Why botox is becoming a skin lift and grooming favourite among women

Although several clinics now offer these services, Dr Mahajan says one should be careful where they get it done, especially when it comes to the face. “If not done properly, the procedures can lead to problems. If the lift is not done at the right place or the fillers are improperly injected, it can lead to drooping eyelids, spooky eyebrows and deviated mouth. In some cases it can also lead to bad bruising or difficulty swallowing. Do not fall for marketing gimmicks and only go to certified doctors” he adds. It’s lack of knowledge that demonises cosmetic procedures, he feels.

However, standardisation, safety and quality of procedures over the last decade have meant that people from all walks of life are coming forward and talking about them openly. “Earlier cosmetic procedures were the forbidden fruit, now more people are choosing them. There are mainly three reasons for it – First, there is a lot of talk about procedures on social media that has normalised conversations. Second, dermatologists have done a good job of advocating safety and eliminating both fear and stigma. Third, people have dispensable money which they want to spend on looking good and grooming themselves,” says Dr Mahajan.

Botox is basically a neurotoxic protein that can freeze muscles temporarily and results in smoother skin. It is injected into over-active muscles of the face that cause the smile lines when contracting. Botox decreases the mobility of these muscles and the lines that they cause. The effects of a treatment can last between three and seven months. “Botox is an outpatient procedure with minimum to no downtime. When done by a surgical dermatologist or plastic surgeon, it can yield very aesthetic and natural-looking results. The crucial knowledge concerns how much botox is required for what tissue and for what purpose. When injected in the wrong muscle, a botox procedure can go bad. And if you keep going overboard in a certain area repeatedly, without consulting your cosmetic surgeon, then muscles at the site could naturally weaken over time. So for normal facial expressions, your body begins using other muscles on the face, making you look odd when you smile or emote. Besides, botox procedures are allowed only in certain parts of the face. If you apply the same routine elsewhere on your face or any other body part where it is not meant to, there will be adverse reactions,” explains Dr Mahajan.

The most procedures for which people – including an increasing number of men – come to Dr Mahajan are botox fillers for forehead line, crow’s feet and frown lines. A procedure called mesobotox – where diluted botox is injected to the superficial layer of skin to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles – is also becoming popular. Besides facial botox, Dr Mahajan says, many patients come in for botox to deal with excessive sweating of the hands, feet and underarms. Unknown to many, botox has medical advantages in upper limb spasticity, crossed eyes, eyelid spasms and migraine. “With more and more use of botox for various reasons, we have defined the safety parameters and evolved newer techniques. Now, we can offer good results without side effects,” he explains.

Dr Mahajan, however, cautions that those with conditions such as Myasthenia Gravis – weakness and rapid fatigue of muscles – should stay away from the procedure. Those with soya allergy should also not get it either, he said. Once it stops functioning, it is broken down into harmless amino acids and either recycled for use in other proteins or excreted naturally.

Other than botox therapies, people also come to his clinic for thread lifts to give more definition to the face and hydro facials for that dewy look. Thread lifts use sutures to tighten the skin in an out-patient procedure. Newer threads used for the procedure can also help increase collagen and elastin deposition in the areas – both are proteins that can make the skin look younger. The effects for the procedure last between eight and 12 months. A hydro-facial is a quick fix as it removes the upper dead layer of skin, hydrates it, decreases pores and tightens the skin. Its effects last for a week after which it starts waning.

Chaturvedi, who has shied away from such procedures all her life, fearing judgement by her family and society, believes there is more acceptability of such procedures and that talking about it helps others get proper care.

“A decade ago, we would just hear about celebrities getting such procedures. Now these are not only available more readily at clinics, they have also become affordable. One of my friends had undergone a nose job years ago but she would never tell anyone about it. I tell my friends about my experience, so that they learn more about the procedures that are out there and make informed choices. I wanted to be the best version of myself and if it is with the help of some minor, safe procedures, why not? I am not stopping ageing, just trying to make the most of it,” says Chaturvedi.