Botox, or Botulinum toxin, is a safe and effective cosmetic injection that reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines in the skin. However, its benefits extend well beyond giving you smoother and younger-looking skin. Did you know that it can be used to treat a variety of other conditions as well?
Read on for some other surprising uses!
Treatment of Excessive Sweating
Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, is a problem for many people. Doctors are not entirely sure what causes it, but one thing is certain: it can be an embarrassing problem! It is hard to feel confident when trying to hide your sweat-stained shirt during a social or business interaction.
Fortunately for sufferers, studies have shown that Botox injections can help treat excessive sweating. Botox prevents the release of the chemical in your body that activates your sweats glands. Results can last up to 9 months.
Botox is approved by the FDA for treating excessive underarm sweating, and some practitioners also use it to treat the hands and soles of the feet.
Botox and Depression
We all know that feeling better about our appearance puts us in a better mood. When you look good, you feel good, right?
However, doctors have recently discovered that Botox may actually go a step beyond just making you feel good and be a successful treatment for depression.
This connection may be due to what is called the facial feedback theory – the belief that changes to the muscles in the face can change the brain. This is the same theory that tells us that smiling, even when we don’t feel like it, can actually improve mood.
Botox is currently being evaluated by the FDA for approval in the treatment of depression, but results so far are promising. This may be a great option for those that have not had success with traditional treatments such as antidepressants or lifestyle changes.
Treatment for Chronic Pain
“Will it hurt?” is a common question asked by Botox rookies. But did you know that Botox is an effective treatment for chronic pain?
Doctors have been using Botox for many years to treat pain in the face, neck, back, pelvis, and knees as well as neuropathic pain. Botox reduces pain by relaxing the muscles and blocking the signals that cause unnecessary muscle spasms.
Botox has several advantages over traditional pain management techniques. A 2011 study showed that one treatment can relieve pain for 3-4 months – a much safer option than regular use of pain medication. Patients receiving Botox also had less complications and hospitalizations than those using traditional pain management techniques.
Botox for Wrinkle Prevention
Excessive sweating, depression, and chronic pain may not be concerns for most people, but there is one condition that will affect all of us: aging. Regardless of your race, gender, and health, your skin will lose elasticity as you age. Less elastic skin cannot recover as well from wrinkling and looks less youthful.
This is where most of us think of Botox – as a successful treatment later in life for those looking to decrease the appearance of wrinkles. However, a recent study has shown that Botox may actually prevent wrinkles from forming in the first place.
Botox paralyzes the facial muscles which reduces the appearance of wrinkles. However, this study found that it also increases skin elasticity for 3-4 months following the injection. The more elastic the skin, the less prone it is to wrinkling.
Starting Botox injections early will not keep you from having to receive the treatment later in life. However, evidence suggests that it will significantly decrease the amount and severity of wrinkles. This will make it simpler to maintain younger-looking skin as you age.
Botox is an effective, simple, and cost-effective treatment to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. It can help you look more attractive and feel more confident. However, research is currently being done on several more fascinating uses for this cosmetic injection!
While you will need to discuss Botox with your doctor as a treatment for pain and depression, Esthetic Finesse can assist you if you are interested in Botox as a preventative measure.
Contact us today to see how Botox can help you maintain younger-looking skin throughout your life.
