Botox is the top non-surgical cosmetic procedure worldwide. At his practice in Miami, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ary Krau performs many Botox injections for patients who wish to minimize their upper face lines and wrinkles. Since muscle movements can cause lines to form on the face, temporarily freezing these muscles provides an opportunity for the lines to fade, in turn smoothing out the skin.
While Botox has FDA approval for use between the eyebrows, on the forehead and on the outer corners of the eyes, many other off-label uses also have been identified for this neuromodulator. In this blog, plastic surgeon Dr. Ary Krau discusses some of the other issues that can be addressed with Botox.
Migraines
Research has found that Botox can help to reduce the incidence of headaches for chronic migraine sufferers. Although it is not entirely clear why, the operating theory is that botulinum toxin can interfere with the pain signals that are transferred to the brain. Since injections can be placed in the same areas where wrinkles form, Botox can simultaneously be a cosmetic and pain reduction treatment.
Excessive Sweating
Botox offers relief to many patients who suffer from hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). The toxin can block the same chemicals that trigger a perspiration response from the body. A typical treatment includes about 20 injections to the armpits, which reduces sweat for about three months. Some patients have even found success using Botox on their palms, scrotum or soles of their feet. Even better, some insurance plans may cover Botox treatment for excessive sweating after more conventional treatments have failed.
TMJ
Botox can also be effective at minimizing jaw pain. Patients who deal with TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder find that Botox not only helps to block the pain signals in the jaw, but also relieves jaw tension, which can improve the mobility of the jaw.
Acne
Some dermatologists now offer Botox as a treatment for preventing acne outbreaks. They inject Botox on the parts of the face that produce excess sebum, an oil that can trigger acne. Botox has the added benefit of minimizing the appearance of acne scars: by freezing facial muscles, the acne scars do not pucker when the face makes expressions.
Schedule a Consultation
Dr. Krau is a board-certified plastic surgeon with a reputation for being Miami’s top aesthetic doctor. If you are interested in learning more about how Botox can improve your flaws — aesthetic or otherwise — please book an appointment online or by calling (305) 861-6881.