6 Key Benefits of Botox Besides Treating Wrinkles
Botox, a brand of neuromodulator, works to relax the muscles it’s injected into. It is able to do so by preventing chemical signals in the muscle that causes them to contract. In the face, we know it helps to relax the dynamic wrinkles by preventing certain facial movements. There are however other key benefits of Botox beyond just treating wrinkles.
Benefit #1: Fix Facial Asymmetry
It may help with asymmetries of the mouth and eyes by inhibiting one side’s muscles from moving. Botox injected around the mouth can treat a gummy smile or make your lips appear bigger. Commonly known as a “lip flip” treating the upper lip with a few units of Botox can relax the muscle pulling down on the lip and give the illusion of a bigger upper lip.
Benefit #2: Relax Overactive Facial Muscles
Botox can be used in the jaw to slim the face and treat TMJ by relaxing the mandible muscle. The amount of Botox necessary here depends on the size and strength of the mandible muscle. By reducing the strength of the muscle, the mandible will reduce in size giving the face a softer appearance. For TMJ sufferers reducing the strength of the muscle will give relief from a tight jaw and clenched teeth.
Benefit #3: Prevent Migraines From Muscle Tension
Botox may help reduce migraines when injected in specific muscles of the face and neck by preventing muscular spasms and tension. It also can be used to treat tics and spasms by relaxing the muscle. The way Botox treats spasm and migraines is the same mechanism that Botox uses to relax facial muscles and prevent and treat wrinkles.
Benefit #4: Treat excessive sweating
Botox can be used to treat excessive facial and body sweating. Botox blocks the chemical that causes sweat in sweat glands and will help decrease the amount of sweat produced in the area it is injected. This is commonly done in the armpits and hands but can be done correctly in the face as well.
Benefit #5: Decrease appearance of pores
Botox may help reduce the appearance of pores and decrease sebum production when injected superficially without altering your ability to make normal facial expressions. While pores cannot “close,” reducing the oil production can give the illusion of smaller pores.
Benefit #6: Get a subtle brow lift
Botox can be used to create a subtle brow lift if injected at the tail end of the eyebrow by relaxing the “depressor” muscle that forces the eyebrow downward. This can subtly create the “fox eye” look by lifting the eyebrow.
Arash Akhavan, MD is founder and owner of The Dermatology and Laser Group, one of the top centers for cosmetic procedures in New York City for over a decade. Arash Akhavan, MD, FAAD is a Board Certified Dermatologist and an Associate Professor at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Dr. Akhavan is a Castle Connolly Top Doc, New York Magazine Best Doctor, and Super Doctor featured in The New York Times. Dr. Akhavan is a key opinion leader that has been featured on hundreds of media publications including The New York Times, Allure, Marie Claire, Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan, ABC News, Fox News, Fox 5, NY1, WPIX, and more. He has been featured on nationally syndicated television programs such as The Doctors.
Dr. Akhavan serves as an educator and lecturer for multiple aesthetic device and injectable companies. This allows his office access to newer technologies at an earlier date than other offices, as well as a higher level of expertise in the use of these devices. This, in turn, translates to more effective and safer treatments for our patients.
