You may know of Botox (medically referred to as botulinum toxin) as exclusively being an effective treatment for the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles.
But did you know that it can also be used to treat excessive sweating and migraines? It may come off as surprising to you but Botox is in fact a very versatile treatment that has many applications both cosmetically and medically.
Five Interesting Facts About Botox You May not Know
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Botox Was Discovered in the 1800s After Investigating Food Poisoning
Dr. Justinus Kerner, a German physician and poet, discovered botulinum toxin by chance when investigating undercooked sausages that led to numerous food poisoning cases in the 1800s. Being the dedicated physician that he was, Dr. Kerner then chose to inject himself with the toxin to better understand its effects and its role in food poisoning.
However, it was not until the late 1980s that the toxin’s muscle-relaxing ability was discovered, which meant that it could be used for reducing contraction-induced fine lines and wrinkles, thereby giving rise to the cosmetic procedure more commonly known today as Botox.
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It Can Be Used to Treat eExcessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)
If you suffer from hyperhidrosis, Botox may be a viable treatment for you thanks to its muscle-relaxing effect. Patients with hyperhidrosis typically have overactive sweat glands — to help overcome this, Botox injections are delivered to the areas of the body most vulnerable to sweating in order to switch off the glands responsible for producing sweat.
This is a straightforward process that is usually performed as an outpatient procedure and has no downtime for recovery.
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It Is Effective in the Treatment of Migraines
Botox can be used to treat chronic migraines since the toxin also works to prevent the transmission of pain signals to the brain by blocking the path of neurotransmitters.
Depending on where you are experiencing migraine pain, you may receive up to 40 injections in the treated area(s). However, this is not a one-time treatment since you would need to schedule follow-up sessions at least once every 12 weeks.
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Botox Is an Experimental Treatment for Cases of Depression
As surprising as it may sound, there have been many claims that Botox can be used to lessen depression. This stems from the idea that if wrinkle-causing muscle contractions were to be reduced, this would make frowning difficult and less likely to occur.
As such, negative facial emotions are avoided and individuals undergo more positive emotional experiences, thus improving their mood and relieving depression. Nonetheless, this remains a rather controversial topic which many researchers still cast doubt upon as there is currently insufficient evidence to prove that Botox is a viable treatment for depression.
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More Men Nowadays Have Started to Turn to Botox for Treatment and Require Higher Dosages Than Women
Although women have been conventionally known to turn to Botox, an increasing number of men are now choosing to undergo this procedure so as to improve their overall facial appearance.
However, since the facial structure of males vastly differs from that of females, they will usually require more Botox due to the presence of wider muscles. As such, men may require nearly double the dosage compared to women in order for results to be noticeable.
Conclusions
As the points above have shown, Botox is indeed a very versatile treatment that can be used in the application of many areas, from treating hyperhidrosis and chronic headaches to possibly relieving depression.
What’s more, this previously cost-prohibitive treatment has now become even more affordable and accessible in recent days. You could book a treatment easily from online medical platforms such as https://everhealthcareth.com/
Although Botox may seem like your one-stop solution for fine lines and wrinkles, it is very important that you consult a well-experienced surgeon first in order to avoid disappointment and achieve your desired results.
But most importantly, regardless of whatever decision you may make in terms of improving your facial appearance or overall image, it must only be done with your best interests in mind and solely for yourself, not for anyone else.