But I'd recently been promoted to Driven's motoring editor for the NZ Herald, so my photo is taken often for car review stories, I have increased public appearances and next year I'll be fronting car video reviews for the soon to be launched website driven.co.nz.
In the past, I've had to beg Driven's photographer to photoshop the lines on my face in photographs - but video won't hide anything and I can't be the female version Top Gear's The Stig and wear a helmet on camera.
I've been to beauty clinics in the past, but I've had a few too many hard sells on products ("if you're going to have so-and-so done then you need to do this, plus buy this $500 face cream" type situations). So I've been reluctant to go back.
Plus there was the appeal of Skin Plus being situated in a pharmacy - as there is the underlining medical assurance.
Skin Plus owner Cathy came up with the idea two years ago about having cosmetic procedures readily available, and found a partner in the pharmacy chain.
"I was working as a nurse trainer for one of New Zealand's largest appearance medicine clinics and women would approach me in a social setting outside of work and want to know all about Botox," she told me.
"I'm passionate about how these treatments can affect a women's look and confidence but I realised when few people would take up my offer in the clinic that it was the fear of feeling pressured, and not wanting a sales pitch."
So I wasn't alone with that feeling of tough sell.
Launched a year ago at St Lukes and in Remuera, Cathy will be opening another clinic in Newmarket, plus had plans for a Skin Plus in Albany.
Cathy studied overseas trends and noticed an increase in the US of cosmetic procedures being available in shopping malls.
But she was also determined that treatments couldn't be an impulse buy during a lunch hour shopping trip so new clients had to book an initial consultation.
Held in a small, private room near the back of the pharmacy, affable Cathy asked what my concerns where. After an examination of my face, she suggested Juvederm dermal fillers - an injectable gel made from hyaluronic acid that gives your skin volume and hydration.
She suggested two syringes of Juvederm (at around $680 per syringe) but the treatment would last at least 12 months.
"Our price is competitive but that wasn't our motivating factor. Convenience seems to be a big plus from feedback we are getting, plus great clinic hours," she told me.
Happy with the treatment plan I made another appointment to see her ASAP, as I had an important event in a week's time where I'd be photographed - with no photoshop available!
With a medical history questionnaire and approval form filled in, Cathy had me recline on her treatment table, hand me a stress ball and pulled out syringe number one.
Closing my eyes, breathing slowly and having the stress ball on the ready, the pain of the first needle was less painful than a dentist's jab.
Cathy worked on the lines below my mouth and at the top of my chin, massaging the spot after each application.
With two syringes down, she sat me up, handed me a mirror and asked my opinion.
The result was instant. The frown lines were gone and I reckon three years were knocked off my appearance too!
A dull ache started immediately after the injections and the treatment area was so red I needed to add mineral makeup to the area before I could return to work.
Although the dermal filler was formulated with a local anesthetic, within two hours it had worn off. There was a dull pain in the treatment area and I could feel the lumps - side effects Cathy said may happen.
By the time I arrived home, six hours after the treatment, the area was swollen and the injection areas felt like large hard (and sore) pimples.
Within 24 hours the ache had gone, the area was still slightly swollen (as if I had dental work), and the lumps decreasing.
Cathy said it may take a week for the swelling and lumps to reside - just in time for my public event on Thursday.
• We'll catch up with Liz Dobson on Thursday to see the effect of the treatment.
