The Many Uses of Botox

As you get older, it’s no surprise that your skin begins to show signs of aging. This may include wrinkles in your skin or crow’s feet around your eyes. For some people, this is a normal sign of aging that they don’t want to mess with. But if you want to continue to look young for a long time, cosmetic injectables like Botox® can help.

At Orange Coast Dermatology, our team is experts in many different varieties of cosmetic treatments. Our practice is run by expert cosmetic specialists. They determine how Botox treatments can help you keep your skin looking young and healthy.

All about Botox

You’ve probably heard about Botox treatments, but do you really know what Botox is? Botox is actually a toxin, the same one that’s found in food poisoning. If you’ve heard of botulism, Botox is the toxin that causes that disease.

However, the toxin is formed into a drug that’s safe for you and your body when used properly. There are now several different medications similar to Botox, but the difference is in the dosing. Botox was also the first drug of its kind to use the botulinum toxin for cosmetic purposes.

But how does a drug that has a food poisoning toxin in it help improve your appearance? The toxin that’s in Botox basically paralyzes the nerve that connects to the muscle in the injected area. This blocks the muscle from receiving the impulse from the nerve, meaning it’s unable to contract. 

Without muscle contractions in your face, your wrinkles aren’t noticeable, giving you a younger-looking appearance. However, Botox has many more uses than just improving your facial appearance.

Is Botox only for wrinkles?

Botox treatments have come a long way over time. They’re no longer only used to decrease the signs of aging on your face. In fact, Botox can be used for a variety of other purposes, both cosmetic and medical.

Migraines are one of the medical conditions that can be helped with Botox injections. To help with migraines, we inject this medication into areas like the back of your head and your temples to help relax the muscles that may contribute to your pain. There are many other medical issues that Botox is used for, including:

• Excessive sweating
• Overactive bladder
• Eye twitching
• Lazy eye
• Cervical dystonia

This progression in treatment for these disorders using Botox injections is huge, especially if you suffer from them. However, the number of injections and how long each injection lasts is dependent on the severity of your condition and how your body responds to Botox. 

The same is true for cosmetic Botox injections. While wrinkles are the most commonly treated cosmetic flaw, there are many other cosmetic uses for Botox, including creases and lines on your face. In these situations, one round of injections may last anywhere from three months to a year, depending on how your body reacts to the toxin.

The benefits of this treatment

Botox is truly an amazing and innovative medication that helps restore your confidence in your looks. Not only does it give your self-esteem a boost, but it also has many other benefits as well.

First, this treatment is considered minimally invasive — meaning it doesn’t require an incision or a hospital stay. Botox treatments are administered in our office, and you can go home the same day. There is a needle involved to give the injections, but it’s very small and doesn’t cause much tissue damage.

Another benefit is that Botox, when paired with other treatments, gives you the look of a surgical facelift — without the need for surgery or anesthesia. You don’t need any recovery time from a Botox injection, making it much more desirable than surgery on your face.

Botox also helps you feel better as well. As you age, the wear and tear on your body can take a toll on your mental health and self-esteem. Botox is a relatively inexpensive way to improve your looks while also boosting your mental health. 

If you think you could benefit from Botox injections, call one of our offices in Rancho Santa Margarita and Mission Viejo, California at 346-707-8978, or you can book an appointment online today.