Med Spa & Aesthetic Treatments

11 Benefits of Botox

benefits of botox

If you’ve been thinking about getting Botox, you’re not alone. According to The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, it was the most popular non-invasive procedure performed in 2020. It’s not a favorite among women only. The term “Brotox” was coined because many young men are getting Botox too.

The fascinating thing about Botox is it’s not only used as a cosmetic option. There are many other benefits of Botox that come from using it as well. So, whether you want to achieve better skin or you’re curious about other ways that Botox can help you, here are 11 things that might surprise you about it.

What Is Botox?

Even if you’ve heard of Botox before, you might wonder what it is. An active ingredient in Botox comes from a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum. Believe it or not, this bacterium is what causes botulism (food poisoning).

However, Botox is made in a lab. It is generally safe so long as it’s administered by a licensed healthcare professional.

How Does Botox Work?

The way that Botox works is when it’s injected into your system (via a thin needle), it blocks nerve signals to your muscles. This prevents muscles from contracting and creates a relaxed look and feeling.

Botox is best-known for cosmetic purposes but it is used for several medical reasons too. As far as the benefits that come from using Botox, there are several.

Benefits of Botox

1. Botox Can Soften the Appearance of Wrinkles

If there are fine lines and wrinkles on your face, Botox can help. When it’s injected in small quantities, it will relax your face muscles. That will cause the overlying of your skin to appear smoother which will soften your lines.

If you want the benefits of Botox but you’re shy about needles, there is an alternative. It’s called Ultratherapy and it’s non-invasive. During this procedure, laser beams are directed at the skin with the help of a special hand device.

Ultratherapy can give you similar results to Botox, but it takes a few weeks to notice. You will also need to book several appointments. (Botox will give you instant results after only one appointment.)

If you’re looking for effective wrinkle reduction techniques, Botox and Ultratherapy are both great choices.

2. Botox Can Soften the Appearance of Scarring

Speaking of achieving better skin, Botox can be used to treat hypertrophic scars. Those are thick, raised scars that come from surgeries, burns or some sort of skin trauma. Botox lessens the appearance of these scars by inhibiting the inflammation that causes them.

Some studies show that Botox can help to smooth out keloid scarring too. But if you have keloid-prone skin, you should discuss that with your healthcare provider first.

3. Botox Can Help to Treat Androgenetic Alopecia

Botox can also help with certain types of hair loss including androgenetic alopecia. Another name for it is male-pattern baldness although it’s a type of alopecia that affects both men and women.

The way Botox works is it temporarily “paralyzes” the muscles in your scalp. This stimulates blood flow so that your hair follicles can receive the nutrients that they need. Healthy hair follicles are the foundation for healthy hair.

4. Botox Can Reduce Migraine Discomfort

As you’re about to see, the benefits of Botox are helpful in ways that go beyond cosmetic purposes. If you’ve been diagnosed with migraines, your doctor may prescribe Botox injections.

The belief is Botox blocks the neurotransmitters that send pain signals to your brain. That way, those transmitters cannot reach your head and neck and cause migraine-related discomfort.

5. Botox Can Lessen Joint Pain

Just like Botox can relax the muscles in your face and on your scalp, it can do the same for the rest of your body. Whenever it blocks nerve signals to any of your muscles, they are not able to contract. For this reason, Botox is effective at reducing joint pain.

One study of 54 patients revealed that 71 percent of them felt less pain in their joints after receiving a Botox injection. Botox is especially effective at treating osteoarthritis.

6. Botox Can Stop Excessive Sweating

Focal hyperhidrosis is a condition that can be genetic. It’s what happens when you sweat excessively.

Botox can help with this because it is able to block the nerves that respond to sweat glands. When that happens, you produce less sweat.

7. Botox Can Bring Relief to an Overactive Bladder

Overactive bladder (OAB) is what happens when you’re unable to control your urge to urinate. It can result in you urinating eight or more times a day. It’s usually caused by involuntary bladder contractions.

If forms of exercise therapy or medications are proven to be ineffective, Botox can help to remedy the matter. Local anesthesia is put into a catheter to numb the lining of your bladder. Then Botox injections are administered to stop the bladder contractions.

8. Botox Can Give You Almost Immediate Results

One of the best benefits of Botox is you don’t have to wait forever to see its results. One shot (to the places where you need it) can almost instantly soften your lines and wrinkles. However, you may need to wait three to seven days to see full results.

Medical Botox may take up to a week to feel its effects. Make sure that you avoid consuming alcohol after the first week of the procedure. Alcohol can thin out your blood and prolong the outcome of your injections.

9. Botox Is Lasting

Another awesome thing about using Botox as a form of skin therapy is it lasts for a good amount of time. On average, one visit can last for three to four months. This applies to cosmetic and medical Botox.

It is a good idea to keep in mind that after your first visit, the effects may fade quicker (two months). By your second visit, they should last longer.

10. Botox Is (Relatively) Affordable

Out of all the injectable options available, Botox is affordable. Botox comes in vials of 50 and 100 units and the price varies based on where you live.

If you’re in a major city like Los Angeles, Botox may cost $25 per unit. If you live in a smaller one like Cincinnati, the price on Botox may be $10 a vial.

The main thing to keep in mind is the cost depends on the area of the body that you want to treat. Typically, one cosmetic appointment will run you a couple of hundred dollars. It’s important to note that if you’re using cosmetic Botox, your insurance doesn’t cover the costs.

11. Getting Botox: It Can Be Natural-Looking

If after reading this, you might be more interested in Botox than ever. At the same time, you may wonder if cosmetic Botox is going to cause your face to “freeze up”. If you’re worried that the injections will affect your facial movements, there’s something called Baby Botox (or barely-there) Botox.

It’s when a smaller amount of Botox is administered to give your face a fresh-not-frozen look. This is a great alternative if you want more natural-looking results.

Does Botox Have Any Side Effects?

As you can see, getting Botox is a great self-care option. It’s still important to take note of some of its potential side effects. They include:

  • Mild bruising
  • Irritation and/or redness at the injection site
  • Nausea
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Sensitivity to light

Who Is Not a Good Candidate for Botox?

It can’t be said enough that Botox is relatively safe. Still, there are some people who should look for an alternative to it:

  • Pregnant woman
  • Breastfeeding women
  • People under the age of 18
  • People with neuromuscular disorders like ALS
  • Individuals who are allergic to Botox

How Should You Prepare for a Botox Appointment?

Now you know more about Botox, its benefits, and potential side effects. If you’re wondering what you should expect from your appointment, it’s simple:

  • There is mild discomfort from the injection(s)
  • If Botox is for pain management, you may be given mild anesthesia
  • It is an out-patient procedure

Just make sure that you don’t consume alcohol 24 hours before your appointment. Also, avoid taking any blood-thinning medication. They increase your chances of bruising.

What Should You Do Following the Procedure?

After getting Botox, you can immediately return to work or go on with your daily plans. However, please keep the following things in mind:

  • Do not apply any pressure to the injection site for 12 hours
  • Remain upright for the following four to six hours
  • Do not exercise or physically exert yourself for the next 24 hours

Experience the Benefits of Botox for Yourself

If you’re certain that you want to have a Botox procedure and you’re in our area, we’d be happy to talk to you about experiencing the benefits of Botox. Our team has over 20 years of combined experience and we’re passionate about providing the best in skin therapy.

Please feel free to give us a call at 859-344-3250. You can also email us at info@zerogravitynky.com. We can answer any questions you might have or book your appointment.

What are you waiting for? You’re just a moment away from achieving better skin!