Who wouldn't want to be jabbed in the face with a neurotoxin?

'To Botox or not to Botox: that is the question." Admittedly, William Shakespeare may not have phrased it quite like that, but the dilemma is surely worthy of one of the Bard's great tragedies.

I am not exaggerating when I say that three out of five people that I know have gone under the needle, injected with this neurotoxic poison.

You can't blame people who want to maintain their youth and looks, especially in a world that constantly judges us on outer beauty and our physique.

Let's be honest: everyone has some foible in physical appearance that he or she wants to change. No matter how much positive energy you have within you, gravity will always win in the end.

As someone who has rubbed every kind of fruit or vegetable on my skin to prevent wrinkles, blemishes, puffiness - you name it - there comes a time when natural remedies simply stop working. Actually, one time a remedy backfired on me and my entire face puffed up. To quote a friend, my face looked like a marshmallow. I'm not even sure how that is possible, but the description was dead on.

When I finally agreed to go with my friend to her Botox session, the doctor immediately pointed out my "laugh" and "deep frown" wrinkles. At that point I felt more like frowning, to be honest.

Without even being asked, the doctor launched into his pitch. "Your eyes are OK, no crows feet and slight darkness under the eyes," he said. "You should have started Botox in your 20s, you wouldn't have that frown wrinkle."

Since then, all I see when I look in the mirror is that ominous frown wrinkle.

In the end, I said "no, thank you" to Botox since I hate needles. Also, I've seen some different results - some of my friends' foreheads look rather oddly stiff these days.

But I did try a laser facial treatment, which actually felt kind of pleasant. And that frown wrinkle did disappear, for the time being at least.

But that is an easy fix. Not to burst the bubble so carefully inflated by many beauty-product marketers, but no simple cream or salve is a cure for cellulite, stretch marks or sagging skin.

I know someone who lost a lot of weight, and the stretch marks on her arms and legs prevent her from wearing a T-shirt or a skirt. Even after the weight loss, she is still always self-conscious.

There are plenty of other superficial flaws that resist the "miracle" cure. Two friends - one man and one woman - are planning hair transplants. Once you see a bald spot, the doctors say, it is often too late to bring the area back to life naturally.

For myself, I've used a seaweed treatment that has made a difference, although I don't have anything like the lush mane of just a few years ago. Of course, age, stress and nutrition all have an effect on both your body and your hair.

Some choose to go under the knife for cosmetic surgery. Many scoff at the idea, calling these people shallow, but unless you have struggled with your image and figure, you just can't understand how difficult it is.

For women, there are some issues that almost no one talks about. I know a woman who has saved up for breast-reduction surgery after years of struggling. She walks around hunched over, uncomfortable after decades of being stared at by both men and women.

Whatever the surgery - whether to fix a nose, sculpt a "six pack" on your abs or go for liposuction - if it makes a person happy and more confident, then why not? Life is short after all, and we could all use a bit of help.

rghazal@thenational.ae

On Twitter: @Arabianmau