Stop The Aging Clock At 30

In a three-part series entitled, "A Stitch In Time," The Early Show takes a look at the best plastic surgery procedures available for women as they age. Women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, who have used some form of plastic surgery to slow down the aging process, share their stories.

Susie DeRubertis is 37 and had her first non-invasive, Botox and Restylane/collegen, procedure on Sept. 26.

A week later, she is pleased with her new look, "People have noticed," she says to co-anchor Hannah Storm. "They've commented that I look a lot better. A few friends used the word radiant. I like that compliment."

The working wife and mom says she didn't look as young as she felt. The latest wrinkles and lines on her face were constant reminders that's she's getting older.

"I work with people who are about 10 years younger than I am," she notes. "I just started feeling it and noticing it from different comments that they would make. They started believing that I was 37."

But what really made her decide to go through the procedure was the angry look the lines between her eyebrows gave her face, she says.

New York City plastic surgeon Mia Talmor says most of her younger patients don't think they look "old," but definitely think they could look better.

"I think the vast majority of patients who first come to me have had their first child or few children. They feel tired all the time. And they're really just looking for a pick-me-up," she says. "Women in this demographic are really working very aggressively within their careers and also working aggressively with young families, so it takes its toll. And I think people feel tired."

But Dr. Talmor notes some of her patients are even younger than DeRubertis.

"Patients come to me in their 20s, who are concerned with the lines, for example, between their eyebrows. That's not uncommon," Dr. Talmor says.

But if you want to push the aging process on your own, there are things you can do. "I think even for women in their 20s, avoidance of sun exposure and avoidance of smoking are the two most important things that people need to think about because that would really push the clock backward, particularly when you get into your 40s and 50s," Dr. Talmor says.

Using moisturizers to maintain the skin is "Extremely important. Women in their 40s can start on prescription and non-prescription things that help," As for dermabrasion, she says, it's popular but really doesn't have the kind of impact that something like a Restylane or Botox procedure has.

When The Early Show caught up with DeRubertis recently, she was scheduled to have her first non-invasive procedure.

"I'm going to have the Botox in the forehead," she says, "A little bit of Restylane to fill in, I think, the deeper lines. And then also some collagen to fill in my lips a little bit."

DeRubertis was in and out in less than two hours. Dr. Talmor explained, "The effect of the Botox is not seen for two to three days. The impact of the Restylane and collagen are seen right away. She'll see that when she goes home tonight."

The procedure was "a little bit painful," DeRubertis says, but it has no side effects. As for the cost? "It ranges from $500 to $2,000 depending on the combination of procedures you choose," Dr. Talmor says.

And patients will have to come back to maintain their look. "Botox generally lasts three to four months but when we do a total facial rejuvenation, I recommend patients come twice a year," Dr. Talmor says.

So does that mean DeRubertis is going to have to spend a lot of money and do procedures down the road?

"No," she answers. "I think my bank account will probably keep me in check."

She also says she told her co-workers about her procedure. "I came clean about what I had done, because I wanted to let them know," she says.