Non-surgical cosmetic medicine in Abu Dhabi

Neuromodulators such as Botox and Dysport relax a targeted muscle so the skin above it smooths. In the hands of a plastic surgeon they are also instruments of facial reshaping, not only a treatment for lines. Dr Colson works to preserve facial expression while softening the lines that movement creates.

On the upper face, treatment targets dynamic lines caused by repeated muscle movement. Dr Colson frequently uses a micro-dosing technique, known as baby Botox, which uses smaller quantities of product to preserve movement while limiting the formation of deeper lines.

On the lower face, the same molecule alters proportion. The masseter is the muscle used for chewing; when it is overdeveloped, a condition called masseter hypertrophy, it can produce a wide, square jawline. Injecting botulinum toxin relaxes the muscle, which reduces in volume over time and slims the lower face.

Botulinum toxin also has recognised medical applications. In hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, it blocks the nerve signals to the sweat glands.

Skin boosters are not fillers and do not change the shape of the face. They use micro-droplets of stabilised hyaluronic acid which, unlike filler, is not cross-linked to create volume. The product disperses under the skin and attracts water.

Products such as Profhilo and Restylane Skinboosters deliver a high concentration of pure hyaluronic acid into the dermis, where it spreads rather than remaining in a single deposit. The result is an improvement in hydration, firmness and skin texture. The treatment acts as an internal moisturiser that lasts several months and softens fine lines.

LED biomodulation, also called low-level light therapy, uses specific wavelengths of light that interact with skin cells at a molecular level. It is non-thermal and UV-free, which makes it suitable for all skin types. Dr Colson uses medical-grade LED therapy both for skin quality and as an adjunct to surgery, to support recovery.

Blue light at 415 nm targets Cutibacterium acnes bacteria within the pores and causes their destruction, which reduces active lesions and inflammation without requiring antibiotics. Red light at 633 nm penetrates deeper into the dermis and stimulates the mitochondria, activating the fibroblasts that produce collagen and elastin. Near-infrared light at 830 nm travels deepest into the tissue.

Medical-grade devices emit a substantially higher power density than home devices, which allows the light to reach the depth required to trigger a cellular response.