Botox... swap stories with your mates
Is botox still a taboo? Not if Dr. Sach Mohan is to be believed. The charismatic clinical director at celebrity-fave Renew Medica says that fewer people regard the wrinkle-busting treatment as something to be carried out in secret. Nowadays, he insists, they tell their friends and swap notes on procedures.Not entirely convinced, I haven't told anyone of my appointment. I'm here to try Vistabel, one of a range of products that contain the protein toxin produced by the Clostridium Botulinum bacteria - in other words - Botox. I'm not middle-aged, I'm not even thirty yet. I'm one of a growing number of women (and men) who are using Botox as a preventative treatment as well as an appearance enhancer. I'm hoping that the treatment will not only get rid of fine lines around my eyes and forehead, I'm hoping that by restricting movement of the skin I'll be protecting it against further damage (or 'dynamic lines' as they are called in the trade).
An appreciated but little known fact about Vistabel® is that it was first Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved and used for injection into the delicate eye muscle of patients with crossed eyes. It has been used since 1989 to treat a range of conditions, from cerebral palsy to excessive perspiration. Indeed, Dr Mohan let slip that many high-powered businessmen use botox injections to control sweaty palms. And while they're in, they may as well tidy up the forehead...
Dr Mohan asks me to frown, smile and look surprised, so he can gauge where I need the injections. I'm not surprised to learn I'll be having treatment on my crows feet and frown lines across the forehead and between the eyebrows. I lie back on the couch and prepare for pain.
To my surprise, there is none. The mini injections are pretty much painless (unless you're terribly squeamish about needles) and take just minutes to complete. In fact, the entire treatment (including consultation) takes around 15-20 minutes.
I can see in the mirror that a few tiny marks have appeared at the point of injection, but this is no more than a tiny midge bite or little spot and certainly nothing that anyone could notice on the train home.
Dr Mohan tells me it will be up to two weeks before I can see the full effect of the treatment, and as an afterthought throws in "I raised your eyebrows just a tiny bit as well". Bonus!
It's now two weeks later and I am a botox babe. My crows feet have almost disappeared and smiling no longer results in a mass of creases from eye to hairline. My forehead, having felt frozen for a week or so, now feels entirely normal, despite being completely unlined when I laugh, look surprised or even when I frown. I look younger, although it's difficult to gauge how much. I also know that I'm limiting the damage that excessive movement can do to my skin.
I'm told the effects will last between 3-5 months and the more frequently you have Botox treatments, the longer the effects will last each time. I'm saving up my pennies now for the next instalment.
And have I spilled the beans? Of course not! It's still my little secret...
About Dr Sach Mohan
Originally trained in Orthopaedics and Trauma, Sach soon found himself applying his skills privately within Aviation and Sports Medicine. In 2003, at the request of a patient, he undertook training in Aesthetics and within a short period of time he built a loyal client base of international clients, treating them from his Middlesex Clinics.In the beginning of 2007, Sach was then invited to become part of the Renew Medica professional team and with his skills as an industry observer and strategist, he has assisted the organisation's expansion as the UK's leading chain of cosmetic and beauty procedure clinics.
His team specialises in using a combination of injectable techniques, prescriptive skin products and lasers to provide a tailored solution for each patient to restore not only their appearance, but the health of their skin too.
For a list of treatments and prices, contact Renew Medica on freephone 0800 027 2029.
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