The Many Benefits of Botox Injections

Botox is used for many cosmetic and medical reasons. Botox is made from the bacteria that causes botulism, or food poisoning. This tends to give Botox a negative connotation when people think of using it. There are risks of Botox injections, and your dermatologist can go over these with you as they relate to your treatments, but it is safe when administered correctly. From a cosmetic standpoint, the benefits of Botox injections include helping to reduce wrinkles and giving lips a fuller look. Other reasons to use Botox are for medical reasons. Health benefits of Botox treatments can include:

1. Relief from Migraines

If you suffer from migraines, you probably know how debilitating they can be. Botox treatments are commonly prescribed for patients who live with chronic migraines. Botox works as a muscle relaxant which is usually given before a migraine begins. Relaxing the muscles in your head and neck reduces or stop your migraines from happening before they start. Botox also works as a chemical block against pain. Repeat treatments are necessary to keep migraines from reoccurring.

2. Control Incontinence

Botox injections are frequently used to control incontinence due to bladder dysfunction. Botox treatments for incontinence focus on the bladder spasms that cause the leakage. Relaxing the muscles of the bladder reduces the frequency of incontinence in most people. As with most Botox treatments, multiple injections are necessary to keep your incontinence under control.

3. Reduce Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating)

Hyperhidrosis, or excessive, uncontrollable sweating can be one of the most embarrassing experiences you go through. This can be caused by disease, hereditary, infection, or many other reasons. Botox injections can help alleviate your sweating by interrupting the sweat glands before they can produce sweat. Botox injections are usually given in the underarms for best results from that area. Multiple treatments will likely be necessary, depending on the reason for your diagnosis of hyperhidrosis.

4. Correct Eye Problems

Fairly recently, Botox treatments have been used successfully to treat eye problems that include strabismus (crossed eyes), blepharospasm (eyelid twitching), and diplopia (blurry vision). Treatments might be needed every few months until your eye health becomes reduced to an acceptable degree or is gone completely. If an underlying health issue is the reason for your eye problem, you will likely no longer need Botox treatments once the initial diagnosis is adequately treated or cured.

5. Alleviate Musculoskeletal Pain

Various types of musculoskeletal pain are some of the most common reasons for Botox injections. Neck and back pain caused by stress or disease can often be eased with Botox to relax muscles so that they no longer cause pain. Inflammatory conditions that have had positive results from Botox treatments include osteoarthritis, lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), and other forms of joint pain.

Call our office today at Southeast Dermatology Specialists to set up an appointment for a consultation. Our dermatologists are here to help you with many of the issues that can be treated with Botox injections.