Botox® is the most popular nonsurgical cosmetic treatment in the United States. It’s no wonder when someone mentions Botox, the first thought is wrinkles.
But Botox does more than smooth out facial lines and creases. In fact, wrinkle reduction was accidentally discovered by a physician who was using the injection to treat a medical condition involving the eyes.
At Montclair Rejuvenation Center in Verona and West Caldwell, New Jersey, under the medical supervision of Dr. Kelly Distefeno, our experienced team of aesthetic professionals uses Botox for more than facial rejuvenation.
Here, we want to tell you about the history of Botox and share some of its other uses.
Botox is the brand name for a purified strain of botulinum toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum.
Scientists first isolated the toxin in the 1940s to study its actions. In the 1960s, the scientists discovered that the toxin had the ability to stop muscle movement (paralysis), which inspired an ophthalmologist to use the toxin to treat strabismus, a visual condition in which the eyes don’t properly align.
In 1989, the FDA approved the use of the botulinum toxin for the treatment of strabismus, blepharospasm (eyelid twitching), and hemifacial spasm (uncontrollable facial muscle twitching on one side of the face).
When testing for the treatment of strabismus, researchers discovered that Botox also reduced the appearance of wrinkles in between the eyebrows (frown lines). The FDA approved Botox for the treatment of frown lines in 2002.
Researchers continued to study Botox and discovered that it benefits many health conditions. In addition to wrinkle reduction, health care providers also use Botox to:
We started out using Botox to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles, but now offer Botox for migraines.
Botox is a neurotoxin, which means it affects nervous system activity. How it works depends on its use. In general, Botox stops muscle movement or blocks nerve activity to get the desired results.
For wrinkles, Botox temporarily stops the movement of the facial muscles that create the etched-in lines. When injected into the sweat gland under the arm for hyperhidrosis, Botox reduces gland activity and excessive sweating. For chronic migraines, Botox blocks the pain signals from reaching the brain, reducing the severity and frequency of the migraine headaches.
You only need a small amount of Botox to get the desired effects and the results are temporary, so you need to repeat the injections every 3 to 4 months to continue to get the effects you want, whether for medical or cosmetic treatments.
Researchers continue to test Botox to find other potential uses for the injection, including depression, teeth grinding, and a gummy smile.
Are you curious about Botox and how it can help you look younger or relieve your migraines? We can answer all your questions. Call the office closest to you today or book an appointment online to schedule a consultation.
