Beauty tips - Get a quickie!

Get a quickie!:

Here are a few quick lunch-time procedures that can make you look good says Dr Mohan Thomas, Cosmetic Surgeon.

With the stress of everyday life and the limited time available for today's working women — they notice the deepening folds between their brows and the sagging cheeks that once were plump only when it is too late.

However, no need to worry anymore because with technological and biological advancements, quick, lunch-time procedures are very much in vogue. These procedures are slightly more than a beauty-spa and much less than going under the scalpel. The major advantage of these procedures is that they have absolutely no downtime whatsoever, easy availability and are a significantly less burden on an already worked up wallet as compared to the surgical options. Nonetheless, these are quick fixes only and need to be repeated unlike surgery. So, with a minimal time and intervention on the your part the result that can be achieved with these procedures is a good bargain.

So we take a goal oriented approach to the quick fixes available in the beauty market.

AIM:

Relax wrinkles on upper face and neck

FIX: BTX-A

BTX-A or botulinum toxin is the purified toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium Botuli. It works by selectively relaxing muscles that contribute to frown lines and certain other facial wrinkles. Though commonly mistaken that this world's most potent toxin has serious side effects, it really is very safe and time tested. All that is needed on your part is to take these injections from a trained and qualified person. Maximal effect is visible in two days, but the change is appreciable as you walk out of the clinic. No anesthesia is required and the pain felt is just a pinprick for a second.

BTX-A makes you look younger and more relaxed — not frozen and expressionless as is the common misconception. BTX-A is best for wrinkles that form as a direct result of muscle contraction. Frown lines and crow's-feet are the best examples. With continued use, these wrinkles soften over time and may even disappear. Wrinkles in other areas of the face, which are not a result of direct muscle action (the smile lines, cheeks, or under eyes) are usually better suited for chemical peels or injectable fillers. The effect is mostly there for four to six months, after that you need to take a repeat shot as long as you want to maintain the youthful look. Even if you don't take the shots, no harm, you age as you would have aged normally without BTX-A.

AIM:

Fill smile lines, hollow cheeks, volumeless lips and hidden jawline

FIX: Dermal fillers

A wide array of fillers is available in the market. They include Hyaluronic acid (Restylane, Perlane, etc), polylactic acid (Sculptra), and collagen. The fillers add volume to the face and make it look more plump and fresh, just like a well hydrated fruit. They are particularly good for the hollows and creases which have not been contributred by direct muscle action. No anaesthesia is required. A come-in and go-out procedure. Only pin pricks felt for a second. Instant result is seen and there is absolutely no downtime. However again the fillers get resorbed over time and need to be repeated for continuation of result . If you feel overdone, the excess can be tailored by hyaluronidase injections. An absolute tailormade procedure cut to your expectation.

AIM:

Remove dark patches and signs of sundamage

FIX: Peels

Chemical peels with trichloro acetic acid in proper dilution is the most commonly used technique in our country. These peels are the most suitable ones for the type iii- vi skin that we come across in our population. However, the result takes two to three weeks to appear as the acid rerated skin sloughs to make way for the underlying fresh layer of skin cells to surface up. A burning sensation may be felt for a while. The absolute precaution needed after peel is strict usage of moisturisers and sunscreens. With peels the layer of collagen beneath the skin gets re-arranged and the fine lines of aging also disappear.

AIM:

Define lip vermilion, eyelines and eyebrows

FIX: Medical micropgmentation tattooing - aka- Permanent makeup

The reasons for seeking permanent make up are mostly for convenience, but medical indications for it are to recreate eyebrows after illness, chemotherapy or injury, disguise scars and white spots or to restore pigmentation to damaged skin. Simply put it is a specialised tattooing done for cosmetic enhancement. Permanent makeup when applied correctly and safely by a properly trained professional can enhance your appearance and lifestyle. You don't need to apply the makeup everyday and hence you save time as well as money. Always look fresh and natural without worrying to put up the makeup soon after getting up in the morning, during travelling or camping.

No worry of makeup smudges when you shower, exercise, swim or get wet in the rains. No dependency on eyeglasses to put up makeup especially for the shortsighted people (more of a problem if makeup involves the area around the eyes). No worries of frequent touch ups through the day. You can enjoy beautiful, hassle-free professionally done makeup every day by just a few visits!

All said and done, looking youthful is the ultimate goal. The selection of the right procedure and a qualified person to do it is equally important. Obviously the doctors who do these procedures routinely are better suited for these treatments. So here is the way to showcase yourself in a totally rejuvenated way for a healthy, fresh and prosperous festive season.