What is Botox and are there many types?
‘Botox’is a brand name for the Botulinum toxin type A produced by Allergan. So it is a trade name. Medically such toxins are called neurotoxins or more specifically Botulinum toxin. There are different brands. In my practice I use Botox and Dysport.
What kind of people do you perform it on? Just women? What ages?
It is not exclusive for women in fact my first patient was a male! The age range is generally in the forties when facial ageing starts and the wrinkles begin to show. But I have had women in their thirties also come for it especially if there is a genetic or habitual or “stress”related tendency to overuse the frown muscles. Botox eliminates the dynamic lines produced by muscle action and over a period of time permanently softens them. It has to be repeated every 4-6 months. If used properly it does not leave you with a mask face.
Are you seeing a big rise in its popularity here in Dubai?
Certainly. In addition to the above factors, I think the bright sun also makes people overuse their eyelid and eyebrow muscles, which over a period of time causes permanent wrinkles to appear between the brows, at the outer corners of the eye and root of the nose. Sun exposure also leads to skin damage, which further contributes to wrinkles.
Do you offer it on other parts of your body, for example your armpits? Is that common?
Uncommon but something very useful to reduce troublesome B.O and under arm sweating not controlled by simple measures. It is very effective. We have used it to control sweaty palms;I also use it for making minor changes to the smile contour, to minimise the vertical groves on the upper lip [where lipstick runs – the smokers lines], to soften the grooves by the nose and for platysma lines under the chin. It can be used to give a modest lift to the eyebrows something women are ecstatic about. Medical uses of course are many, including cure of muscle spasms and painful anal fissures!
What are the possible side effects
Very few if correctly used, most are due to migration of the drug to other non-targeted muscles. Some report a mild headache, temporary bruising is likely and asymmetrical results are possible. The latter can be corrected by a touch-up after one week. “Surprised”look is possible but again this can be prevented by customising the technique. One has to identify the “problem”muscles in each person and adapt the technique.