I thought it was about time to address some of the common concerns my clients have when considering Botox®.

As Appearance Medicine is becoming more popular and widespread, I have many friends ask me “is Appearance Medicine right for me?”

While this is an individual choice and everybody is different, my answer is usually a resounding “YES!” From my younger clients where the focus is more on enhancing current features (eyes, lips, cheeks) to the older clients where the focus is more on restoring features that may have diminished somewhat, there is something for everyone.

Essentially it’s something new that we can offer to make you feel better, look more attractive and feel energised. More importantly we can do this in a safe, subtle and significant way.

So when asked by my friends ‘why appearance medicine?’, my answer is ‘why wouldn’t you?’

I am often amazed at the marketing power out there that drives women (and men) to spend an absolute fortune on skin care. A friend of mine recently asked me what’s good to use on your face, and she told me her mother had a $1500 tub of face cream! I just about fell off my chair. I don’t doubt that that product is good, but in my mind there is no need to spend anywhere near this much on good, proven skin care.

Quite often my patients remark that they are impressed by the results of Fraxel but concerned about the pain factor. At Palm Clinic we do our utmost to make your experience welcoming and painless.

Palm Clinic will be the first clinic in New Zealand to offer a new prescription medicine that is capable of growing your eyelashes longer, thicker and darker. 

Better than mascara or eyelash tattooing as these are your own lashes.

This is the most common question I get asked by clients considering liposuction. The answer is “in an ideal world it would be great if your were ideal body weight, toned and just had tiny areas of fat spoiling the image”.

In the real world most people are struggling with their weight, and liposuction of stubborn areas of fat can give you a real boost in self esteem and confidence to get back to the gym and sort out your nutrition. So you can get to your ideal body weight first or use liposuction as a stimulant to achieve what can be a very difficult goal for most people. Your choice! You will get good results either way.

Restless legs can be really distressing.

They usually happen in the evening and can make sleeping really difficult. It feels like you don’t know where to put the legs and they can be associated with a twitchy feeling so that the legs need to be moved frequently. The cause is not known and is probably multi factorial. Magnesium deficiency can be relevant for some people.

Of interest to Palm Clinic we have noted that many of our varicose veins patients also have restless legs and following treatment of the varicose veins with endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) or ultrasound guided sclerotherapy (UGS), the restless legs syndrome has improved with treatment of the varicose veins.

Excessive sweating is a common problem that you no longer have to put up with.

I had Botox® treatment to my palms to treat hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). I had suffered with this for years, especially over the summer months. I’m delighted with the results… and noticed recently that I can now leave my hands on the black reception desk at Palm Clinic and not leave wet marks behind- the bench test!

Botox® works by blocking the message from the nerve to the sweat gland, thereby inhibiting sweating. The results for excessive sweating can last up to one year. Another popular area for treatment is the armpits.

Botox® and Dysport are Prescription Medicines containing 100 units of clostridium botulinum Type A toxin complex for injection. It is used for the treatment of severe frown lines of the face. It should be administered only by trained medical professionals. Arrange a consultation to discuss the benefits/risks of this procedure in appearance medicine. Cautions: people with defective neuromuscular transmission disorders, presence of infection at site of injection, glaucoma, pregnancy and lactation. Possible side effects include headaches, pain, burning or redness at injection site, local muscle weakness including drooping eyelids, lack of feeling and nausea. If you have side effects or concerns speak to a doctor. A charge applies. Note: Botox® and Dysport treatment lasts about 4 months and after this time further courses of treatment could be necessary. Arrange a consultation to discuss your own situation.

¹ Benedetto A. The Cosmetic Uses of Botulinum toxin type A. Int J Dermatol 1999, 38:6641.655

Been looking for an effective treatment for stretch marks? Look no further.

Fraxel laser works by causing ‘controlled damage’ to the outer layers of the skin. This stimulates a healing process, the end product being collagen and elastin.

Collagen and elastin help the skin look soft and smooth again. Fraxel laser is used to improve texture and tightness of skin on the face, neck, decolletage and hands, to reduce acne scarring and also for stretch marks.

International Vein Meeting in Monaco

Dr John Barrett from Palm Clinic has been invited to give a presentation at the UIP (Union Internationale Phlebologie) meeting in Monaco at the end of August. He will also act as moderator for two of the UIP sessions.

Dr Barrett is a recognised leader in the non surgical management of varicose veins and has published papers in Dermatologic Surgery Journal and a chapter in a benchmark textbook on Foam Ultrasound Guided Sclerotherapy edited by Dr John Bergan, President of the American College of Phlebology.