You may have heard of Botox time and time again, but how much do you know about it? Are you aware that it has various applications other than simply rejuvenating a person’s appearance?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and many professional organizations, such as the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, have deemed Botox injections safe and effective for both therapeutic and aesthetic use. Let’s explore the different medical and cosmetic applications of Botox (botulinum toxin).
Medical Uses of Botox
While Botox is essentially derived from the same toxin that causes food poisoning, it has proven beneficial effects when used judiciously and in small doses.
Botox works by blocking certain chemical signals from nerves to muscles, rendering the latter unable to contract. It is used for treating a variety of medical conditions, including the following:
- Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
- Overactive bladder
- Blepharospasm (eyelid spasticity)
- Strabismus (crossed eyes)
- Cervical dystonia (neuromuscular disorder of the neck and head)
- Migraine headaches
Aesthetic Uses of Botox
Despite the emergence of many wrinkle-relaxing treatments, Botox injections remain the most common and popular aesthetic intervention, with millions of Americans getting them every year. In fact, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there were over 7.23 million people who got Botox injections in 2017 alone.
When injected directly into facial muscles, Botox flattens and smooths out facial creases, particularly:
- Smile lines or laugh lines – Also known as nasolabial folds, these are deep wrinkles that appear on the side of the nose and extend down to the corner of the mouth.
- Glabellar lines – Vertical lines between the eyebrows
- Forehead wrinkles
- Crow’s feet – Wrinkles that appear at the outer corners of the eyes
It’s worth mentioning that the effects of Botox are temporary, lasting about four to six months. For you to maintain the results, your aesthetic specialist will likely recommend three to four treatments per year.
Its side effects are minor and may include some eyelid swelling/drooping and minor pain at the injection sites. These are temporary and typically subside within two weeks.
Botox is contraindicated in pregnant women and people with neuromuscular disorders, keloidal scarring, and botulinum toxin allergies. To see if you qualify for Botox, your aesthetic specialist will examine your skin as well as assess your medical history and current health status.
BOTOX Injections Near Me in Dallas, TX
If you feel as though your appearance doesn’t correspond to how young and vibrant you feel inside, see one of our highly trained and experienced aesthetic specialists here at Privé Aesthetics in Dallas, Texas. We offer an array of wrinkle-relaxing treatments – including BOTOX® injections — and we will gladly help you decide as to which is the suitable option for you.
Call our friendly staff now at (817) 739-6640. You may also submit an appointment request right here on our website, and we will contact you promptly, so you can get started on your journey to a radiant, youthful-looking skin right away!