8 Amazing Facts About Botox That You Didn't Know
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Botox® is a quick treatment, but the results last several months, or even half a year in some cases. The injections are so tiny that many people experience very little pain, making it a popular choice for anyone hoping for a more youthful appearance without the risks or downtime involved with cosmetic surgery. But there’s a lot more to Botox than you may realize. To learn more about this treatment, contact our office.
1. Botox can treat heavy perspiration
Perspiring is a normal and very helpful body function, but for some people, it’s a problem. If you sweat like crazy even when you wear antiperspirant — a disorder known as hyperhidrosis — Botox can help by blocking a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine, which tells your muscles to contract. So just as it temporarily paralyzes particular muscles in your face to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, Botox can paralyze certain sweat glands to prevent sweating.
2. Botox may help manage depression
As you’ve probably noticed, stressful emotions tend to show on your face. When you feel tense, angry, or sad, your face may appear more tense as well. Just as forcing yourself to smile more often is known to help boost moods, Botox may help boost your emotional well-being by “tricking” you into feeling as relaxed as your treated face.
A researcher involved with a recent study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research said he believes the treatment “interrupts feedback from the facial musculature to the brain, which may be involved in the development and maintenance of negative emotions.”
3. Botox can help prevent wrinkles
Botox gets a lot of attention for “undoing” wrinkles, leaving a smoother appearance where you once saw fine lines. And while this is a major perk of the treatment, you can also rely on it to minimize the chances of wrinkles ever appearing. Some dermatologists and Botox providers recommend considering Botox as soon as fine lines begin to appear, if you feel they’ll bother you. This age varies, but for many people, lines start to appear by age 30.
4. Botox derives from a poison, but it’s perfectly safe
Botox comes from a neurotoxin that can cause botulism — but that doesn’t mean it’s unsafe. On the contrary, its therapeutic uses conducted by trained professionals have been proven very effective. Once injected, Botox stays put; it won’t find its way to other body parts where it could cause harm. What’s important is making sure you work with a qualified and experienced professional rather than looking for a cheap knockoff product from someone with questionable credentials.
5. Botox can boost your self-esteem
In addition to helping to alleviate low or depressed moods, Botox treatments boost many people’s self-esteem. You may feel more confident smiling, socializing, or posing for photos, or less self-conscious when you look in the mirror — all of which can help you feel a bit better about yourself overall. A study published in the journal Dermatologic Surgery in 2013 showed that people with depression experienced greater self-esteem as well as lessened depression symptoms after receiving Botox treatments.
6. Botox can ease pain
Researchers aren’t entirely sure why, but Botox treatments can minimize the intense pain of migraine headaches. The FDA approved Botox as an effective migraine treatment option in 2013. Research also shows that Botox can help manage chronic pain, significantly reducing symptoms such as lasting neck pain.
If you suffer from migraines or chronic pain, talk to your doctor to find out if it’s a good option for you.
7. Botox treatments are really, really popular
You may not hear your friends or colleagues talk much about their Botox treatments, but chances are you know people who benefit from the injections. Botox has topped the rankings of the most popular nonsurgical cosmetic treatments since 2000. In 2017, more than 7 million Botox treatments were performed.
8. Botox works below your skin
Botox reduces fine lines and wrinkles caused by facial movement. It doesn’t reduce the effects of exposure to ultraviolet rays in tanning beds or from the sun, however. While sun damage occurs on the surface level of your skin, Botox goes deeper to affect the muscles. So while you’re enjoying or looking forward to the perks the treatment can bring, remember to wear your sunscreen or other sun protection daily.