Not too long ago, botox was a very taboo topic; it was associated primarily with the rich, famous and incredibly vain, and was kept very much under wraps. ‘Botox? No, I just use very good skincare’, was a phrase we heard all too often.
But now the needle’s out the bag and we’ve come to the realisation that a lot of people do it, with the amount of botox procedures rising by the year. It is increasingly understood that botox can make a world of difference to a person’s appearance, confidence and even their health.
Most commonly, botox is used to smooth out the appearance of wrinkles on the face. It lasts 2-3 months therefore requiring regular top-ups, and is loved by many for its non-surgical way of lifting and smoothing the face.
But botox actually has many uses besides simply controlling wrinkles on the face, and some even have amazing health benefits.
1. It can lift your lips
Rather than opting for the (also hugely popular) lip fillers, doctors can inject a tiny bit of botox onto your upper lip border to create a fuller effect. By applying the botox here, the top of the lip rolls up and slightly out so that it appears plumper. This is subtler than the collagen injections and can also be less expensive.
2. It stops migraines
For people with very serious migraines, botox might be the solution. It is not totally understood why botox helps migraines, although the theory is that it blocks the pain signals being sent to the brain and relaxes the muscles in the head so that they’re not as sensitive to pain. Doctors can inject botox into the forehead, temples and scalp for migraine sufferers, although it is normally a last-resort treatment.
3. It can be used for a nonsurgical nose job
As we get older, our noses can sag making our whole face appear droopy. Botox can help solve this by lifting the nose, thereby taking years off. Botox would be injected at the base of the nose releasing the depressor muscle that pulls the nose downward, making the whole face appear more lifted.
4. Botox can calm excessive sweating
Like with migraines, botox can control excessive sweating by preventing messages from nerves getting into the sweat glands. Doctors use botox to treat hyperhydrosis, which is medically diagnosed sweating, by injecting into the problem area (i.e. the armpits, hands, etc). This can actually be a life-changing treatment for those suffering with the disease, who no longer have to change their clothes throughout the day or suffer the embarrassment sweating can bring.
5. It can tighten your jowls
If your jawline has become less defined, botox can be injected into the muscles of the jawbone to pull the skin up for a crisp, defined effect.
6. It can make your decollete appear younger
Age and sun exposure can cause lines to develop between the breasts for many older women. However, doctors can inject botox into the pectoral muscles to smooth out these lines and create a more youthful appearance.
7. Botox smooths the neck
Doctors can create a “botox necklace”, injecting tiny amounts of botox around the neck to rid it of horizontal lines. Botox in the neck also gets rid of cords and helps lift the face, making it a nonsurgical alternative to a facelift. However, botox is only temporary, so repeat visits would be necessary to maintain this appearance.
8. It can relieve pain caused by teeth grinding
Teeth grinding can make the jawline wider over time, but dermatologists can inject botox into the area, shrinking the muscle and narrowing the jawline. It can also make cheeks appear more lifted and relieve the pain and soreness caused by teeth grinding.
9. Botox can be used to help MS sufferers
Many people with MS suffer from regular muscle spasms, caused by too much muscle activity, such as dystonia or spasticity. Botox can help stop muscles contracting or twitching by causing weakness in the muscles it is injected into, such as in the arms and legs. Although it cannot be used to strengthen muscles, it can ease a lot of discomfort.
