Botox injections are most widely known for their use in helping to remove lines in the face, particularly those that have developed between the brows. Many people, however, do not realize that Botox injections can also be used in therapy for certain neurological conditions and can also be helpful in preventing underarm sweat.

Reducing Facial Lines

Those wishing to get a Botox injection in order to decrease the signs of aging in their face will be glad to learn that the process takes only 10 minutes and is completely non-surgical. It takes only a few injections and results are seen within just a couple of days. To accomplish this phenomenon, Botox is injected directly into the muscle that is causing the lines to occur. Your doctor can determine which muscles are causing the lines by having you move the muscles in the area. This must be done on an individual basis because the size, location, and use of facial muscles vary from person to person.

When obtaining a Botox injection, it is not necessary to use anesthesia. The doctor may, however, numb the area with anesthetic cream or with a cold pack before making the injection. Since the procedure is so simple, you can resume normal activity after receiving the treatment. In fact, you can get a Botox injection on your lunch break from work.

When Botox is injected into the muscle, it blocks the transmission of nerve impulses. This causes the muscle to relax, which reduces or eliminates the appearance of lines. While the results do vary, most patients experience a more youthful appearance for up to four months after receiving an injection.

Neurological Conditions

In addition to being used for cosmetic purposes, Botox injections are FDA approved to treat neurological conditions such as blepharospasm, cervical dystonia, strabismus, and severe primary axillary hypderhidrosis.

Blepharospasm is a movement disorder that affects the muscles controlling the movement of the eyelids. Individuals suffering from the disorder blink frequently because of involuntary muscle spasms. Ultimately, it can lead to functional blindness because the patient is unable to open his or her eyes for a significant period of time. 75% of blepharospasm patients are female with the average age of onset being 56. Injecting Botox into the affected eye muscles relieves the spasms within just 48 hours.

Cervical dystonia involves involuntary contractions or spasms of the neck muscles, which can cause the head to tilt in any direction. The condition is generally quite painful and occurs in approximately 9 out of 100,000 people. Botox injections are used to block the nerve impulses causing the muscle hyperactivity. After treatment, which lasts for up to three months, the amount of head tilting is decreased.

Strabismus is a misalignment of the eyes where one or both eye turns in toward the nose (estropia) or one eye turns away from the nose (exotropia). It is also possible for one or both eyes to turn down or up in different directions. The disorder can occur suddenly or gradually. Botox injections can help lengthen one muscle and shorten the other in order to properly align the eyes. Typically, the results last for up to three months and can be repeated as often as necessary so long as the patient continues to respond to treatment.

Underarm Sweating

Severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis, which is severe sweating in the underarms, is also treated with botox injections. Although it is normal for the body to sweat in order to cool itself down, patients with severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis sweat far more than necessary. The problem often goes undiagnosed and untreated because people are unaware of the disorder. For patients who are not responding to over-the-counter topical therapies, such as antiperspirants and aluminum chloride hexahydrate, they receive injections in the underarm area. These injections block the nerves that stimulate the sweat glands to produce sweat.

With its many uses, it is easy to see why Botox injections are so popular in the medical field. From helping people maintain a youthful appearance to treating serious medical problems, it is truly a versatile and useful drug.