Many look at Botox as just a cosmetic procedure, but it actually offers a lot of other health benefits as well, including some uses that might surprise you! Fifty percent of the time it is used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but the other half of injections are used for therapeutic issues and conditions such as migraines, excessive sweating and can even help with teeth grinding issues.
From chronic pain to acne, here is a more indepth look at 5 non-cosmetic benefits of botox.
Helps Excessive Sweating
People with excessive sweating, otherwise known as hyperhidrosis, sweat even when they are not hot. It is an uncomfortable and uncontrollable condition. Their sweat soaks through their clothes and they are constantly dripping with sweat. This is no fun way to live, and thankfully Botox has been able to help many of these patients!
Injecting botox into the skin and into the different sweat glands help relax them, much like they do for our facial muscles. This slows down the production of sweat, leaving these patients with a much more manageable sweat situation.
Helps Migraines & Brain Pain
Migraines and debilitating headaches affect almost 2.7 million Canadians, and for many, the cause is still unknown. Severe headaches can leave many unable to leave their homes, work, or enjoy their lives. The good news is that just a small amount of injectables can help reduce migraine attacks and symptoms.
The FDA has approved Botox as a method to decrease migraines and headache pain back in 2010. Over 50% of patients have seen a 50% reduction in their pain, while 25% saw a 75% reduction. Decreased migraine pain is worth a few pokes a year.
Botox has also begun being used in trials suggesting it can help reduce depression symptoms. This is based on the hypothesis that a person’s facial expressions are linked to their moods. While this is still very much in the beginning experimental phases, it is worth noting that a study conducted in 2014 saw 52% of participants reported a drop in depression symptoms.
Helps Different Eye Conditions
Botox has been used to help correct certain eye conditions since the 1970s. One of these conditions was Strabismus, or cross-eyed. This is when the eyes do not align properly. So even when the patient is looking straight ahead, the eye turns upward, downward, or to one side. In small doses, Botox can also be used on children with Strabismus.
Botox has also been able to help people with involuntary blinking of the eyes, known as blepharospasm. This is a rare condition that causes the patient uncomfortable twitching and difficulty opening their eyes. Very small injections of Botox into the eyelid will weaken the muscles. This prevents the twitching, relieving the patient.
Lessens Chronic Pain
If you have chronic neck and shoulder pain, known as chronic posterior or myofascial pain syndromes can be debilitating for many. The good news is that muscle relaxants like Botox and Dysport can help. They help soothe tense and tight muscles, weakening them, thus reducing pain. It is also common for these patients to experience fewer headaches after their neck and shoulder treatments.
Dysport spreads more easily and can be better in large muscles if recommended by your doctor or injection specialist.
Decreases Acne
Have you tried every cream, ointment, pill, face mask and natural remedy out there for your acne issues? Acne affects 90% of adolescents and 20-30% of adults between the ages of 20-40. Acne is a right of passage for many of us, but any acne past the age of 18 is not cool. Luckily Botox is a minimally invasive procedure that can help prevent wrinkles and acne, giving your face a new lease on life. Have a younger and smoother-looking face than you did in your youth.
In one study conducted testing Botox’s effectiveness in fighting acne, 85% of participants saw significant improvements. Botox also helps to reduce the size of pores – yes, please!
Book A Botox Consultation
Whether you’re looking for Botox to prevent or reduce the appearance of wrinkles, or one of the benefits above, the injection specialists at PSSC can help! Botox is the perfect, non-invasive, no-downtime solution for millions of people. Book a consultation today!