It surprises many people to learn that Botox® originally began as a treatment to reduce crossed eyes, called strabismus. Decades later, Botox quickly became the world’s most popular cosmetic treatment, used to treat frown lines, crow’s feet, gummy smile, and to generally make patients appear more youthful and vibrant.
These aren’t the only uses for Botox, however. Since Botox has its roots in medical treatment, it’s still a go-to option for many different conditions and concerns. At Reflections, we offer Botox as both a cosmetic and medical option for patients looking for non-surgical solutions.
How does Botox work?
The reason Botox treatment works so well for eliminating wrinkles is because it blocks neurotransmitters that normally cause muscle contractions and thus, movement. When the muscle can’t contract, it relaxes. When the treated muscle exists immediately under the skin, the skin also relaxes, and the wrinkle or line diminishes. Botox can also be used in glands and tissues other than muscle as well to block unwanted functions in the body.
This process is called neuromodulation, and it’s extremely effective. Botox and Botox alternatives are made with a strain of bacteria called botulinumtoxin Type A, which exists in very small but concentrated amounts in these types of injectable treatments. In the hands of an experienced cosmetic physician, Botox is a very safe and effective way to reduce wrinkles and manage medical conditions cause by unwanted movement or activity.
What are the other uses of Botox?
Fortunately, researchers keep finding new ways to use Botox’s unique properties to treat a number of diseases and maladies. Botox’s muscle relaxing effects have been used to treat everything from uncontrolled blinking to partial facial spasticity to overactive bladders. People with cerebral palsy often have difficulty lengthening certain muscles, and Botox treatment is used to relax and lengthen those muscles so that the patient has greater mobility.
At Reflections, we offer some medical treatments with Botox that can drastically improve the quality of life in some patients.
Migraine Treatment
Although the medical community still has a long way to go in understanding migraines and the causes, one treatment option that has been effective for some patients is Botox. During migraine treatment, Botox can be used to relax muscles that may spasm during a migraine attack and put pressure on blood vessels. Often, this includes multiple injections around the head and neck to fully treat areas where you normally experience pain during a migraine attack.
There are many different medication options for migraines, but many patients find that some of the common combinations don’t work for them for different reasons. For some patients, one single injection treatment every three months outweighs the negatives of taking many daily medications that can sometimes be taxing on your health. This option is most beneficial for chronic migraineurs who experience 15 or more attacks throughout the month. With effective treatment, it can reduce the amount of attacks each month so you can get back to the things you miss because of chronic migraines.
Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is also known as excessive sweating. Excessive sweating is often defined as sweating with an amount and frequency that disrupts your everyday life. Often, patients with hyperhidrosis experience sweating in situations where it may not be appropriate, or experience sweating in inappropriate amounts during situations where sweating is normal (like during a workout). It’s still not determined what exactly causes hyperhidrosis, but certain factors can result in your sweat glands remaining active throughout the day where they normally turn on and off. There are some genetic factors that can affect your susceptibility to hyperhidrosis, so you may have it if another family member has it.
Botox for hyperhidrosis works by reducing the activity of sweat glands in areas like the armpits. This can last for between three and six months, providing effective relief from excessive sweating and odor without the high cost of other hyperhidrosis treatments.
Temporo-Mandibular Joint Disorders
This Botox treatment can be both aesthetic and medical. Temporo-Mandibular Joint disorder (TMJ) affects the jawline and is usually the result of teeth grinding, tension, and stress. This can cause a lot of discomfort as well as less-than-ideal widening of the jawline for patients who want a slim, contoured face. For some patients, TMJ can be the cause of tension headaches and severe tooth wear over a lifetime. In most cases, TMJ is an unconscious movement and patients do it without noticing or while sleeping.
Botox for TMJ can be an extremely effective option for halting tension and movement that can worsen the condition of certain jaw muscles, providing relief. Often, this can reduce the size of the jaw muscles and slim the face where they previously cause unwanted broadness because of stress and tension. Botox prevents the unconscious ability to flex and tense the jaw muscles for long-term relief that can last between three and six months.
Why Choose Reflections for My Botox Treatment?
Unfortunately, Botox is available at nearly any medical provider’s office because there is very little regulation on who can provide it and at what experience level. For many patients, this means unsatisfactory results by untrained providers. At Reflections, we pride ourselves on offering a wide selection of Botox treatments at the hands of some of the best-trained and experienced injectors in the country. Our cosmetic physicians can create the ideal treatment plan for you based on your goals and preferences. With a less-is-more approach, we prefer to create natural-looking results that are effective and get you the relief you need. Best of all, we can recommend additional options for a well-rounded treatment plan using our expertise and selection of state-of-the-art treatment options.
Schedule a Consultation
Botox can be far more than a cosmetic treatment. To learn more about our alternative Botox treatments and your options for medical treatment, contact our Martinsville and Livingston offices by calling or filling out our online form. Our cosmetic physicians are experts in Botox treatments and techniques and can begin creating the ideal treatment plan for you during a consultation.
