Botox: Does It Have Any Health Benefits?
While we’ve previously discussed why Botox is the leading procedure for reducing crow’s feet and frown lines, many of our patients wonder what other benefits and uses Botox has.
Whether you’re planning a Botox injection routine or are curious about starting one, here are four ways Botox can be a life-changing procedure.
Botox Can Help Acne
Aside from reducing wrinkles, many dermatologists use Botox to improve acne scars. Acne scars pucker as the result of increased muscle tension. Botox can relax those muscles.
It can also be used to prevent acne in facial areas that produce more oil. While oil isn’t necessarily the cause of acne, its presence may attract bacteria. Because Botox partially paralyzes the oil-producing glands in the skin, it can prevent future flare-ups and irritation.
Botox Encourages Collagen Production
Studies show that after the age of 20, the body produces less collagen, increasing the chances of wrinkles. While many people assume Botox is a simple collagen replacement, that’s not the whole story.
One study shows that Botox actually promotes collagen production. This can make the surrounding skin more elastic, flexible, and youthful.
It May Help with Excessive Sweating
Excessive sweating, also called hyperhidrosis, has many causes, but it often leads to skin infections, increased body odor, and anxiety about physical activity. Botox may help this by blocking the nerve signals responsible for excessive sweating.
Doctors Use Botox to Treat a Range of Medical Issues
Along with the previous examples, Botox may help patients experiencing symptoms such as:
- Migraines
- Neck spasms
- Overactive bladder
- Lazy eyes
- Pain in the neck and shoulders
How Does Botox Do All Those Things?
All of these symptoms and conditions are connected by one thing — they’re partially caused by unwanted nerve activity. Fortunately, that’s exactly what Botox prevents.
Botox is made from the same toxin that causes food poisoning called botulinum toxin. In small doses, it halts nerve communication for a period of a few weeks or months.
When nerves can’t communicate, muscles and glands can’t do their jobs. While this may sound like an issue, overactive muscles and glands make life hard for people with involuntary spasms, excess sweating, over-oily skin, and a wide variety of other conditions. While Botox isn’t a cure, it can help curb the most life-altering symptoms of multiple conditions.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Botox?
In terms of dermatology, the ideal candidate for Botox is only three things:
- In good general health and not currently pregnant
- Has moderate to severe wrinkles around the face, forehead or neck
- Has realistic goals and expectations
Armed with those three characteristics, now’s the time to harness the health benefits of Botox.
At Vanguard Dermatology of New York City, Botox injections are one of our most popular and most practiced cosmetic dermatology services. We’ll not only work with you to determine how Botox can change your life but come up with a Botox injection schedule well-suited to your goals. If you’re on the fence, need more information, or are ready to schedule Botox injections, contact us today at one of our four New York City dermatology offices.