Modern-day technologies and medical solutions are in the market to help both the young and old maintain youthful looks for as long as they can.
With the help of pharmaceutical technologies and solutions, wrinkles appearing on the forehead or any sign of ageing on the face can be wiped out in a flash, leaving a person looking decades younger.
The face is usually the part of the body that people use to judge you. With just one look at someone’s face, people can estimate your age, based on the telling features of maturity.
However, there are a bunch of people who are not comfortable with the way their faces look. These men and women want to remain young –looking despite their advancing age and thankfully, there are procedures that can help them to look young forever…well, almost.
Botox
Botox injections are done on the face to prevent the movement of skin as one ages.
Botox is a toxin known as botulinium toxin type A, and in nature, it is produced by a bacteria. In botox therapy, a small amount of purified toxin is injected into the muscles of the face and neck to prevent them from contracting. It can also be injected into skin layers of the armpit to stop excessive sweat production.
An injection on the forehead relaxes the muscles around it and eliminates the constant movements that lead to wrinkle formation.
Botox treatments have to be done every four to six months, according to Pranav Pancholi, the founder of Avane Cosmetic Dermatology Clinic and Medical Spa, a private practice in Nairobi that conducts minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures.
The cost per session depends on the number of facial parts receiving the injection, but the prices generally start at Sh15,000 and can go up to Sh80,000.
The treatment, which takes just 15 to 30 minutes to administer, is popular with both women and men above 35 and 45 years. Yes, men go for it too.
As far as the side-effects are concerned, pain and swelling at the injection site are the most common complaints. Some people also develop nausea, headaches and flu-like symptoms.
If the injection is around the eye, patients may experience reduced ability to blink or sagging of eyelids. But these effects are usually temporary and clear after a short while.
Dermal filler
Dermal filler is an injectable procedure done to restore volume and fullness of the face after losing internal fat because of ageing.
The fillers make the face look compact with no hollow points in the process clearing the wrinkles on the cheek, jaws and chin.
Fillers can also be injected in other parts of the body, for instance, the hands to keep them looking youthful or on the lips to make them fuller. The cost of a procedure starts at Sh40,000.
“These are actually injections of fat, collagen or a substance known as hyaluronic acid. The fat is usually harvested from areas of your body such as the thighs and then injected into your face,” Mukuhi Ng’ang’a, a doctor who writes for BDLife says.
Fillers are particularly good for deeper wrinkles that may not respond to botox. They can also be injected into the lips and nose to help correct minor shape irregularities,” she explained.
During the 30 to 60-minute procedure, a small amount of anaesthetic cream or injection may be used on the screen to make the patient comfortable.
Dr Ng’ang’a explains that collagen injections are known to last three to six months while hyaluronic acid injections last nine to 12 months.
“Fat injections have been known to last several years, and a new combination of collagen and microscopic plastic beads can go up to five years,” she said.
Botox and fillers are the most popular procedures at Avane, with the clinic attending to about 10 people every day.
As part of its growth strategy, the clinic is in the process of introducing a form of administration of these procedures that does not use needles.
“The machine basically uses ultrasound to coagulate and tighten the skin. Ultrasound has been used for more than 70 years on babies so this is a safe treatment with no downtime and no needles,” explains Pancholi.
Pancholi also claims that there are no dangers associated with these procedures.
“One of the most common questions people ask is if the procedures cause cancer and the answer is ‘no.’ There are also no adverse after- effects when the treatment is stopped,” he said.
Still, the doctor advises people to conduct due diligence to verify the credentials of the doctor before undergoing these procedures.
It is also advisable to be aware of the risk factors posed by the procedures and a comprehensive health check is necessary prior to the treatment.
