Over 15.9 million — that’s how many minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures took place in the U.S. back in 2018. Of this, almost 47% were for Botulinum Toxin Type A injections alone.
That’s more than 7.4 million Botox injections in a single year!
But with it being a “cosmetic” procedure, many assume that vanity is the main reason it’s so popular. Granted, professionally-administered Botox helps reduce frown lines and crow’s feet. But did you know that there are plenty other uses for Botox that doesn’t have to do with vanity?
That’s right! Botox injections have many medical uses, such as treating eye disorders. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Ready to learn all about what is Botox used for aside from improving skin aging signs? Then let’s dive right into it!
The earliest Botox uses in the medical world were for treating certain eye disorders. One of these is strabismus, a condition that causes improper eye alignment. In this case, one of the eyes may be looking straight ahead, while the other turns upward, downward, or to one side.
Botox injections have been a treatment for this visual problem since the 1970s. It corrects the eye position so that both eyes turn toward the actual direction the person is looking at. In very small doses, Botox for strabismus is safe even in children.
Another eye condition that Botox can help with is blepharospasm. Although a rare condition, it causes uncomfortable, uncontrollable blinking or twitching. In some people, it can even cause difficulty in opening their eyes.
Blepharospasm results from spastic muscles around the eyes. These spasms may be due to abnormalities in the part of the brain that controls muscles.
Since botulinum toxin relaxes muscles, it can help reduce involuntary muscle movement. Very small doses of Botox injections weaken the eyelid muscles. This then prevents the muscles from twitching.
Almost a quarter of all U.S. households has a member suffering from migraine. This throbbing headache isn’t only recurrent — it’s also incapacitating. It can be so debilitating that sufferers have to take sick leaves from work to stay in bed.
The good news is, small doses of botulinum toxin can help reduce migraine attacks. In fact, it’s one of the earliest Botox medical uses that the FDA approved back in 2010.
Researchers found that Botox cut down the frequency of chronic migraine headaches. Patients also reported fewer days off from work due to their debilitating headaches. More than half said they saw a 50% reduction in their headaches, while another 29% saw a 75% reduction.
People with hyperhidrosis experience excessive sweating even during days that aren’t hot. And when we say excessive, we mean abnormal amounts of sweat that soak through their clothes. They perspire so much their clothes can even drip with sweat!
As you can imagine, the usual antiperspirant products don’t do these folks that much good.
This is where Botox injections can come to the rescue. If prescription antiperspirants don’t work, Botox may be the next best choice. The FDA has approved it for excessive underarm sweating.
Off-label Botox use may also help reduce perspiration in the hands, feet, or face. Note that the term “off-label” means using any medication other than what the FDA has approved it for.
Does it seem that nature calls you every so often? If so, you’re not alone — in the U.S., overactive bladder affects up to 33 million people. Three in 10 men suffer from it, and another four in 10 women do.
Luckily, studies have found that small doses of Botox can help keep OAB in check. It’s for this reason that the FDA approved Botox for this condition back in 2013.
Botox helps by relaxing the bladder while also raising its storage capacity. This then results in fewer episodes of urinary incontinence.
Botox injections also help reduce the severity of neck and shoulder pain. These include chronic posterior neck pain and shoulder myofascial pain syndrome.
One study found that the use of Botox led to a significant reduction in patient pain scores. Patients also saw a huge decrease in the number of headaches they experienced. They also reported reduced severity in their headaches.
These improvements then resulted in higher levels of sleep and enjoyment. The participants also said they were able to do more activities. All these benefits of Botox then helped boost their quality of life.
50 million Americans suffer from acne every year. That makes it the most common skin condition in both adolescents and adults in the U.S.
If you’re one of these folks always dealing with breakouts, a tiny bit of Botox may help. Best of all, you can get high-quality chemical peels before your Botox injections. This combination may give you better results for your acne treatment.
To put you at ease, know that in one study, 20 patients suffering from acne received a single dose of Botox. It found that botulinum toxin helped lower oil production in the affected area. It also reduced pore size, resulting in improvements in 85% of the 20 patients.
As you can see, there are many uses for Botox that go beyond improving one’s appearance. While it may not be a cure-all, it is definitely a treatment you should consider for both beauty and health. Especially if you suffer from any of the seven conditions we’ve listed in this post.
Ready to look and feel better from inside to out? Then consider Botox as your minimally-invasive alternative to surgeries or prescription medications! Please feel free to connect with us now to find out more about your Botox treatment options.
