Friday, February 26, 2010

Branded


No, I have not been branded a Scarlet Woman. Far from it. Not my thing.

But I have been branded. Literally.

I’m at that age when a woman glances in the mirror with a mixture of fascination and curiosity (and, okay, a hint of dismay) while observing life’s etchings upon her face.

And while I have no intention of pursuing any drastic measures to rid myself of this artwork, neither did I have any intention of contributing to it with my own hand.

But I did.

I burned my face with a curling iron. (Yes, I occasionally use hairstyling paraphernalia although my method of choice is wash and wear.) I’m now sporting a patch of brownish-pinkish skin just below my left cheekbone to complement my rosy red cheeks. Lovely.

And it’s the strangest thing. While I do hope the mark eventually disappears, I’m really not at all perturbed by the thought it might not. I wonder why?

Do I feel that as well as revealing my character through laugh and frown lines I should also display stupid lines?

Or have I finally come to that point in life where I just don’t give a damn as to the natural or self-inflicted wear and tear associated with my face and body?

Perhaps a bit of both. However, I do plan on being more alert and careful when using potential branding instruments. I shudder to think what I might do with hot electric rollers.



Photo credit: www.brandish.com

16 comments:

Bee said...

Oh, ouch. Might you consider velcro rollers? Much kinder all around . . .

Cid said...

I know what you mean about seeing yourself differently. I suppose that means we are maturing. But just to be safe stay away from flat irons too.

Sherry said...

Those curling irons burns HURT...I've done it too (though not on my face--back of the neck, forehead...) and "branded" is the perfect way to describe it.

I think we are at that point in life Beth where things happen and we aren't as conscious of what others might think...or even if we are, we don't give a rats backside!!

xoxox and I hope you put something on that to help the burn heal!

Deidra said...

I've done that. Repeatedly. Ouch! If you decide you'd like to help "erase" the burn, try applying a bit of Vitamin E.

Lainey-Paney said...

I've burned myself with a hot curling iron many a time.
Nothing on the face compares to the time I plopped down on the floor to sit & apply my making in our dance team dressing room---and I accidentally sat down on a hot curling iron. You want to talk about leaving a mark! That was the worst!

I ditto the other comments about applying Vitamin E once the scab forms.

Angie Muresan said...

Oh I know what you mean. A few years ago I cut my lip while holding my water glass with my teeth as my hands were occupied with other things. The glass broke and cut my lip. There is a faint trace even now.

Anonymous said...

I have done the same thing, over the years. It hurts, but that red mark does seem to stick around. Good for you just rolling with it (no pun intended) and not letting it ruin your day. I love being at this place where I am comfortable in my skin and don't really care what others think. Good for you! I wish I could get my teen, Christie to that place, if she has one tiny pimple, she doesn't want to leave the house. How I wish I could get her to see what I know now....
I would rub some antibiotic cream or vitamin E on it, at night, to help with the healing.

By the way, we had 2 snow days in a row. Life is good.
XXXXXXX

oreneta said...

oy! That must have hurt something fierce!

Careful careful careful!

nursemyra said...

Ouch - hope the pain was minimal Beth

laughingwolf said...

could have burned your eye, beth :(

Cipriano said...

The mark will go away, so you will be OK Beth.
But the other day I severely bonked my head on a jagged edge of a steel table at work, and I just kept on going..... later, way later I looked in the mirror, and this mark is BAD. It will scar. A vertical slash right in the center of my forehead.
I better stay clear of curling irons!

Anonymous said...

Ouch! I guess straight hair are safer, eh!

Last time I had a mark on my face is was some dye I used for my hair. It got on my ears, couldn't get rid of it!

Gorilla Bananas said...

If it doesn't go away, just burn the other side of your face in the same place. Symmetry always looks good.

Charlotta-love said...

I burned my neck once while trying to curl my hair. My friends all wanted to know who gave me the hicky. I think they were disappointed that the story only included a curling iron.

Cheryl said...

That's one of the upsides of growing older, self acceptance. I do that a lot with my straight iron, btw. Now if only I could stop caring whether or not my hair was straight. Not any time soon, I fear.

Mike Minzes said...

I hope you are alright, Beth. I'll beat up that nasty ol curling iron of you need me too!