News

Sancta Maria in the News – Article by Lynne Frenquest, Evening Post 26.10.2009

It is known for smoothing away the ravages of time. But Botox may also put a smile on your face. By stopping the face from frowning, Botox makes patients feel happier, a study suggests. LYNNE FERNQUEST reports.

[PSlee] 2009-10-26T10:52:54

IT’S no use pretending that I don’t mind looking older because I do. Getting older, is inevitable, but looking older is frowned upon (excuse the pun).

I have a moderately healthy diet, I exercise when I absolutely have to and freely admit I drink too much red wine, so I suppose it is inevitable that my 45-year-old face (and body) is not in the tip-top condition it would be if I was a teetotal, exercise addict who religiously consumed my five-a-day, every day.

Since I turned 40 the mirror has turned from friend to foe. Since that landmark birthday the aging process has accelerated and like many women (and men) my age I want to slow down the decline. I can hear the chorus of disapproval as I write this and I really would like to be happy in my own skin, but I am not. I would like to see the laughter and frown lines as badges of honour earned during a life well spent, but I don’t.

Like most women I have slathered on every face cream under the sun in a vain attempt to keep the lines at bay. But still they come . . . like an invading army that fails to know when it’s beaten.

A few months ago I decided it was time for action. I had three options, a) change my lifestyle dramatically — with no guarantees that it would soften the lines that have taken so many years to create, b) have Botox, or c) combine the two.

Despite my needy state I was not seduced into going to a hair salon or Botox party. I have enough respect for what I was contemplating to realise that even after 20 years’ use Botox should not be taken lightly, and for the best results you should be in the hands of the experts.

Sancta Maria Hospital in Uplands has a non-surgical cosmetic suite and prior to any treatment patients are booked in for a consultation with a plastic surgeon. This was a huge plus. Consultant Dean Boyce asked dozens of questions about my medical history, examined my skin, made suggestions and showed me detailed pictures of people he had treated and going into great detail about the procedures he thought were right for me. The Swansea-born surgeon told me women in their 20s want boob jobs, followed by tummy tucks in their 30s, topped off with Botox in their 40s. Are we that predictable? Apparently we are.

I opened my heart to Mr Boyce. The vertical lines between my eyes bothered me the most and he made it clear that not even consuming a mountain of organic vegetables or drinking gallons of mountain stream-sourced water would eliminate those bad boys!

The decision was taken, the appointment was made but it was not long before the nerves kicked in. Was I really so vain that I would allow a nurse to inject my face with a diluted poison? Yes came back the answer. I didn’t want to look like a bat but I did want to look like the best version of me possible.

Practice nurse Heather Thomas was in charge of my procedure and her soothing voice and confident manner dispelled any remaining doubts I had. Now all I had was the injections in my face to deal with.

As it turned out I can honestly say I hardly felt a thing. Heather certainly knew what she was doing and, although it was a strange sensation, I can honestly say that not one of the 13 injections in my forehead and around my eyes hurt.

I noticed a difference straight away, but was told it could take up to two weeks for the full benefit to be felt. The biggest plus for me was the disappearance of those awful frown lines between my eyes and the knowledge that they would not return for about three months.

And yes, it did make me feel a little happier on top of the world!

What did it cost? One area £190, two areas £240, three areas £290. Contact Heather Thomas, 01792 479040.