Even More Surprising Uses for Botox

Since it was first approved to treat the “11s,” the two vertical lines that form between the eyebrows, back in 2002, Botox has become an in-demand cosmetic treatment. Today, it’s not only used to ease the appearance of the frown lines, but also to erase crow’s feet and other wrinkles created by repeated movements.

Botox didn’t start out as a purely cosmetic treatment, though. It was first used to treat crossed eyes and eyelid spasms. In fact, its use as a wrinkle eraser was discovered as a result of its use for people with eye issues. More recently, medical professionals have been exploring even more uses for the injection. While the FDA has approved Botox injections for issues ranging from excessive sweating to migraines, there are a few concerns it might be able to treat, but hasn’t gotten FDA approval for yet.

Chronic Headaches

The FDA has already approved Botox as a treatment for chronic migraines, or migraines that occur on more than 15 days over the course of a single month. Doctors are now looking at the use of Botox as a treatment for Chronic Daily Headache. Chronic Daily Headaches occur on at least 15 days out of the month and can include migraine headaches. A person with Chronic Daily Headache might also get tension-type headaches, hemicrania continua, or new persistent daily headache.

Although other treatments are usually considered before Botox for people with Chronic Daily Headache, Botox can help if nothing else does. Treatment with Botox involves a series of injections in the neck and back. In some cases, a person’s headaches will resolve after a single treatment session. Others need one or two more treatments to see results. It’s also occasionally the case that a patient doesn’t see any results from the Botox injections.

Asymmetry in the Face

Botox might be a suitable treatment option for people who are dealing with facial asymmetry as a result of a neurological disorder. For example, Bell’s Palsy causes one side of the face to droop. Nerve damage might be responsible for the sudden drooping associated with the condition. Damage to the nerves can either weaken the muscles or paralyze them.

Botox can be helpful in correcting asymmetry either while a person is experiencing Bell’s Palsy or afterwards. When used during the condition, the injections can help relax tight muscles on the affected of the face. Botox can also reduce unwanted or uncontrolled muscle movements on that side. The injection can able to given on the other side of the face to control movements on the unaffected side.

Some patients notice that their face still has a bit of droop or looseness even after the condition has cleared up. In that case, Botox injections can help minimize any slackness, restoring balance and symmetry to the face.

Painful Sex

Although it’s not yet approved by the FDA as a treatment for painful sex, some doctors prescribe Botox injections to women who have difficulty during sex due to muscle spasms on the pelvic floor or due to contractions of the vagina. Both the spasms and contractions can make it extremely difficult for women to have sex. The injections help by relaxing the muscles and reducing the likelihood of muscle spasms.

Scars

Botox might be able to help reduce scarring, or at least help reduce the severity of scars, after surgery. The injection has been used after cleft palate surgeries in babies and small children to help minimize any scarring in the area around the mouth. Doctors inject the area around the incision with Botox. The injection keeps the muscles in that area from moving, which allows the skin to rest and heal more smoothly, with minimal scarring.

Cold Hands

People who suffer from cold hands syndrome can get some relief from Botox. Doctors at the Cold Hand Clinic at the University of Chicago have used Botox to help patients suffering from cold hands. People with cold hands usually have an issue with blood flow to the hands. Botox is injected into the muscles at the base of the hand. The injection helps the muscles relax, which reduces pressure on the surrounding blood vessels. Blood is better able to flow to the hands, providing relief. The treatment can last for up to three months.

Although many of the above uses for Botox are still in the experiential or exploratory stage, they demonstrate that the injectable has great promise. In the meantime, if you’re thinking about Botox to help banish forehead wrinkles or crow’s feet, call 281-810-9083 to schedule an appointment at Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique in Houston, Texas, today.