Poet and artist Frieda Hughes has expressed a firm stance on embracing the natural ageing process, typically avoiding cosmetic enhancements or 'tweakments'. However, a specific physical concern has led her to seek medical intervention, marking a departure from her usual philosophy.
A Personal Exception to the Rule
While Hughes maintains that she is not vain about ageing and rejects procedures like lip fillers or elaborate nail art, she has drawn a line at the visible veins on her legs. These 'streams and tributaries', as she poetically describes them, have become more than she can tolerate after years of hiding them under trousers and long skirts.
The Desire to Wear Shorts Again
The driving force behind her decision is a simple yet powerful longing: to wear a pair of shorts once more, even as she acknowledges other signs of ageing such as sagging knees. This practical desire contrasts with the more common motivations for cosmetic procedures, focusing on functionality and personal comfort rather than societal beauty standards.
Choosing Sclerotherapy
Hughes has booked an appointment for sclerotherapy, a medical treatment designed to remove or fade spider veins and varicose veins. The procedure aims to 'expirate those multiple scribblings', as she puts it, restoring clarity to the skin's surface. Her enthusiasm for the treatment is palpable, though it comes with a humorous mishap—arriving early only to discover she had the wrong date, adding a light-hearted touch to the narrative.
This story underscores a nuanced perspective on ageing, where self-acceptance coexists with selective medical choices for personal well-being, all set against the backdrop of modern aesthetic options.
