More and more women are choosing to go in for cosmetic treatments that are semi permanent and they're not film stars and models. Walk in a beauty clinic during your lunch hour, get a shot of botox to erase your frown lines within half an hour and walk out looking ten years younger and happier.

Back polishing is de rigueur and electrolysis for the upper lip is one of the most common methods of hair removal. Along with beauty parlours there is a steady mushrooming of beauty clinics. More so the reason that you know more about these treatments and make sure you are getting it right.

Botox Shots

Botox treatments are quick and almost pain-free. They work against wrinkles and laugh lines. A single shot given in the area to be treated leaves the muscles frozen or paralysed so that you cannot contract them. It is usually used to rid you of laugh lines, crow's feet, and that little furrow between your brows. The treatment takes a mere 20 minutes which is why it is popularly called the lunch-hour treatment. The effects last a few months. The treatment starts from Rs 15,000 and could go upto 1.5 Lakhs, depending on your requirements.

Red Alert - Wrongly given botox can freeze the wrong muscles, sometimes leaving you looking permanently surprised. It could also give you headache, drooping eyelids and in severe cases, permanently paralysed part of face.

Permanent Hair Removal

Electrolysis has been around for a while and in the beginning was the last resort of women with hormonal problems - removing long hair from the chin and breasts. It is now very popular with busy executives who haven't the time to do monthly waxings. A few trips to the clinic suffice and arms, legs, underarms, backs, stomachs and bikini lines are smooth and hairless. There is a small amount of pain but nothing more than you would suffer from waxing. Permanent hair removal for facial hair start from Rs 14,000.

Red Alert - If not done carefully, you can be left with burns or scars and the treatment might take more sittings than necessary. The bills will go through the roof and hair growth could recur.