A Complete Guide to Botox – Not just for Wrinkles
When people think of Botox, they tend to naturally associate it only with cosmetic treatment for things such as wrinkles. However, this is not the case.
Botox can be used to treat a number of things, including excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), teeth grinding and clenching, chronic migraines, as well as jaw pain and facial tension. Such treatments can help you look and feel your best this summer.
Sweating Hyperhidrosis Treatment
Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition defined by excessive sweating that exceeds the body's requirements for normal temperature regulation. This condition can occur in multiple areas of the body, such as the underarms, palms, feet, and forehead.
Botulinum toxin is widely recognised for its therapeutic benefits and has been used successfully in the field of aesthetics for several years. These Botox injections work non-invasively by blocking the chemical signals that stimulate sweat glands, reducing their activity and minimising sweating in the treated area.
· Underarms: Excessive sweating in the underarms can lead to discomfort, odour, and potentially social anxiety. Botox injections can effectively reduce the above, providing long-lasting relief.
· Palms: Sweaty palms can interfere with daily activities and cause embarrassment in social and professional settings. Treatment can help control excessive sweating, allowing confident handshakes to be exchanged.
· Feet: Hyperhidrosis in the feet can lead to uncomfortable foot odour as well as an increased risk of fungal infections. Injections can minimise sweat production, providing you with dry and more comfortable feet. This can be a life saver on any long-haul flights you may be catching this summer!
· Forehead: Excessive forehead sweating can be particularly bothersome, disrupting makeup on your face, and can contribute to acne breakouts, particularly in areas where sweat is trapped or where friction occurs. Botox treatment can help reduce sweating in this area, ensuring a fresh and dry appearance.
Treatment time: 30 minutes
Recovery: Immediate
Best Results: 2 weeks, lasting 6-12 months
Masseter Botox Treatment
The masseter muscle is one of the 4 muscles responsible for chewing and is interestingly the strongest muscle in the body relative to its size, allowing high forces to produce a very powerful bite!
Botox treatments to the jaw muscles (masseters) are used to reduce the nerve supply to the muscle and make them less active. This procedure can treat teeth grinding, jaw clenching (bruxism) or pain, facial tension and associated migraines. Masseter Botox can also help jaw contouring, so it can help cosmetically as well as practically.
Treatment time: Roughly 30 minutes
Recovery: Immediate
Best Results: 2-3 weeks, lasts 4-6 months
Anti-Wrinkle Treatments
· Forehead Lines: Smooth away the horizontal lines that appear on your forehead.
· Frown Lines: Address the deep vertical lines between your eyebrows, commonly known as frown lines or "11" lines.
· Crow’s Feet: Soften the fine lines that radiate from the corners of your eyes.
· Brow Lift: Achieve a subtle lift of the eyebrows.
· Bunny Lines: Minimise the lines that appear on either side of your nose when you scrunch it.
· Gummy Smile: Reduce the visibility of excessive gum tissue when you smile.
· Lip Lines: Soften the fine lines and wrinkles around your lips, also known as smoker's lines or lipstick lines.
· Lip Flip: Relax the muscle that surrounds your lip, pulling back the top lip slightly. This can also be an alternative to lip filler as it makes your lips appear fuller.
· Neck Bands: Address the vertical lines and sagging skin that can develop in the neck area.
Treatment time: Roughly 30 minutes
Recovery: Nearly always immediate
Best Results: Between 2-4 weeks, lasting 3-6 months (dependent on which treatment and area is selected)
Aftercare
Things to avoid post-treatment to reduce chances of bruising and infection:
· Massaging the area
· Wearing makeup
· Drinking alcohol
· Strenuous exercise
· Hot showers/Saunas