Don't sweat the small stuff

HEALTH

After lifting brows, removing crow's feet, wiping out wrinkles and ironing frown lines, Botox is now being used in India for reshaping the lower half of the face as well as treating hyperhidrosis, a problem where the patient sweats excessively through armpits, palms or feet.

In India to train doctors, physicians and surgeons, cosmetologist Dr Stefania Roberts talks about the uses of Botox in India.

Botox, purified protein derived from a bacteria is often used for cosmetic and therapeutic purposes. However, while injecting Botox, it is imperative that the injecting doctor do so with utmost care, injecting only the right amount and the right muscle.

Infamous for leading to drooping eyelids or eyebrows or sometimes even deformity of the lips, if injected too close to any of these muscles, Botox in the long run is said to be harmless since its effect wears off within four months.

However, living with a drooping eyelid even for a few months can be quite painful ... at least emotionally. This is why Botox, which entered the Indian market two years ago has been organising training for doctors across India.

"A lot of doctors in India are already using Botox for the lower half of the face as well as for hyperhidrosis. However, it is still important to educate them about every muscle they work with and the effect of Botox on it," says Roberts.

The lower half of the face being more intricate and artistic requires a lot more experience and leaves lesser margin for error on the part of the injecting doctor. She adds that since Botox wears off in about five months, customers often have to keep returning for more shots.

However, one session of Botox doesn't bind you to it. The injection can be taken as and when you please, weeks before a big occasion or once every two years or even once and never again.

With the awareness towards Botox having increased from seven per cent to 23 per cent, Roberts is excited about its therapeutic use in tackling hyperhidrosis.

"We just have to inject the Botox in the problem area to weaken the sweat glands thus decreasing the sweating. Though it requires regular sessions once every six to seven months, the more its used, the longer the interval between the sessions."