To reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles, most people seek for Botox to treat this condition. For many years, Botox has been used as an injectable cosmetic drug that temporarily paralyzes the muscles since it uses on botulinum toxin A, a neurotoxin produced by bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. It blocks the uptake of this substance at the muscle receptor, which inhibits the ability of the brain to tell the muscles to move, allowing them to relax.
However, wrinkles aren’t the only thing that Botox can fix. It aids people in different medical and cosmetic ways crucial for a person to handle a certain problem they are experiencing. As Botox evolves overtime, below are its other uses that people can benefit from:
Chronic migraines
It has been observed that when Botox was administered to individuals for their wrinkles, they also reported fewer headaches. Botox was later tested on people with chronic migraines, and it was approved for this disorder just over a decade ago. Botox has been highly debated by doctors on whether the drug is truly effective for migraines or whether it is a placebo effect.
A trial of 3 cycles, or 9 months, before making a final decision to continue with Botox. With most people seeing a difference right away, 10% of people only noticed an improvement with their chronic migraines after the third treatment.
Excessive sweating
Similar to how Botox blocks the signal to the muscles, it also prevents the signal from the nerves from getting to the sweat glands. In turn, if the gland doesn’t receive the signal, it doesn’t produce sweat. Doctors can use Botox to treat hyperhidrosis (medically diagnosed excessive sweating) by injecting the underarms or palms of patients.
Botox treatments can stop excessive sweating in areas for up to six months. For those with a sweating disorder that have tried clinical-strength and prescription antiperspirants with no success, Botox can be a possible solution.
Overactive bladder
Those who experience symptoms of overactive bladder, including urinary incontinence, urinary urgency, frequent urination, and nighttime urination, can be treated with Botox for relief. Botox can be injected into the bladder wall, and it can take a few days for it to take effect. After which, improved bladder control is noticeable.
Improvements can last from three to nine months before symptoms return, and the Botox treatment will be repeated. Current research findings indicate that 60 – 90% of patients experience significant symptom relief.
Crossed-eyes
It may sound unexpected that Botox can assist with fixing strabismus (crossed eyes). The procedure involves numbing the eye with some eye drops. A needle is injected directly into the eye, and a small amount of Botox is inserted and corrects crossed eyes for a while. Results are visible in just 24-28 hours, and in some cases, the improvement in alignment may be long-lasting if the Botox treatment is continued.
Severe neck spasms
Since Botox functions to relax the injected muscles, it can help with severe neck pain and spasms. Paired with physical therapy, Botox treatment can minimize neck pain for about three to six months, depending on the disorder and the severity.
Smooth the neck
With the aging process, the neck muscles can start to enlarge and protrude. Many of the muscles in the neck are also connected to the muscles in the face. The neck can pull the rest of the facial features forward; hence, Botox can relax the neck muscles to soften these wrinkles and lift the face.
Horizontal wrinkles spanning the neck can also be temporarily erased with Botox treatment. Tiny amounts are injected into the muscles above and below the lines around the neck. Since Botox breaks down every three to four months, repeat visits will be necessary.
Temporary facelift
With age comes facial lines and wrinkles, and almost everyone is now considering ways to appear younger. Cosmetic surgery such as a facelift could be a solution, but it can be an invasive procedure that can take months to recover.
Botox, on the other hand, can be used as a temporary facelift when it’s injected directly into the muscles of the face that cause wrinkles. Botox treatments soften the look of fine lines and prevent them from becoming more noticeable.
Mimic a nose job
Around the age of 40, the nose can begin to sag and become more hooked, making the whole face droopy. Botox treatment can help lift the nose and take years off of the appearance. This treatment involves injecting Botox at the base of the nose between the nostrils as this can release the muscle that pulls the nose downward, making the whole face appear more lifted.
Botox treatments are quick and sometimes as fast as 15 minutes per session than a surgical nose job. Botox treatments are also a temporary solution to mild and moderate imperfections.
Soften the jawline and chin
Botox can be used to soften the jawline and chin. Botox on the jawline can create a more visible V-line in the face. By reducing the size of these muscles, Botox slims the jawline.
In turn, making a face appear more youthful and slender while emphasizing the cheekbones. Applying Botox to the jawline can also relieve pain and teeth grinding, which is often a result of an overload of pressure in highly developed masseters.
Lift the lips
Tiny drops of Botox can be applied to the upper lip border to roll the top lip up and out slightly, so it appears plumper. This procedure usually takes about a week before seeing any results. Since Botox is injected on the top border of the lip rather than inside the lip itself, it gives the upper lip a fuller look without actually adding any volume to the inside.
What Are Aftercare Instructions And Precautions After Botox?
To see optimal treatment results, aftercare instructions are a must follow. That said, the risk of bruising and spreading to other areas can be reduced. On the day of getting the Botox, it’s generally a good idea to:
- gently exercise the face
- relax for the rest of the day
- maintain a normal heart rate
- avoid touching, rubbing, or putting physical pressure on the affected area
- leave the treated area alone
Also, some precautions may be observed. Hence, here’s what to keep in mind on the day of the procedure:
- Don’t drink alcohol.
- Don’t touch the face.
- Avoid other skin treatments.
- Don’t sleep on the treated areas.
- Stay out of the sun.
The Bottom Line
Botox is a quick, straightforward, minimally invasive treatment used for different purposes, not just wrinkles. HerSpace MedSpa offers Botox, the first and only treatment FDA-approved for moderate to severe frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet. Ultimately, it is proven safe and effective at smoothing out wrinkles and giving a natural appearance with no social downtime following the procedure.
