Botox is a toxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. You can get it injected into muscles to prevent them from contracting in. This “paralyzes” the muscle and prevents wrinkles from forming along with other benefits. Botox has been approved for cosmetic use in the United States since 2002 and is one of the most popular non-surgical procedures performed each year. This article will look at some of the pros of getting Botox!
Removes Wrinkles
As we age, our skin loses elasticity. The loss of elasticity makes the muscles underneath the skin’s surface contract, creating more prominent wrinkles as you get older. Wrinkles can come from other factors, too, including sun exposure! Stress and smoking also worsen wrinkles. Botox can help counter the effects of age on your skin by paralyzing these muscles that cause wrinkles. As well as stopping new wrinkles from forming, Botox in small doses can also reduce the appearance of existing ones.
Reduces Sweating & Excessive Blushing
If you suffer from excessive sweating or blushing, Botox can help. Getting Botox injected into the muscles that cause sweating and blushing freezes these muscles. Doing this reduces the amount of sweat your glands produce and eliminates redness in your face due to facial flushing (facial blushing). If you sweat from your underarms or your hands, Botox can be injected into these areas to prevent sweating as well. However, you should be aware that it can take 3-4 months and a couple of injections for your body to stop sweating as much.
Decreases Appearance Of Crows Feet
When skin loses its elasticity, it makes the skin around the eyes tend to sag and form wrinkles (crow’s feet). You can get Botox injected into this area of your face to prevent these wrinkles from forming. By paralyzing the muscles that cause these wrinkles, you can prevent them from appearing. Although Botox cannot completely remove these existing crow’s feet, it can significantly reduce their appearance and length.
Correct A Gummy Smile
A gummy smile is when the upper lip retracts over the teeth, creating a small “hole” in the smile. One of the causes of this condition is an overactive muscle that pulls up on your top lip. This causes your top lip to cover too much of your upper gums and teeth. Botox can be injected into this muscle to relax it and prevent it from pulling up on your upper lip, which can significantly reduce the look of a gummy smile.
Prevent Contractions Of Risorius Muscle
The risorius muscle is not commonly known, but it does contribute to wrinkles in some people. If you have an overactive risorius muscle, it can cause your lips to pull horizontally towards your ears. You can get Botox injected around your risorius muscle to paralyze it and prevent this from occurring. This will prevent your lips from pulling towards your ears and creating unwanted wrinkles.
Reduce Neck Bands
The platysma muscle is in the neck and can cause a deep horizontal line across your neck when it contracts. This condition, called a “neckband,” can be due to different factors such as aging, weight loss/gain, and smoking. Botox can be injected into this muscle to relax it and prevent the bands from forming. Although this effect does not last forever, Botox can reduce the appearance of bands from months to a couple of years.
Relax The Orbicularis Oris Muscle
The orbicularis oris is a muscle in your mouth. This muscle helps form certain facial expressions, such as kissing and whistling. If you have an overactive orbicularis oris muscle, it can cause your lips to pucker constantly and cause puckering wrinkles to form around the mouth. By injecting Botox into this muscle, you can relax it and prevent these puckering wrinkles from forming.
Treatment For Bells Palsy
Bells Palsy is a paralysis of the muscles on one side of your face. This can cause a droop in your smile or eyelids and affect other facial expressions that rely on those muscles. Botox can be injected into these affected muscles to restore their movement and improve your smile/facial expressions if you suffer from this condition. Although many people seek treatment for Bells Palsy, Botox cannot restore the full function of the facial muscles that this disorder has paralyzed. However, it can help restore your smile and make affected facial expressions less visible.
Help Stop An Eye Twitch
An eye twitch is a spasm of the muscles around your eyes that can cause the eyelid to twitch unpredictably. The standard treatment for this condition is injecting Botox into the affected muscle groups to paralyze them and prevent future twitching. While it does not reverse any existing damage to these muscles, Botox injections into these areas can prevent eye twitching from occurring.
Help Reduce An Overactive Bladder
An overactive bladder is a condition in which the muscles of the bladder contract involuntarily and cause frequent urination. Botox can be injected into your bladder muscle to relax it and reduce the frequency or urgency of bathroom trips if you suffer from this condition. Although this effect may wear off, consistent Botox injections can significantly improve your bladder control.
Improve The Appearance Of Reddened Skin
Rosacea is a condition that causes redness in the skin of the face. This condition can occur for several reasons, including sun exposure, stress, and alcohol consumption. Botox can be injected into many of these areas to reduce the appearance of redness on your face. Although this effect may only last for a few weeks, Botox can significantly improve the appearance of your skin.
Conclusion
Botox is an FDA-approved treatment that people use for various benefits. If you are looking for a way to prevent wrinkles, enhance the appearance of facial expressions, or improve another cosmetic condition, Botox may be able to help. However, before deciding on Botox, it is best to research its negative sides. You should also speak with your doctor before having this treatment done. They will be able to give you the best advice on whether Botox is safe for you.
