I had a facelift -- without surgery

The newest technology in anti-aging treatments is nonsurgical, noninvasive and (relatively) inexpensive. But does the Pan G Lift deliver on its promise of truly spectacular results? Pauline Anderson, Canadian Living Magazine's Health and Wellness editor, volunteered to find out.

My 10-year-old daughter recently informed me that I'm the oldest among all her friends' mothers. I wasn't surprised; she's my youngest child, and I wasn't one of those women having babies right out of school.

However, the comment generated a discussion in our household about whether Mommy looks her age. My 18-year-old daughter assured me that I look pretty good -- for someone as old as I am (48). My 12-year-old son, insensitive practical joker that he is, took pleasure in loudly announcing my age as our guests arrived for the evening. My husband, ever the diplomat, made himself scarce.

But it's no joke. I realized that somewhere along the line, my face had started to betray the true me. While I was feeling revitalized and refreshed as I tried to watch my diet and exercise regularly, my skin was probably succumbing to the ravages of time.

When the proprietor of the corner store started calling me "ma'am," it was the last straw. My face was saying "old lady," while I was feeling not a day over 30.

I checked in the mirror. Sure enough, a blotched, sunken face stared back. When I looked more closely, I could clearly see the telltale signs of decades-long exposure to pollutants and sunlight -- and just plain age.

It was time to take action.

Don't get me wrong -- I am not vain. When it comes to my skin, I've always been strictly a splash-and-go girl. I rarely wear makeup, and I feel lost at department store skin-care counters. There are just too many products to choose from -- all cunningly aimed at my (and your) thirst for youth and beauty.

But like many other maturing baby boomers, I think young -- and I think I act young, too. I'm beginning to experiment with vitamins, herbs and various exercise regimes. I'm probably healthier and I have more energy now than when I was in my 20s. So why shouldn't I look as young as I feel?

Well, because women, according to my friend Debra, shouldn't tamper with nature. They shouldn't be pressured into altering the basic aging process.

I reminded her that she paints her nails, wears plenty of makeup and regularly gets her hair professionally highlighted. Where, I asked her, do you draw the line between these efforts and going one anti-aging step further?

Other friends, on the other hand, are actively investigating whole-hog face-lifts -- including brow-lifts, cheek-lifts, neck-lifts and eyelid surgery.

Still, it was with mixed emotions -- a little guilt, some curiosity and a healthy dose of skepticism -- that I volunteered to be a guinea pig for Canadian Living magazine and test some of the new, quick face fixers that are now on the market. These procedures promise to be less expensive, require less time and pose fewer risks than the traditional surgical face-lift. That means you don't have to take three weeks off work and pretend upon your return that your new face is the result of a stress-free vacation.