Botox Beyond Wrinkles - The Versatility of a Tox

When you think about using a neurotoxin (a.k.a. tox) like Dysport or Botox, you probably think of a cosmetic injectable treatment to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. And that’s not wrong! Tox’s are most commonly used (and known for) their anti-aging effects. An injectable tox like Botox or Dysport is a preventative strategy to keep your facial muscles from contracting – and subsequent wrinkles from forming, or worsening. There are also less known, ‘off-label’ uses that many people benefit from. Believe it or not, Botox actually has a long history of medically therapeutic uses.

Here at Polished Med Spa – there are several alternative ways we use Botox to help our clients, beyond smoothing lines and turning back the clocks.  Maybe Botox can help you in a way you didn’t even know was possible! 

Botox for Excessive Sweating

Hyperhidrosis is the clinical term for excessive sweating. Typically people are concerned most with underarm sweat (although this treatment could be used most places on the body where you’re experiencing too much sweat), and arm and feet sweat. This condition is stressful and frustrating for those experiencing it.

Hyperhidrosis often results in embarrassing sweat marks, stained clothing, and lots of laundry! When antiperspirants and other medications don’t help – Botox can decrease the degree of sweat to a much more manageable level.

Botox works by blocking a chemical in the body that activates sweat glands. Just a few injections in each armpit stops the communication that tells your body to activate your sweat glands. While it’s not a permanent option, Botox can decrease sweating significantly (82-87%) for 4-12 months!

Botox for Migraine Relief

If you suffer from chronic migraines, Botox can provide relief. Botox is injected around the pain fibers that cause these headaches. It works at the nerve endings to block the release of chemicals involved in pain transmission.

This treatment prevents migraine headaches before they start. While it takes a few treatments for maximum effectiveness, one treatment can last for 10-12 weeks. Some patients report that 2 treatments cut monthly headache days in half. You can continue your normal migraine medications while you wait for maximum benefits – no drug interaction concerns.

The injection points are often similar to what we do for treating wrinkles – so this treatment can be a 2 bird, 1 stone approach!

Botox for TMJ Disorder

The temporomandibular joint is where the jawbone meets the skull, and is used everyday for activities like talking and eating. Disorder in this area can cause jaw tension, tightness, tenderness, and headaches.

Botox injections in this strained area relax the muscles in the jaw. This prevents the muscle from clenching and keeps you from grinding your teeth. By relaxing these muscles – it helps decrease headaches, jaw and tooth pain, and helps with sleep and anxiety.

Lip Flip – Accentuate Your Lip with Botox

Fuller lip without filler? Yup – Botox can help with that too! If you have a thin upper lip– a ‘lip flip’ with Botox may be just right for you.

Botox injected into your upper lip relaxes the muscles and ‘flips’ your lip upward. It makes your lip more visible and creates the illusion of a fuller pout. It’s a little more subtle than a dermal filler and provides shape and enhancement with a relatively small amount of tox. This technique is also great for balancing out a gummy smile by relaxing the lip and hiding a bit more gum.

Botox for Bunny Lines

Bunny lines are those little lines on either side of your nose when you wrinkle it, laugh, or smile. The name sounds cuter than ‘crows feet’ but these lines can still be problematic for people. If you feel the little lines age you and you’d like them softened out, Botox can help!

Many people only think of the forehead region when getting Botox, but it can work in other areas like this too. Small injections on either side of your nose relaxes the muscles and keeps these lines from getting worse.

Interested in reaping the benefits that ‘off-label’ Botox can provide? Book an appointment  at Polished Med Spa and we can see if an alternative use of a tox is right for you!

XO, Lauren