. (AP photo)

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

As an attractive newcomer on the national scene, Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin, 44, is an obvious target for celebrity watchers’ speculation about whether she has used the tools of cosmetic medicine to maintain her youthful appearance.

The early verdict:

• She may have had Botox injections or other minimally invasive cosmetic work.
• No one thinks she’s had plastic surgery.

This overview from Stars Plastic Surgery is typical:

We don’t think that she has gotten any mayor plastic surgery procedure like a face lift or an eye job. Although her pictures for magazines and the public in general could be somehow enhanced, her image is very good for her age.

Palin most probably got some non-invasive procedures such as Botox injections. She may have  also had some fillers and skin treatments like a chemical peel, with this she could help her skin to look healthy and young, maintaining wrinkles and expression lines aside.

About the only disagreement with that position comes from columnist Howie Carr at the Boston Herald, who claims, “She’s never had a Botox injection,” and says that’s a reason that older female journalists dislike her.

Others, such as the Make Me Heal cosmetic-medicine site, believe that cosmetic injections underlie Palin’s appeal:

Sarah Palin has likely gotten Botox injections on her forehead, as well as fillers like Restylane on her crows’ feet to keep herself looking youthful.

Moreover, it is possible that she has gotten some fillers to plump up her cheeks like Juvederm or Restylane, or quite even possibly a more permanent filler like Radiesse. …

It is quite possible that Sarah Palin has gotten laser skin resurfacing like Fraxel or Active Fx to keep her skin youthful.

Finally, Sarah’s pearly white teeth are the result of tooth whitening and strategically placed veneers.

But plastic surgery? No, says Make Me Heal:

As for going under the knife, we suspect that Palin has not had any invasive procedures like a face lift or blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) and her nose is natural.

While her breasts appear perky, it is difficult to tell if she has gotten a breast lift after having five children. For now, this is inconclusive.

Plastic surgeon / blogger Dr. Tony Youn agrees:

If she’s had work done it’s probably something minor like Botox in her forehead, skin rejuvenation lasers or peels, and maybe some teeth whitening.

Overall, she looks pretty naturally youthful to me. I guess standing next to John McCain, nearly anyone would look young!

Related links about politicians:

• Sarah Palin and Botox — should she tell?
• Cosmetic docs tell how to fix John McCain’s face
• Doctors propose more work on Hillary Clinton’s 60-year-old face
• Plastic surgery iffy for Obama
• Doubts about Hillary Clinton wrinkle-fighting tactic

Other related links:

• New ideal — baby fat for middle-aged women. Really?
• Sharon Stone blows off detractors, plans no plastic surgery
• Botox gaining ground as career-booster, readers say
• As the economy slows, Botox popularity grows
• As the economy slows, are you more or less likely to Botox yourself?
• Has Botox helped Rachel Zoe?
• Do people discriminate because of how you look?
• Therapeutic Botox led to four deaths, says lawsuit

For more on celebrities and cosmetic medicine, see links on the right side of this blog.

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