BOTOX is the most popular cosmetic procedure, and in many ways, it rekindled interest in cosmetic treatments in general. Both men and women love BOTOX for its injections that decrease wrinkles in the face, but did you know it has a lot of other uses as well?
Explore this popular treatment and learn ten things you may not have known about BOTOX.
-
BOTOX is a Toxin That Comes from a Bacteria
That’s right, the miracle substance that can smooth your wrinkles is a toxin that derives from a bacteria known as Clostridium botulinum.
Not only is it a toxin, but it’s a toxin that can cause botulism, a form of food poisoning that can kill you. This might have you wondering how or why it became OK to inject it into our bodies, but the reality is simple: BOTOX is only used in small doses that are specifically targeted to the needs of each patient. That’s the secret to the safety of BOTOX: A small amount of it injected into a particular muscle is harmless.
-
The Number of Men Getting BOTOX Has Risen 337% since 2000
Although men have traditionally shunned many beauty procedures, BOTOX has become increasingly popular among men who love the anti-aging properties.
For men, injections into the forehead are most popular, since they eliminate the appearance of wrinkles in that region. The most common age of men who pursue BOTOX is 35-65. Older men are expected to continue to use BOTOX since it’s the product that works best to reduce signs of aging in both sexes.
-
Even Dentists Use BOTOX to Treat Jaw Pain and Headaches
While there’s no shortage of cosmetic dental procedures that can make vast improvements to your appearance, BOTOX has also found its place in the world of dentistry.
Dentists like Dr. Ashraf of Waterloo, Ontario, are using BOTOX to treat a wide range of dental problems. Featuring an entire branch of BOTOX Therapeutics, doctors like Dr. Ashraf use Botox to provide relief for conditions including:
- Bruxism (Grinding of the teeth)
- TMJ Disorders (TMD)
- Headaches
- Various types of facial pain
-
BOTOX Was Discovered in the 1820’s By Studying Toxic Sausages
In 1820’s Germany, Dr. Justinus Kerner was trying to figure out why sausages were killing people. After naming the disease “Wurstgift,” which means “sausage poison,” he eventually discovered that a certain bacteria was to blame. We now know that disease to be botulism.
Although others died from botulism, Dr. Kerner continued to experiment with this new substance, even injecting it into himself. This paved the way for the continued study of BOTOX.
-
BOTOX Was Approved in 1978 as a Treatment for Crossed Eyes
Strabismus, more commonly known as cross eyes, causes various complications for those who suffer from it. Since BOTOX excels at numbing the muscles, it was proven effective as a drug for treating strabismus in the late 1970’s.
By making small BOTOX injections into the muscles surrounding the eyes, their distorted position can be corrected, either closely or completely alleviating the condition.
-
BOTOX Is Also Useful For Reducing Sweating
For those who suffer from excessive sweating, it causes a lot of discomfort and embarrassment, and ultimately, it’s no laughing matter. BOTOX can be extremely effective at treating hyperhidrosis. By injecting BOTOX into certain muscles, they’ll block the neurotransmitters that connect to the sweat glands, thereby stopping the sweating and solving the problem.
-
BOTOX May Be Able to Treat Gummy Smiles
As you’ve seen so far, BOTOX has a massive array of uses, and some are more accepted by the medical community than others. One that’s just recently been supported by research is the use of BOTOX to treat a gummy smile, a condition where a patient’s upper gums are shown excessively when smiling.
While the alternatives are expensive dental procedures and surgeries, BOTOX injections to certain parts of the face are able to relax the surrounding muscles, and reduce or eliminate the gummy smile.
-
Some People Inject BOTOX into their Feet or Breasts
While treating headaches and reducing wrinkles are common uses of BOTOX, there are more rare uses of BOTOX injections that some doctors are performing. BOTOX may temporarily make a patient’s breasts perkier. or relieve pain in the feet from wearing high heels.
-
Some Celebrities Have BOTOX Horror Stories
Doctors are humans, and humans occasionally make mistakes, especially when they’re not experienced with BOTOX. Even in Hollywood, there are cosmetic horror stories involving various treatments, and BOTOX is no exception.
In her own words, Dana Delany explains the ordeal she went through after her BOTOX procedure:
“Something nobody ever talks about is doctor error. Seven years ago, I had never even heard about Botox. My dermatologist was saying, “You should try it.” He injected my forehead, hit a nerve, and created a huge hematoma. The nerve has been dead ever since. It affected the muscle in my right eye, so my eye has started to droop a little bit. Now that I said this to you, everybody will look for it! I notice it more than anybody else, but I was symmetrical before and now I am not.”
-
With an Experienced Provider, BOTOX is Extremely Safe
Regardless of BOTOX being a toxin that derives from a bacteria, it should be stated that BOTOX injections are considered extremely safe. The one caveat to that is that you’re choosing an experienced provider who knows how, where, and in what dose to deliver the treatment. No matter why you’re pursuing BOTOX or where you need it most, find a qualified provider and rest assured that this investment into yourself will be a success.
Nicholas Napier is a Navy Vet and MBA living in San Diego. He works as an SEO specialist and writer while hosting the Rogue Writers Podcast. His interests include philosophy, fitness, nutrition, and martial arts. For inquiries, email Nicholas.
