Let’s be real for a second. If most of us woke up at 71 looking like Christie Brinkley, we’d assume we’d died and gone to some very specific, high-fashion heaven. She’s been the face of "agelessness" for so long that it’s almost a meme at this point. But every time she posts a selfie on Instagram, the comments section turns into a forensic lab. People are zooming in, hunting for scars, and debating Christie Brinkley plastic surgery before and after shots like they’re solving a cold case.
So, did she or didn't she? Honestly, the answer isn't a simple "yes" or "no" because Christie has actually been surprisingly chatty about what she does to stay looking like a literal ray of sunshine.
The "Never Say Never" Shift
Back in her 40s, Christie was that person who said she’d never go under the knife. Fast forward to her 71st year in 2025, and she’s singing a slightly different tune. She hasn't had a full-blown "wind tunnel" facelift—you know the look—but she’s definitely not relying on just "drinking water and getting eight hours of sleep."
In her recent 2025 memoir, Uptown Girl, she basically admits that "never say never" became her mantra once the gravity of her 60s kicked in. She’s been very open about the fact that she visits her dermatologist in the city regularly. It’s not about a total transformation for her. It’s about maintenance.
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What’s Actually in the "Before and After" Mix?
If you look at photos of Christie from the 1980s versus now, the structure is the same. That’s the hallmark of good work—or just great genes. But there are a few specific things she’s fessed up to over the years.
1. The Xeomin and Filler Situation
Christie has been the face of Xeomin, which is basically a "naked" version of Botox. It doesn't have the extra proteins, so some people feel it looks more natural. She’s used it on those "11" lines between the eyebrows.
As for fillers? She’s "dabbled." Her words, not mine. She’s used small amounts of dermal fillers to fix an indentation on her forehead from a playground accident and to soften the marionette lines around her mouth. The key here is "small amounts." She’s spoken out against the "flat face" look that happens when people overfill.
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2. Ultherapy: The Heavy Lifter
This is the one she swears by for the neck and jawline. Ultherapy uses ultrasound technology to kickstart collagen production. It’s not surgery, but it’s not a spa facial either. It hurts a bit, but for Christie, it seems to be the secret to why her neck doesn't match the typical 70-year-old profile.
3. Lasers and the Health Connection
Lately, her "plastic surgery" journey took a more serious turn. In 2024, she revealed a pretty gnarly scar on her temple from surgery to remove basal cell carcinoma (skin cancer). She actually posted the "before" and "after" of the stitches, which looked like "haute couture Dior," according to her.
Because of this, she’s become a massive fan of the Fraxel laser. It resurfaces the skin and helps get rid of pre-cancerous cells. So, while it makes her skin look like a polished pearl, she’s doing it primarily for health reasons.
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The Misconceptions People Love to Spread
You’ll see tabloids claiming she’s had a $60,000 "mother-daughter" plastic surgery spree with Alexa Ray Joel. While there was a lot of buzz about a potential mini-facelift around 2010, Christie has stayed firm on the "non-invasive" path for the most part.
The biggest thing people get wrong is thinking she’s trying to look 25. She isn't. She’s got crow's feet. She’s got wrinkles when she smiles. She just looks like a very, very well-rested version of herself.
Why the Christie Brinkley Look Works
It’s not just the doctor. It’s the lifestyle. You can’t ignore that she’s been a vegetarian since she was 13. She’s an "aspiring vegan" who occasionally eats mozzarella because, let’s be honest, life without cheese is barely life.
She also exfoliates every single morning. She claims she started doing it because she read that men look younger because they shave (and thus exfoliate) every day. It’s those little, consistent habits mixed with high-tech dermatology that create the "after" we all see.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Own Journey:
- Prioritize Texture Over Tightness: Don't chase every wrinkle. Focus on skin quality via lasers (like Fraxel or Clear + Brilliant) rather than just pulling everything tight.
- The Neck is the Giveaway: If you’re looking at treatments, Christie’s results suggest that addressing the neck and jawline with things like Ultherapy provides a more "ageless" look than just fixing the face.
- SPF is Non-Negotiable: She literally had a hole in her head from skin cancer. Use the cream.
- Micro-Dosing Fillers: If you’re going to use fillers, go for "imperceptible" amounts. The goal is to fill indentations, not to change your facial structure.
Christie’s "before and after" isn't a story of a woman trying to hide from time. It’s more like a woman using every tool in the modern shed to make sure she still recognizes herself in the mirror. It's about feeling "current," as she puts it. Whether that involves a needle or a laser, she’s owned it, and that’s probably why we’re all still obsessed with her seven decades in.