It’s surprising how many uses for Botox there actually are. Most people opt for the cosmetic purpose to reduce wrinkles, but there is so much more it can be used for! Struggling with chronic neck pain or migraines? Do you want to reduce age-related changes in your appearance? Perhaps you’re looking to accentuate certain facial features, like your lips or eyes. While it may seem like these are all entirely unrelated issues, they can all be treated in the same way: Botox injections.
Botox (a highly purified preparation of botulinum toxin A) is one of the most popular non-invasive procedures available for cosmetic treatments. Botox injections can smooth wrinkles and firm sagging skin by weakening and paralyzing facial muscles in trouble spots. These may all be aesthetic concerns, but appearance isn’t the only thing that Botox is used for. In small doses, Botox can also be used to help with certain medical conditions, like chronic pain and migraines.
Here Are The Top 12 Uses for Botox:
#1 Use Botox to Create a Lip Flip
Lip flips are one of the most popular uses for Botox at plastic surgical clinics around the country. What is a “lip flip,” you may ask? A lip flip is a cosmetic treatment where Botox is injected into the upper lip to flip the lip upwards. This gives your lips a fuller appearance and gives them a more appealing shape. Botox lip flips are a less expensive alternative to dermal lip fillers because they involve fewer units to achieve significant results.
#2 Correct a Gummy Smile with Botox
Do you find that your gums show when you smile? Many people have what is referred to as a “gummy smile,” meaning that a large portion of their gums is visible when they are smiling. While you may think this problem requires dental intervention or gingivoplasty, it can actually be treated with Botox injections. There are several different causes of a gummy smile. When the problem is overactive lip muscles, Botox can help by relaxing those muscles, covering more of the gums.
#3 Botox Can Relieve TMJ
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) is a common condition that limits the movement of the jaw. In severe cases, TMJ makes it impossible for patients to open or close their mouths.
This disorder of the jaw muscles and nerves results from injury or inflammation of the temporomandibular joint. TMJ is typically very painful. The symptoms are jaw pain, headaches, and even difficulty chewing. Botox is an effective treatment for TMJ because it can relax the jaw muscles, allowing for more comfortable and effortless motion and less tension throughout this area.
#4 Reduce the Size of Your Masseter
Botox is also a great way to reduce enlarged masseter muscles. The masseter muscles are the muscles that comprise your jawline. When these muscles are overactive (which can happen when you chew gum too often), they can become enlarged and create the appearance of a large jaw. Masseter Botox helps to reduce the jawline by loosening these muscles, allowing them to eventually shrink in size and give the face a slimmer appearance.
#5 Alleviate Migraines With Botox
As years go on, doctors discover more and more medical uses for Botox. One of the most popular medical uses for Botox is alleviating migraines, a neurological disease that often causes debilitating pain. When injected throughout the neck and at the base of the skull, Botox for migraines can block certain nerve impulses leading to pain. Botox can also reduce muscle spasms that contribute to headaches.
#6 Botox Can Block Excessive Sweating
Do you struggle with excessive sweating without exercise or physical exertion? If you find yourself sweating at times for no apparent reason (e.g., temperature, movement, etc.), you may have hyperhidrosis. Store-bought antiperspirants are simply not strong enough to treat this condition. Fortunately, Botox injections can block overactive nerves in the underarms that cause excessive sweating. It is important to note that Botox is not used to treat excessive sweating throughout the rest of the body.
#7 Reduce Forehead Creases and Frown Lines
Two of the most common age-related changes that begin to happen as early as the late 20s are forehead creases and frown lines. These areas of the face are the spots that move most freely with the changes in our expression. This constant movement eventually leads wrinkles and lines to develop from the distinct expressions that we make. Botox is an excellent treatment for both forehead creases and frown lines because it relaxes the muscles in these areas, leading to less movement and a smoother appearance.
#8 Smooth Crow’s Feet and Under-Eye Bags
The skin around your eyes is incredibly delicate and often the most susceptible to age-related changes. You may see signs of aging like crow’s feet and under-eye bags begin to develop in your early 30s, but the good thing is that you can start treating them right away with Botox injections. Botox injections will decrease the amount of movement in these areas, diminishing the creases of crow’s feet. The injectable can also create a smoother appearance under the eyes, reducing the appearance of bags.
#9 Elevate the Nasal Tip
Many people find themselves desiring the look of a slightly upturned nose, with the very tip tilting upwards instead of downwards. For some people, their nose only turns downwards during certain facial expressions. You may think plastic surgery is required to correct this. Good news, this is no longer the case! Botox is actually a non-invasive way to achieve this look. Botox injections at the nasal tip can paralyze the muscles in an elevated position, preventing the tip from turning downwards during various facial expressions.
#10 Firm Aging & Sagging Skin
One of the most common complaints about aging is how skin loses elasticity and begins to sag or droop. You most often see this around the cheeks and jawline. Botox can be used to resolve skin laxity by limiting excess movement of the underlying muscles. Without this extra motion, the skin can become firmer, tighter, and smoother.
#11 Correct Dimpling of the Chin
Another skin concern that people have with aging is the dimpling that can occur in the chin area. Dimpling of the chin leads to multiple craters on the skin’s surface, giving it a very uneven appearance. Botox injections can resolve this dimpling by relaxing the chin muscles. When the chin muscles are relaxed, the overlying skin becomes smooth and free of dimples.
#12 Botox Helps Relieve Chronic Pain
Since Botox blocks nerve signals and muscle contractions, providers can use it to relieve a lot of sources of chronic pain. For example, patients who struggle with ongoing neck pain have seen significant decreases in their neck pain after having Botox injections in the area. This is because Botox relaxes the tense muscles and blocks nerves from stimulating painful muscle spasms.
Tucson Botox Treatments at Facial Artistry & Aesthetics
At Facial Artistry & Aesthetics, we provide Botox treatments for a variety of purposes. Whether you want to reduce age-related changes in your skin or resolve TMJ symptoms and discomfort, we can help. Our team of cosmetic experts can administer Botox injections to make you feel like your best self. To learn more about our Tucson Botox services, please call us today to schedule a consultation!
