It takes more than good genes to look beautiful

Non-surgical aesthetic treatments such as laser, Botox, and fillers are becoming quite popular because they are quicker, less painful and more subtle than plastic surgery.

These are procedures done by trained doctors in a sterilised environment in their clinic and after a few pricks here and there, over a lunch break, on can get back to their desk.

Dr Sangale is currently specialising in laser liposuction, which costs half the price of a surgical one at Sh250,000. She concentrates on weight-management treatments because she realised many women were looking for non-invasive procedures that gave them the same result, and laser was it.

“The demand for weight-management procedures is even higher than facial ones such as Botox and fillers, especially among Africans,” she says.

Laser treatment is gaining popularity for body sculpting. The cost of treatment includes a diet plan and eight sessions.

Botox and fillers are also becoming widespread locally with the injection process taking a mere 15 to 20 minutes, excluding the consultation before the treatment, with quick results.

Botox, a drug made from botulinum toxin is injected to paralyse muscles and temporarily alleviate the wrinkles and lines associated with ageing, is mainly used to address crow’s feet and frown lines while fillers, injected into the deeper layer of skin is to correct deep lines, fills where people lose face fat – laugh lines – and enhance lips.

Dr Saroop Singh Bansil, a dermatologist and cosmetologist, says these treatments have gained popularity in the past couple of years especially among Kenyans.

“They say they want to look younger and better with many of the clients coming when age lines start to show,” he says. He also gets patients from across East Africa.

The costs depend on the individual doctor, with the price ranging from Sh30,000 to Sh120,000 depending on the number of shots of Botox and fillers, which last up to 12 months while Botox stays for six to eight months.

Dr Sangale emphasises the need to have these injectable procedures done by a professional who can deal with complications, “they are not to be handled casually as they can have serious consequences.”

The doctors say some of their clients want repair of botched procedures, which is time-consuming and more costly. Also on the increase are patients who want correction after using skin lightening creams – which are illegal in the market – and tablets.

“They are still in the market and are harmful to the liver and skin. We get patients who want to reverse the impact and sometimes it’s hard since once the skin is thin, there is not much we can do about it,” says Dr Bansil.

But not all women want to risk the repercussions of these invasive treatments and most still rely on skincare products for that youthful look, even though this takes longer to show results.

Hundreds of skincare products are launched annually promising remarkable results including slowing the ageing process, addressing wrinkles and skin rejuvenation.