Is Botox treatment just for wrinkles?

Yes, it is true that botox can give you smooth and wrinkle free skin but do you now that it can control your migraines, stop the excessive sweating of your hands, face, feet and underarms and may be even depression? Many of you may not even know that the Botox is more than just an anti-ageing drug or cosmetic treatment. There is other FDA approved as well off label uses of botox.

Botox treatment for preventing migraines and headaches

The botox for migraines treatment is an FDA approved for the chronic migraines and headaches. Botox when injected relax the muscles that are compressed causing nerve irritation that is responsible for generating headaches. It is though that chronic migraines are triggered by the irritation of the nerves, by injecting botox the traction of nerves reduce causing less irritation. This leads to decrease in the severity and frequency of migraine headaches (it is not possible to completely wipe them out).

Though botox injections for migraines are effective but they are not meant for everyone suffering from migraines. Patients should undergo a complete neurological check-up before undergoing botox treatment. Botox is not for benign migraine headaches. It is better to approach a neurologist for botox migraine treatment.

The treatment is effective and safe yet temporary. The results also take 2-3 months to show up so immediate relief is not likely to be expected. Repeat treatment is required as the effects of botox are temporary which wears off in about 3 – 6 months. There are certain side effects including weakness of muscles, swelling, bruising and headaches which usually goes away in few weeks. 

Botox for hyperhidrosis treatment 

It is another effective and safe use of botox that is approved by FDA. The most common area treated body area treated with Botox or Dysport or Xeomin for hyperhidrosis is underarms. The body areas usually affected by hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) are underarms, feet, palms and face. It is a medical condition that occurs without any apparent cause. Botox works by inhibiting the activity of eccrine glands that produce sweating. Botox may reduce the amount of sweating but it may not work on controlling the smell so you may still need to apply deodorant or anti-perspirant.

The effects of the Botox treatment for hyperhidrosis are temporary and usually last for about 3-6 months. The patient needs to have repeat botox treatment to keep excessive sweating at bay. The treatment has temporary side effects such as discomfort and weakness of the surrounding muscles which usually wears off in few days after the treatment.

A recent approach: Botox for depression

Botox has been in use for treating the frown lines on forehead, between the eyebrows and above the nose. According to the results of the research study, when the patients were injected for the treatment of these lines and wrinkles, the patients reported positive effects on their mood. But this still needs to be taken further and verified by more research studies to support these findings.

Thus, botox is not just a go for wrinkles; it can solve your problem of excessive sweating, disturbing migraines and headaches and may be depression in near future.