THE FLAWLESS SKIN PLAN

Want help to fight ageing and imperfections? Here are some cosmetic skin treatments, their price tags and possible drawbacks

In an ideal world, we would want to be our best selves every single day. However, in reality, what we can do is to make the most of festivities and celebrations. Such occasions give us an excuse to deck up. Since the first step to looking good is having healthy and glowing skin, skin treatments are particularly in demand around special occasions such as Valentine’s Day.

According to Dr Viral Desai, cosmetic surgeon, these days a visit to the dermatologist’s clinic is to “reduce signs of ageing, the appearance of enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, dull skin, fine lines and wrinkles, and to correct and enhance facial features.”

Also, good skin is on top of priority lists for both men and women. “Men, too, want to look good before a party or an important social event. They usually opt for skin polishing and laser facial. The ones who are in their early 40s and are worried about wrinkles go for treatments like botox and fillers,” says Dr Saurabh Shah, dermatologist.

Dr Rinky Kapoor, cosmetic dermatologist and dermatosurgeon, lists some of the most popular treatmen

MICRODERMABRASIO

Also called party facial or skin polishing, in this treatment, skin is polished with a vacuumassisted probe and polishing powder or diamond crystals. It takes 15 to 20 minutes to do the face and neck. It can also be done for hands, legs and back. The results are short lived and it is ideal for celebrations. Effects visible in: Two days Cost: ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 per session

FILLERS

Hyaluronic acid, collagen, etc. are used to fill out frown lines, under eye hollows, cheeks, etc. They can also be used to make lips look fuller. They can be used in minor breast augmentation, fill up acne scars, etc. The results can last for up to two years.

Effects visible in: Few minutes

Cost: From ₹25,000 per ml

BOTULINUM TOXIN

Commonly known as botox, this is a toxin made from bacteria, and is injected into overactive muscles, so that it relaxes them. It is used for reduction of frown lines, crow’s feet, wrinkles, nasal bunny lines etc. The effects

lly last for about six months. Effects visible in: Three to four days

Cost: ₹17,500 onwards per session

MESOTHERAPY

This therapy is done by injecting bioactive substances just below the skin’s surface to result in skin rejuvenation, tightening, etc. Substances injected range from vitamins to p - c plasma. The popular ‘vampire facial’ is done by drawing your own blood, centrifuging it and injecting the serum obtained in the upper layers of the skin using mesotherapy. One can experience swelling and redness for two to three days. Effects visible in: Four to five days

Cost: ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 per session

TREATMENTS ARE ‘RELATIVELY SAFE’ WHEN CARRIED OUT BY SKILLED DOCTORS