Botox – an incredible solution able to fulfill numerous cosmetic and medical goals. It helps to maintain smooth and youthful skin while also dealing with a number of muscle spasm-related problems, which, let’s be honest, can affect our life quality significantly. The most common botulinum toxin purposes (like wrinkles prevention or migraine treatment) are well known, so you won’t be surprised by those. However, there are also some untraditional uses and spots that only a few people are aware of. That’s what today’s article is about. Keep reading and learn all about the off-label Botox usage and how specialists use it in their practice.
What Does Botox Traditionally Used for?
Botox (or botulinum toxin type A) is a popular solution in the medical and aesthetic spheres. As a muscle relaxant, this product deals with numerous problems related to muscle contractions and twitching. Whether you want to deal with chronic migraines or vertical lines on the forehead – this brand is perfect for you.
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Its working principle is quite simple: after Botox is administered into the target area, it needs some time to reach the nerve endings of the target muscle and numb them temporarily, stopping their contractions for some time. One injection session guarantees up to four months of noticeable improvement, which is a significant period for those who have to live with muscle-related problems daily.
The purposes botulinum toxins products are used for can be divided into two categories: medical and aesthetic. Let’s have a closer look at each one.
Medical purposes of Botox:
- Hyperhidrosis (also known as excessive sweating);
- Chronic migraines (more than 15 days per month);
- Twitchy eye syndrome;
- Cervical dystonia;
- Urinary incontinence;
- Crossed eye (strabismus).
Cosmetic purposes of Botox:
- Forehead wrinkles elimination;
- Crow’s feet reduction;
- Aging signs prevention.
What Is the Definition of ‘Off-Label’ Botox Use?
Botox injections have recommended areas that specialists traditionally use in cosmetic and medical practices. After a lot of research, the FDA came up with a list of the most suitable regions for this type of treatment, the first ones being treating migraines, excessive sweating, and elimination of wrinkles. However, many plastic surgeons successfully use Botox for off-label zones, as this solution can help with different muscle spasm-related problems. Even though this brand is not meant for some purposes, the effect can be surprising, so many people choose botulinum toxins for off-label use.
Being off-label doesn’t mean it’s dangerous, as the procedure is always safe when an experienced board-certified professional performs it. The most important thing to provide a positive experience is to find a reliable injector with plenty of knowledge about Botox, its working principles, and administration safety zones. It is also important that the clinic uses the original Botox, which can be purchased from the supplier. Another crucial step is to create a treatment plan and schedule the appointments to support the effect for a long time.
Top Untraditional Spots for Botox Treatment
When talking about Botox treatments, the first thing that comes to mind is facial muscles contraction control to prevent lines and wrinkles. Yes, these purposes are undoubtedly the most popular, and botulinum toxins deserve their good reputation mainly because of them. Still, there are some off-label things this cosmetic procedure can help with. Below, we will mention all the essentials.
#1. Scalp
If you work out a lot, get nervous easily, or use the wrong products for your hair care, chances are your scalp is oily or sweats a lot. And, as we all know, Botox deals perfectly well with excessive sweating! With just one treatment session, specialists may provide up to three months of effectiveness and reduce sweating by approximately 50%. Scalp oil production is paused temporarily, so people experience less greasiness.
#2. Hand Palms and Foot Soles
This one is perfect for individuals tired of sweating legs and feet. While the armpit region is FDA-approved, palms and soles are less common for the procedure as they are more sensitive. However, a topical numbing cream can be applied to the target zone to minimize unpleasant sensations from the needle puncture. After the solution is introduced into the body, it pauses the work of sweat glands and stops their active contraction.
#3. Neck
With age, horizontal creases on the neck become more prominent, and skin becomes saggier. So, even if a person uses the best skincare products for their face, neck can still give away their actual age and lifestyle. To make neck skin as youthful as one’s face, a small amount of Botox should be administered into platysmal bands – muscles that become more prominent with age. This way, the area becomes smoother and flawless, significantly improving one’s general appearance. Four to six months of improvement can be expected after such a procedure, and as a bonus, a patient can also notice a significant relaxation in their jaw.
#4. Nose “Wings”
Due to active facial expressions, wrinkles can form faster on the dermis, leading to prematurely aged skin. However, Botox is one of the best preventative products known on the market! And marionette lines (or bunny lines) are among the first ones to occur, as they are mainly caused by smiling or frowning, which we do regularly. Keep in mind that botulinum toxin cannot deal with already existing creases; its main task is to prevent their occurrence. To restore lost volume in the damaged area, derma fillers would work better. Also, Botox injection can help with the slight asymmetry in the nose region.
#5. Jaw
In case your problem is teeth grinding or extreme pressure in the TMJ area, Botox cosmetic treatment can help you a lot. The product is injected into the masseter muscle to relax and make it less tense. As a result, a person may notice how their teeth become getting better, and the pain does not follow nightly sleep in the jawline. As a bonus, people see their facial oval become slimmer and more heart-shaped; that’s just the effect of released tension in the lower face part.
#6. Gums
A gummy smile is an issue that can affect people’s self-esteem when it comes to their appearances. The thing is, some individuals show too much of their gums when they smile due to the upper lip high initial location. However, there is nothing a little bit of Botox cannot change. A couple of botulinum toxin units administered into the right spots can prevent this condition. A specialist must use the correct dose because too much Botox can result in a frozen appearance. In the end, patients may expect up to four months of effectiveness.
#7. Eyebrows
Most individuals who experience facial asymmetry can say that the most prominent difference is visible in the eyebrow area. That’s why Botox brow lift is a perfect procedure to consider! A small amount of botulinum toxin should be administered to the forehead and between the eyebrows to create smoothness and raise eyebrows higher, making one’s general outlook less tired and more cheerful. A person should understand that this procedure is unsuitable for major drooping and sagging; surgery must be considered for more dramatic results. As a bonus, most patients can notice smoothed horizontal forehead lines and glabellar lines after the treatment.
#8. Lips
Before we start explaining this, let’s clarify one thing: Botox cannot be injected into the lips directly, as it’s not meant for this purpose. This brand is a muscle-relaxant, meaning it relieves tension in the target zone; however, it can’t enhance the area, restore the lost volume, or fill in hollowness. Dermal fillers should be used for previous goals, as their texture and structure were created especially for them. However, Botox can deal with the lost symmetry in the mouth region, relax the corners of the mouth, prevent lipstick lines, and wipe that upset or angry expression off your face.
#9. Decollete
The face and hands are not the only regions that can give away one’s age; because of such external factors as sun exposure, the environment, and water quality, the skin in the chest area can show the first aging signs quite early. On top of that, don’t forget about natural collagen and elastin production, which lead to excessive skin laxity, wrinkles, and dryness. By relaxing muscles in the decollete zone, people may enjoy smooth and younger-looking for much longer (≈3 months).
#10. Calves
This trend originates in Asia, where people started using botulinum toxins to make them seem longer. If administered in the calf muscle, it relaxes and shrinks visibly. The effect goes on for about six months, but it disappears faster if a person is a fan of heavy exercise. Typically, the results become more prominent after every injection session but are still visible after the first procedure.
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The Final Word
Botox is an effective product able to fulfill various medical and aesthetic goals. Its main task is stopping muscle contractions in target areas, so it’s an excellent option to prevent wrinkles and smooth skin. However, there are also certain untraditional spots that, even though not FDA-approved, can still benefit from this product. To ensure the experience is positive and beneficial, talking with a medical professional and explaining all goals is important. This way, a doctor can come up with a treatment plan for a patient’s situation and schedule the appointments correctly. That’s it for today; thank you for visiting the blog!