Like most, you probably think of Botox as a mere wrinkle smoothing injectable treatment, think again! Botox is one of the most researched drugs in the world and has actually been in use for over 20 years.
For those of you who don’t know, Botox is a powerful neurotoxin also known as Botoxulinum toxin type A. Botox is used to temporarily paralyze or relax muscles. This drug has been used in Canada since the early 90’s for a number of Medical uses and was approved by Health Canada in 2001 for wrinkle therapy.
It is fascinating to think that in just over 20 years Doctors and Scientists have come up with over 50 uses for this versatile drug.
To give you better idea of how this amazing drug works and its many uses, we have compiled a list of 50 Shades of Botox:
Cosmetic uses of Botox:
1. Forehead wrinkles – one of the most common cosmetic uses of this drug. Botox cosmetic is FDA and Health Canada approved to smooth horizontal forehead wrinkles.
2. Frown lines – Another approved use of Botox Cosmetic. Often referred to as “11’s” Botox will relax and smooth-out vertical frown lines between the brows.
3. Bunny lines (Nose bridge wrinkles) – a common “off label” use of Botox. A small dosage of Botox will help smooth creases along the nasal sidewall.
4. Dimpled Chin – Botox is a great way to smooth out dimples caused by hyperactive chin muscles.
5. Chin Wrinkles – A small dosage of Botox can help to relax vertical and horizontal chin lines.
6. Eye Brow Lift – Referred to as the “non-surgical brow-lift”, Botox can be used to arch the brow and create a lift appearance.
7. Crows Feet – Another common FDA and Health Canada approved use of Botox. Injected in the outer corners of the eyes to smooth horizontal “squint” lines.
8. Vertical Lip Lines (Smokers lines) – an extremely small dosage of Botox can be injected above the upper lip to relax “smoker” or “pucker” lines.
9. Sad lines (Downturned Smile) – Botox can turn your frown upside down! Literally! Botox can be injected into the outer corners of the mouth to reverse a downturned smile.
10. Under Eye Lines – Although Botox cannot be injected directly under the eye, it can be injected in the outer corner to help minimize under eye wrinkles.
11. Horizontal neck lines – Botox can be injected into tight platysma muscles, this will release tension in the neck and reduce the appearance of horizontal neck lines.
12. Neck Chords/bands – Botox affects muscular activity and can be used in the neck for neck bands, which are vertical lines on the neck.
13. Lip Line Curl Up – Botox can be injected above the upper lip to help curl out the upper lip by emphasizing the vermillion border.
14. Nasal Tip Lift – a small dosage in to nose tip can help elevate a down pointed tip.
15. Reduce gummy smile – when injected in small amount under the nose can help lengthen the nose lip interval and reduce incisor show.
16. Reduction of a squared Jawline – Botox can be injected into the jaw line to help relax a strong masseter muscle, this in turn will reduce the appearance of a squared jaw.
Medical Uses of Botox
17. Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ, TMD) – when injected into the joint can create relief of pain and tension.
18. Migraines – Botox can be injected into the hairline to prevent the frequency of migraines and relief the pain associated with them.
19. Tension Headaches – Botox can prevent chronic muscle contraction that causes tension headaches.
20. Urinary Incontinence – Botox is approved to treat leakage of urine (incontinence) in adults 18 years and older with overactive bladder due to neurologic disease who still have leakage or cannot tolerate the side effects after trying an anticholinergic medication.
21. Overactive Bladder – Botox is approved to treat overactive bladder symptoms such as a strong need to urinate with leaking or wetting accidents (urge urinary incontinence), a strong need to urinate right away (urgency), and urinating often (frequency) in adults 18 years and older when another type of medicine (anticholinergic) does not work well enough or cannot be taken.
22. Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms – Botox can be used to treat spasticity causes by Multiple Sclerosis.
23. Muscle Spasms – Because Botox blocks nerve activity to the muscle, it can significantly decrease muscle spasms.
24. Tennis Elbow – When injected into the muscle surrounding the elbow, Botox can help relieve tension and pain created by repeated movement.
25. Bells Palsy – Botox may be injected into the affected side of the face to relax any facial muscles that have become tight, or to reduce any unwanted muscle movements.
26. Chronic Squint Eye – Botox can be used to improve the position of the eyes to help them appear more aligned.
27. Essential Tremors – Botox can be injected into the hand muscle to reduce rhythmic shaking.
28. Cervical Dystonia – Botox is approved to treat uncontrollable neck spasms or neck tightening (Cervical Dystonia).
29. Chronic Neck Pain – Botox can relieve pain caused by tense neck muscles.
30. Chronic Finger Spasticity – When injected into finger muscles, the frequency of limp/finger spasticity decreases.
31. Blepharospasm – Botox can be injected around the eye to prevent involuntary spasms of the eye and eye lid.
32. Shingles – Now in early stages of research, Botox is believed to ease nerve pain caused by shingles.
33. Arthritis – In early studies, Botox injections appear to reduce arthritis pain in the shoulder, knee and hip.
34. Chronic Underarm Sweat – Botox is approved to for treatment of hyperhidrosis of the underarms.
35. Chronic Hand Sweat – Botox can be injected into the palm to reduce excessive hand sweat.
36. Chronic Foot Sweat – Botox can be injected into the sole of the foot to reduce excessive sweat.
37. Chronic Groin Sweat – Botox can be injected into the groin to reduce groin sweat.
38. Chronic Hairline Sweat – Botox can be injected hairline to reduce hairline sweat.
39. Chronic Back Sweat – Botox can be injected into the lower back to reduce lower back sweat.
40. Esophageal spasms – Botox can be injected into the esophageal muscle to prevent contractions of the lower esophageal sphincter.
41. Excessive Drooling – Botox can be injected into the submandibular glands helped to control excessive drooling in children with neurologic disorders
42. Writers Cramps – Botox can be injected into the hand to prevent involuntary, spasmodic muscle contractions of the fingers, hand, or arm during writing or other manual tasks.
43. Tremulous Voice – Botox can be injected into the vocal cords to prevent a tremulous “jerky” voice.
44. Strained Voice – Botox can be injected into the vocal cords to relax a stained or over used vocal cord.
Dentistry Uses of Botox
45. High Lip Line Reduction – When Botox is injected under the nose, it will help lower the upper the lip which reduces the appearance of a gummy smile.
46. Denture Patients (adjusting to new dentures) – Botox can help reduce the discomfort of adjusting to new dentures.
47. Retraining Facial Muscles – Botox can be injected around the mouth to retrain patients after braces, dentures, teeth or veneers have been removed.
48. Bruxism – Botox can be injected into the jawline to prevent involuntary grinding of the teeth.
Mental Health Uses for Botox
49. Depression Treatment – Many studies show Botox can improve the symptoms of Depression. Evidence shows that facial expressions effect mood – when Botox is injected into the frown lines is disrupts the depressive cycle.
50. Self Esteem Issues – when you look great, you feel great!
Although not all of these uses have been FDA and Health Canada cleared, researches continue to find sufficient evidence to proof the efficiency of the powerful and amazing drug.
Skin Vitality is proud to be the No. 1 provider of Botox Cosmetic in Canada. Call +1-877-356-7776 to today to schedule your complimentary consultation.