Hi ya Gorgeous,
How is your post Christmas, middle of Hanukkah, pre-New Year's Eve week going? Mine is going ...well...I'm not one to say negative things, but let's just say that I am really, really ready for 2016 to be over. Kaput!
Maybe it is this year, or my age, though I am finally ready to really consider beauty maintenance beyond just wash/scrub/treat/moisturize. I'm ready to look at microblading my brows, and some botox for the "11's" between my eyes.
When most people think of Botox the first thing that usually comes to mind is wrinkle reduction. Indeed, Botox is the world’s most popular treatment for eradicating wrinkles and fine lines.
The toxin is specifically FDA approved for treating frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) and lines around the eyes (crow’s feet). In addition to being the gold standard for wrinkle reduction, Botox can also be used to treat a variety of issues, both cosmetic and non-cosmetic.
Dr. John Zannis is a New Bern, North Carolina board certified plastic surgeon. He provides a list of conditions that Botox has been used to treat.
Acne
Botox can curb oil production, reducing breakouts. "To totally
treat acne, you'd need to use doses of Botox so large they'd prevent you
from constricting your facial muscles," says Dr. Zannis. "But tiny
amounts of Botox injected very superficially help reduce oil production, and you can
still have facialexpressions." Though he'd recommend it for almost
any patient struggling with acne, Zannis would likely advise trying another
dermatologist-prescribed treatment, like spironolactone or birth control pills,
first. And though it can technically be used to quell oil production anywhere on the
face, he cautions against using it all over because of potential effects on
muscular activity (a.k.a. frozen face). The most effective and common area for
using Botox to curb oil production, he says, is the forehead.
Gummy smile (not FDA approved)
A "gummy" smile, one that's characterized
by a smile that shows too much of the gums, usually results
from "excessive lip elevation" when the upper lip rises too far above
the upper teeth when smiling. Injecting Botox into the upper lip weakens the
upper lip's retractor muscles so that it won't raise as high and your smile
will seem better-balanced. It can be done in about five minutes.
Usually lasts for four to six months. Costs range from $200-$300.
Dr. Zannis says, "This technique is not for the novice
Botox injector. Too much, and your lip won’t raise enough, too
little and you will need more, or if injected asymmetrically, you might have a
funny asymmetrical smile."
Urinary incontinence
Overactive bladder problems affect up to 20% of women over 40. For severe cases where medications do not provide complete relief, Botox injections into the bladder wall may provide relief lasting about
6 months.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is uncomfortable, itchy, and not exactly easy on
the eyes. Luckily, this flaky skin condition could be a
thing of the past thanks to Botox. Though psoriasis is technically incurable,
Botox minimizes the activity of inflammatory cells that bring on outbreaks.
Excessive Sweating
For those who
suffer from excessive sweating, however, summer isn’t always the sunniest time of the
year. Thankfully, Botox could be a saving grace for those attempting to manage this
condition, which is officially known as axillary hyperhidrosis. Studies show
that just a handful of injections can reduce underarm sweat for up to TWO years.
Um, where do we sign up?
Breast Lift
Are your breasts in need of a pick-me-up? Instead of going
under the knife and getting permanent augmentation, some experts have
suggested a quick and easy Botox lift. Dr. Zannis says that, “Those looking for a modest improvement are said to be able to temporarily plump their assets thanks to injections into the
pectoralis minor chest muscle.”
Depression
The benefits of Botox® may be more than skin deep; two recent studies suggest that it may help
alleviate the symptoms of depression. In a study published in the May 2014
issue of the Journal of Psychiatric Research,
more than half of participants who had moderate-to-severe
depression showed a substantial improvement in depressive symptoms following one
injection of Botox® between the brows. This improvement lasts longer
than the cosmetic effects, suggesting that the effect may be more than just
feeling better about your appearance. Botox® is not approved to treat depression.
Teeth Grinding
Injections of
Botox® were used to
control involuntary muscle tension and spasms long before it
became the go-to wrinkle buster. Dr. Zannis says that, “these neurotoxin
injections may weaken the chewing muscles enough to reduce bruxism (teeth
grinding) without affecting your ability to chew, talk and smile. Results last about
four months. Botox® is not yet approved to treat bruxism.”
Migraine Headache
Botox® is approved
by the FDA to treat chronic
migraine headaches in adults who have 15 or more
headache-days a month, each lasting four hours or more. Studies that led to this
indication show that BOTOX®® prevents up to nine headache-days a month (vs
seven for dummy injections). Other research hints that the neurotoxin may
also help with low cerebrospinal fluid headaches and cluster or
"suicide" headaches.
Brow Boost
Much like lines
form over time, your brow may also
drop or droop. Botox cosmetic treatments can also be used to
improve the appearance of the brow. Dr. Zannis explains that, “the
treatment essentially freezes the sagging muscles in place and gives the brow more
stability. Lifting the brows in this way leaves you with a less tired and younger, fresher
appearance.”
Jaw Reduction (off label use)
Botox can be used to perform jaw reduction (commonly
called jaw line softening). Injecting Botox into the masseter muscle (the
primary muscle used in chewing actions) reduces its overall
size; transforming an overly square and masculine appearing jawline into a more
feminine oval or heart shape.
Dr. John Zannis is a New Bern, North Carolina board-certified plastic surgeon
and best selling author. A graduate of Stanford University and The
University of Cincinnati Medical College, he received his formal training
in General Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Wake
Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina under the guidance of
world-renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Louis Argenta. During this time, he performed
over 5,000 surgical procedures and covered all aspects of plastic surgery
including cosmetic surgery of the face and body, complex reconstructive
procedures of face and body, cleft lip and palate surgery, hand surgery, facial and
jaw fracture repair, and reconstruction following massive weight
loss. He blends his interests and studies of classical art and symmetry to his
surgery practices.
Connect with him via twitter @JohnZannisMD or
his website www.zannisplasticsurgery.com
Remember: you are beautiful! Thank you for visiting the blog and check back for promotions and beauty giveaways!
