Surprising New Uses for Botox
Botox: Not Just for Frown Lines! –
Botox, the most popular cosmetic treatment in the world, is well known for its ability to reduce the appearance of wrinkles in the forehead and between the eyes. But most people do not realize that there is a wide range of other medical and aesthetic uses of Botox – some of which are new and others that have been around for a long time.
Goldenberg Dermatology has long been a pioneer of Botox usage in New York City. In this article we discuss some of the most innovative uses of Botox – beyond simply removing “frown line”.
Botox Was Originally a Medical Treatment
Botox was actually first FDA approved in 1989 to treat muscle disorders of the eye, including blepharospasm (uncontrollable blinking) and strabismus (crossed eyes). And it wasn’t until 2002 that Botox was approved to treat “glabellar” lines – those pesky “elevens” that appear between the eyebrows to make one look grumpy and add years to one’s appearance.
But it wasn’t until 2013 that the FDA approved Botox to temporarily reduce the appearance of the fine lines around the eyes that are commonly called “crow’s feet.” And, to this day, Botox remains the only FDA-approved product to treat crow’s feet!
NYC Botox for Lips
In addition to treating wrinkles, Botox can also be used to make lips appear fuller and correct smiles that show too much of the gums. While Botox is not a lip “filler” it can improve and enhance the appearance of the mouth by relaxing the muscles in and around the lips.
Botox Lip Flip
One specific type of Botox lip augmentation is popularly referred to as a “lip flip.” During this treatment, Dr. Goldenberg uses Botox to relax the muscles around the lips, which causes them to curl or “flip” outwards, making them appear fuller and larger.
The lip flip relaxes the “orbicularis oris” muscles around the mouth. When done properly, this makes the lips look larger and lengthens the upper lip – but still allows the lip muscles to retain their function (speaking, smiling, etc.).
Performing a lip flip requires skill and experience, in order to allow the mouth to keep moving properly. So, it is important to have the procedure performed by a board-certified doctor, like Drs. Gary and Kristina Goldenberg in New York City.
Botox injected into specific sites on the lips can also weaken certain facial muscles to elevate the corners of the mouth, which can improve one’s smile and help minimize “marionette” lines (sometimes called “parentheses”) around the mouth.
Botox for Gummy Smiles
A so-called “gummy” smile is one that shows too much of the gums above the teeth when a person smiles. This type of smile may also reveal little to no upper lip when smiling.
Botox can remedy a “gummy smile” with injections into puckering muscle (orbicularis oris) located in the “Cupid’s bow” of the lip. The Botox relaxes the muscle, which causes the upper lip to curl outward – revealing more of the lip and covering more of the gums.
The result is a smile that shows more teeth and less gums.
“Skin Botox” for Korean Glass Skin
Another innovative new Botox injectable treatment, which originated in Korea, is known as “Skin Botox”. This procedure is performed by treating the outer layers of the skin with micro-injections of Botox – rather than targeting the muscles of the face.
When Botox is injected into the outer layer of the skin, patients experience a lifting and smoothing of the skin in the treatment area, and a reduction in pore size, for a flawless appearance that has earned it the name of “Glass Skin.”
Skin Botox is performed using “micro doses” of Botox. While regular Botox treatments only involve three to five injections, Glass Botox involves a series of many injections that deliver very tiny amounts of Botox under the eye, and in the cheeks, forehead, and jawline.
Thanks to the pore-shrinking properties of this procedure, Skin Botox also reduces the skin’s production of blemish-causing oil and sweat – which means patients skin remains free of acne breakouts and pimples.
Botox for Excessive Sweating
A condition called “hyperhidrosis” causes excessive sweating. This problem is more than just annoying and can seriously compromise one’s quality of life. Sweat can seep through clothes, ruining them with sweat stains. And outbursts of visibly dripping sweat can be extremely embarrassing in business or social settings.
But Botox injections can block the nerves that stimulate the sweat glands. This can result in a decrease in sweating of up to 87%!
Other Medical Uses for Botox
More than 38 million people in the United States suffer from migraine headaches – which can range from mild to crippling levels of pain. Many physicians are now administering Botox injections as a way to relieve chronic migraine pain. The Botox injection inhibits the body’s production of acetylcholine, a chemical neurotransmitter that is believed to be responsible for migraine pain.
Overactive bladder is a condition that causes sudden and frequent urges to urinate, that can result in embarrassing incontinence. In many case medications can be prescribed to relax the bladder. However, if medications are ineffective, doctors now use Botox to relax the bladder and reduce episodes of urge urinary incontinence.
Individuals who have stiff or tight muscles have also found relief with Botox injections. In fact, Botox was FDA approved as far back as 2000 to treat severe neck muscle spasms. This treatment can provide relief from chronic neck and shoulder pain.
In even more surprising news, Botox is also being studied by its manufacturer for use in treating premature ejaculation in men, depression, and abnormal heartbeat patterns. While these uses are not yet FDA approved, preliminary clinical research shows that these treatments may be promising in the future.
Best Botox – New York City
Doctor Gary Goldenberg is a board-certified New York City dermatologist, and an experienced Botox specialist. He will take the time to understand your appearance goals, assess your skin condition, and develop a treatment plan makes you look years younger in a natural way.
Schedule a consultation at Goldenberg Dermatology in New York City to see if Botox, or another aesthetic or anti-aging procedure, is right for you!
