Defining botox at the Blue Spa
by Susan Stein

Tara Ogilvie works her magic at the Blue Spa. photo by Susan Stein

Magazines, newspapers and TV stations bring articles about the newest procedures in the field of cosmetics: BOTOX.

Seeing this word on the windows of Cookstown's Blue Spa, I went there last Saturday to find out what Botox is.

I missed specialist Kim Lalonde, but esthetician Tara Ogilvie was so kind to give me these information.

Botox is an injectable treatment derived from a purified protein. It is manufactured under strict quality control and is administered in extremely diluted dosages by a licensed medical professional.

It is injected into the muscle, that creates the dynamic wrinkle. The muscle relaxes and as a result, the wrinkle underlying the muscle is smoothed away.

The effect of the botox treatment usually lasts 3-4 months, at which time another injection is required.

Before botox became the non-invasive cosmetic tool, it has been around over 10 years, when the Canadian government approved it fro the treatment of ophthalmic disorders such as crossed eyes and contractions of eye lids. Since then it has been approved to relieve conditions, including cerebral palsy in children.

Tara Ogilvie is in charge of the Spa's facial treatments, manicures and pedicures, massages, makeup for every occasion, waxing, peels etc.

I hope to meet Kim Lalonde next week for a photo op. To find out more or meet the staff, visit the Blue Spa on Cookstown's Queen Street.