Aesthetics aside, botox injections have some pretty incredible benefits.
Before we get started, please note that when I refer to ‘botox’ I actually mean neuromodulators in general—not the brand Botox®. I offer my botox patients in Chilliwack, Langley and on Vancouver Island two brands of neuromodulators: Dysport® and Nuceiva.
I have personally tried all four of the top brands on the Canadian market and these are my preferred to use for myself and for my patients due the beautiful results that can be achieved. To read about my personal experience putting the brands to the test click here.
Oftentimes when we think of botox injections, our minds automatically jump to a preventive wrinkle treatment, but in actuality they can do so much more to improve our daily life. Here are three commonly unknown benefits of botox:
You may feel happier.
You know the saying: Fake it until you make it? Well, science actually supports it—especially when it comes to botox. According to the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology individuals who have had facial botox injection, which prevents frowning, saw a reduction in negative moods. Why? Because the chemical message to the brain is lessened when you can’t frown.
When it comes down to it, the faces we make daily carry emotional weight. The same way smiling more can trick your mind into feeling happier, frowning can have the opposite effect. In fact, some studies go as far as saying regular botox treatments can reduce depression.
Reduced headaches and migraines.
Did you know botox wasn’t originally intended for cosmetic purposes? Its ophthalmology roots and its therapeutic purposes that followed are often a surprise to patients today, but should not be overlooked. Regular botox injections can be an effective treatment for headaches, tension headaches and chronic migraines. If you experience headaches more than 15 days a month for three months, you’re considered to have chronic migraines—which affects three percent of the migraine population. By injecting botox to the headache trigger points such as the forehead, temples and back of neck, patients can feel up to four months of relief from the often debilitating pain. I personally have patients who report a decrease in both the severity and the frequency of tension headaches since incorporating botox into their treatment plan.
You may actually save money.
If you’ve been holding back on starting cosmetic injections because you have a fear that they are too expensive (and maybe slightly scared that you’ll get too addicted for your bank account) I am here to tell you that you’re likely spending more money right now on wrinkle creams and makeup that won’t provide you the results you’re after. When I started using botox to smooth my wrinkles, I found that I was able to slim down my skin care regime and apply far less makeup but still achieve the same results. When the facial muscles relax and wrinkles diminish, I find that my makeup application is so much smoother than pre-botox.
I also like to remind my newer patients that botox is really preventive. By relaxing the muscles before a wrinkle has formed, you can keep the number of units needed relatively low and avoid the need for other expensive anti-wrinkle treatments.
More Commonly Known Benefits and Uses of Botox
- Reduce ‘11s’ or wrinkles between the eyebrows
- Reduce crow’s feet or wrinkles around the eyes
- Reduce forehead wrinkles
- Minimize lines around the mouth
- Reduce uneven skin on the chin (“cobblestone”)
- Prevent excess sweating
- Eliminate or reduce teeth grinding or TMJ
How much is botox? How long does it last? Will my face look frozen? Can I really not drink alcohol afterwards? For how long? All of these botox frequently asked questions and more can be found here. To book your botox treatment at any of my four BC locations (Chilliwack, Langley, Parksville and Nanaimo, ), click here.
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