Botox Cosmetic is a well-known, time-tested solution that smooths dynamic lines and reduces the appearance of wrinkles by temporarily preventing muscle movements in meticulously targeted areas. However, aesthetic improvements are only the beginning of this neuromodulator’s capabilities. Botox is also an effective treatment that helps many medical conditions, including excessive sweating and overactive bladder, and alleviating pain from migraines and TMJ.
At Nashville Plastic Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Cash is an experienced Botox injector who strives to improve his patients’ lives. Here are a few lesser-known benefits of Botox.
1. Chronic Migraine Relief
The FDA has approved Botox injections to treat chronic migraines for adults who experience 15 or more headache days a month. When injected into specific head and neck muscles, Botox temporarily blocks pain signals to the brain, reducing the frequency and severity of migraines. Typically, patients need a series of Botox injections every 12 weeks to alleviate migraine symptoms.
2. Excessive Sweating
Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, can disrupt your daily routine, causing discomfort, embarrassment, and even social anxiety in professional or personal interactions. Botox can inhibit the nerve signals that stimulate sweat glands in areas like your underarms, palms, and the soles of your feet. Botox for hyperhidrosis can reduce sweating by more than 85% and last up to six months.
3. TMJ and Jaw Pain
Dr. Cash will inject Botox into the muscles around the temporomandibular joint to relax your jaw, reduce tension, and alleviate headaches. This minimally invasive treatment alleviates TMJ pain and discomfort and prevents you from grinding your teeth, which can worsen your TMJ symptoms.
Botox temporarily paralyzes the jaw muscles, improving mobility and preventing forceful contractions. Typically, patients experience relief within a few days of their appointment.
4. A Gummy Smile
If your smile reveals excessive gum tissue, it can impact your appearance by creating an imbalanced appearance. Dr. Cash can create more facial harmony by relaxing your upper lip muscles with Botox, limiting their upward movement. He administers injections at the Yonsei Point, a triangular region where three muscles responsible for smiling converge.
Non-surgical Botox offers a quick and painless treatment for a gummy smile, with results that appear within a week and last three to six months.
5. Bladder Urgency and Leakage
Injecting a tiny amount of Botox into your overactive bladder will reduce the number of times you need to urinate, letting you sleep more soundly while eliminating your need for absorbent pads or incontinence medications.
When other OAB treatments have been ineffective, Botox is often an ideal solution. With results that last three to nine months, Botox can reduce accidents and improve your quality of life.
How Does Botox Work for These Conditions?
Botox derives from a highly purified form of botulinum toxin type A, which originates from the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. It temporarily blocks nerve signals that allow muscles to contract, reducing their activity. Relaxing the muscles in specific locations can alleviate discomfort and give you more control over your well-being.
Botox has earned FDA approval for multiple non-cosmetic uses. While Botox comes from the same toxin that causes botulism, its purified form meets stringent FDA standards. Additionally, the amount of Botox necessary to deliver results with these treatments is well within a safe threshold. However, you must still seek a trained, qualified provider to administer your Botox injections to avoid side effects.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Therapeutic Botox?
The ideal candidates for medical Botox lead healthy lifestyles, have realistic expectations, and live with challenging medical conditions like migraines, TMJ, and hyperhidrosis. If you smoke, Dr. Cash suggests that you quit using all nicotine products before receiving your Botox treatments.
The FDA does not recommend Botox for people with a history of neuromuscular diseases or conditions that impair healing. Neuromodulators are not proven safe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Where to Get Botox for Medical and Aesthetic Benefits
Not all Botox providers offer the same level of training and expertise. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Cash takes every safety precaution to ensure outstanding results and minimize possible side effects. When you meet with him, he will review your medical history to ensure Botox is appropriate for your needs.
Plastic surgeons are familiar with the complexities of facial anatomy and know where to strategically place injections to tailor your Botox treatment. They also know how to store and handle high-quality Botox products properly.
Schedule Your Nashville Botox Consultation Today
At Nashville Plastic Surgery, board-certified Dr. Cash is ready to help you learn about the multifaceted ways Botox can improve your quality of life. Call (615) 454-2271 or complete our online form to schedule your consultation today. Our experts are waiting to help you achieve your Botox goals!