You’ve undoubtedly heard about Botox and seen its effects on Hollywood actors and other celebrities. You may not realize all the things you could do with Botox and the ways it can improve the way you look and feel. Here are 13 facts about Botox and the way it is used.
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1. Botox Can Treat Migraines
Here’s one of those Botox facts that might surprise you: It’s used to treat migraines. The doctor injects Botox in areas around the head, such as the bridge of the nose, the forehead, along the temples, the neck and back of the head, and even the upper back. To help treat migraines with Botox, you would need about 31 injections and come back for treatment every three months.
2. Botox Can Treat Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is known as excessive sweating, which can be caused by medications or for no reason at all. About three percent of the people in the US have this condition, which very few people are aware of. They will also find that treating hyperhidrosis is one of the surprising things about Botox. To treat the condition, Botox is injected into the sweat glands. The injection blocks the nerve signals that lead to excess sweating. Results are fully visible in about two weeks, and repeat injections to treat hyperhidrosis with Botox are needed every six months.
3. More Men are Using Botox
One of the surprising things about Botox you didn’t know is that more men are turning to the injections. They use the injections to fight the signs of aging in order to reach their goal of staying competitive in the business world. They are impressed with the results.
4. Botox Treatments Can Maintain Muscles
A surprising Botox result is that it can retrain your muscles. Many people understand that Botox can help maintain looks. They must schedule appointments at regular intervals. What they don’t realize is that over time Botox retrains the muscles to stay relaxed. You may be able to go longer between treatments while still maintaining the results.
5. Botox Can Treat Chronic Pain
As mentioned before, Botox can help with chronic migraines. That’s not the only pain these injections can help treat. When Botox is injected into specific muscles, it blocks nerve signals and prevents the muscles from contracting, allowing them to relax. Botox can be injected into the neck and back to treat arthritis anywhere as well as help with tension headaches. While Botox may not be the first line of treatment, it can be a good solution for those with severe side effects from oral medications.
6. Botox Only Takes 10 Minutes
Depending on the area you’re treating, it only takes about ten minutes to have a Botox procedure. While your first session may take a little longer, repeat sessions will be much faster because the doctor knows the optimal location for the injections.
7. Botox Improves Your Smile
While you may be aware that Botox can help with laugh lines, you may not know that it can improve your smile in another way. One of the surprising things about Botox is that it also helps hide the extra gum line. Some people feel self-conscious about showing more gums when they smile, which often results in them smiling less often. If you’re one of those people, you can get your smile back with Botox. Botox relaxes the muscles in your upper lip, so they don’t go up as high with a smile.
8. Botox May Help Treat Depression
Depression might just be one of the things you didn’t know Botox could treat. The most obvious way is that it helps you feel better about your appearance. Having these injections and seeing the results can give you more confidence. However, there is another aspect to Botox when it comes to depression. Botox can be injected into frown lines, which prevents them from showing as much.
Science shows that when you frown, it sends a negative message to the brain, just like smiling can make you feel better. If you prevent frown lines from forming in the first place, it helps prevent these negative messages and may replace them with positive or neutral ones. Not much research has been done yet on this benefit, but it has long been believed that facial expressions can directly impact your mood.
9. Botox Can Reduce Chin Dimples
If you have what is often referred to as an orange peel chin, Botox can help. It smooths out the skin and reduces the appearance of those dimples in the chin. It also assists the person in not contracting their chin, which causes dimples in the first place.
10. Botox Softens Jawlines
Some people have a strong jawline because they tend to clench their jaw. While some may want a defined jawline, others prefer a softer outline. Botox can be injected into the masseter muscles located on the opposite sides of the jaw. The muscles relax and loosen up to create a softer jawline.
11. Botox Smooths Lines Around Lips
While some people develop lines around their mouths that are visible all the time, others only have those lines above the upper lip when speaking. Since these lines are only noticeable at specific times, the person doesn’t require dermal facial fillers. Instead, Botox can be injected into the upper lip area to relax the muscles around the mouth. The result is a smoother appearance with no lines when you talk.
12. Lift the Corners of the Mouth with Botox
Have you noticed that some people look like they’re frowning even when they don’t seem upset? The edges of their mouth are turned down in what looks like a perpetual frown. One of the things you didn’t know you could do with Botox is turn that frown upside down. When a small amount of Botox is injected into the muscles below the corners of the mouth, it prevents the corners from turning down.
13. Botox Can Open Your Eyes
A brow that sits low gives a tired appearance to the eyes. When Botox is injected into the brow, it helps elevate and reshape it. The result is a more wide-awake appearance that also helps you look younger.
These lesser-known facts about Botox can help you reach your goals and ultimately improve your life. Talk to an experienced cosmetic surgeon when deciding on how to use Botox.
Dr. Leo Lapuerta is a triple board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience in cosmetic surgery. He stays up to date on the latest trends and research with non-surgical procedures. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to discuss any of these things about Botox that you didn’t know and see how the procedure can help you.