Botox is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Botox has many uses beyond the typical aesthetic treatment most people think of including treatment for:
- Elimination of severe sweating in the underarm area
- Cervical dystonia
- Blepharospasm or uncontrollable blinking
- Strabismus or deviated eyes
- Migraines and spinal headaches
As we can see, Botox serves an important function in the elimination of certain pathologies as well as the field of cosmetic dermatology. For younger-looking skin, small doses of the toxin are applied via injection to the areas that you want to treat. Once the substance enters the body, it begins to temporarily relax various muscles by blocking certain nerve receptors which reduces muscle activity. This ultimately improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
An excess of the toxin can be dangerous, but in smaller quantities, it offers plenty of positive effects for health and overall appearance.
How Does Botox Work to Reduce Wrinkles?
Applied in a specific area of the patient’s face, this substance can stop a specific muscle from receiving the nerve signals, causing it to stop contracting in response. With less contraction, the treated muscle group will begin to relax offering a chance for the lines of expression tend to soften.
The most common problem areas with more wrinkles that Botox can be used for include:
- The forehead
- The frown lines between the brows
- The neck
- The area around the eyes
- The upper lip
A Simpler Way to Achieve Younger-Looking Skin without the Pain & Costs of Surgery
The results of these injections are incredible, and many people opt for them thanks to the simple methods and a minimal amount of pain. The method can be applied in a few short minutes at your dermatologist’s office and it does not require anesthesia as it hardly produces any pain or discomfort. Results will become evident in approximately a week and last for months.
The Many Benefits of Botox Beyond Aesthetic Treatments
- Treatment of Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is a disorder that generates excessive perspiration. Botox is used mainly to treat axillary hyperhidrosis since it is in this case where it has the best results. A specialist at Grosse Pointe Dermatology in Sterling Heights shares more on what Botox can do for this disorder noting, “It produces a decrease in sweating, in these cases it does not apply to the muscles, but more superficially, depending on the sweat glands. This significantly reduces the production of sweat during a period of between 10 and 12 months.”
Botox is considered to be a good treatment option that is easy to apply and offers good results. It can easily be done in a consultation or procedure room
Even if you don’t suffer from Hyperhidrosis, but have a lot of excess sweating, Botox may be right for you.
- Treatment of Bruxism
Bruxism is the exaggerated contracture of the masticatory muscles. It typically causes problems such as headaches or causing teeth to break or drop from constant pressure. Dr. Balle in Sterling Heights commented on using Botox to treat Bruxism saying, “Botox is known to relax the muscles, in this case selectively relax the masseter muscle, which is what causes the jaw to be contracted, so that it is partially relaxed.”
This procedure is performed mainly by dermatologists, although there are also trained dentists that also perform this treatment.
- Reducing Headaches
Intense, regular headaches can also be helped using Botox. There are many neurologists who use the toxin to reduce headaches as it enters the nerve endings in the injected area to block the release of certain chemicals involved in pain transmission. If you suffer from chronic headaches or migraines, Botox might be a good treatment option for you. Head to a headache specialist or neurologist to learn more.
- Treatment for Muscular Hypertension
Botox also offers multiple options for people who have hypertonia of the muscles and patients who have neurological diseases that produce an exaggerated contracture of muscles. In cases that involve muscular hypertension, using larger doses of Botox can achieve muscle relaxation and thus allow patients to more easily extend their extremities. Talk to your doctor if you are interested in trying Botox to treat hypertonia or another similar condition.
The Limitations of Botox Injections
One thing to remember about Botox injections is that these are not permanent results. The injections typically last anywhere between three and six months. As the Botox wears off, the paralyzed muscles begin to regain their mobility and wrinkles or lines of expression may begin to materialize again. The good news is you can schedule repeat treatments that are still less expensive and less of a hassle than other options.
Another limitation of Botox injections for the face is the inability to reduce those wrinkles that are caused by sun damage or even by the fall of the skin as a result of the gravity itself and the normal passage of time. If done incorrectly or too much in any area, the results may appear too artificial, or cause adverse effects.
In addition, it is necessary to take into account the chance of side effects that Botox injection in the face can cause including:
- Headache
- Bruising
- Redness
- Soreness in the treated area
- General discomfort
- Dizziness and nausea
- Transient paralysis
Talk to your dermatologist about the limitations of Botox before you plan on using it for aesthetic purposes. Make sure the dermatologist administering the treatment is certified and experienced to provide quality, subtle results for younger-looking skin.
Dermatologists often have specialists who can tell you more about Botox injections, evaluate if it is right for you, and help you determine what your problem areas area. Grosse Pointe Dermatology offers the best Botox injections in the Sterling Heights area, so reach out today to set up your initial consultation!