We all know how Botox injections can help with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. But did you know that Botox can actually help you combat other ailments and some annoying, yet normal, bodily issues? Everything from migraines to armpit sweat can be somewhat deterred after an injection of the famed Botox – and you’ll get that added benefit of clearing up wrinkles, too. Sounds like a win-win, right? We sat down with Dr. Jack Hensel of Lowcountry Plastic Surgery Center to find out a bit more about Botox, how it works and how it helps defy the signs of age.
Q. HealthLinks: What is Botox?
A. Dr. Hensel: “It is a neurotoxin produced by a bacteria called clostridium botulinum. It prevents the release of neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which prevents contraction of the muscle.”
Q. HealthLinks: How does it help cosmetically?
A. Dr. Hensel: “It prevents contraction of the muscle, which helps give a more relaxed appearance by decreasing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”
Q. HealthLinks: How often do people have to go back for more injections?
A. Dr. Hensel: “For treatment of facial areas like crow’s feet, forehead lines and glabella, which is the area in between the eyebrows, you should come back in every three to four months for treatment. Sweat glands — about once a year, so it varies on what you are actually treating.”
Q. HealthLinks: What else can Botox help besides clearing wrinkles?
A. Dr. Hensel: “Excessive sweating, migraines, thyroid eye disease, drooling, spasmodic dysphonia, crossed eyes, eyelid spasms, neck spasms, other muscle spasms, overactive bladder, lazy eye and TMJ. Most of the time, plastic surgeons treat for cosmetic facial treatments, underarm sweating and TMJ. We refer to other specialists for most of the other Botox uses.”
Q. HealthLinks: How is it administered for those other uses? Always injections?
A. Dr. Hensel: “It is always injected. The amount used varies by the procedure being performed.”
Q. HealthLinks: Do you get the added cosmetic benefit if you use it for migraines, for example? Will it also help your wrinkles?
A. Dr. Hensel: “Yes, of course this varies per patient, but most often this is an added benefit.”
Q. HealthLinks: Why would someone want to consider Botox if they are suffering from some of these other ailments?
A. Dr. Hensel: “Because it alleviates the issues and it is non-invasive. It is not a permanent fix, but most of the time long enough to be worthwhile. Not every person that suffers from one of these issues is necessarily a candidate. This must be determined by a professional.”
Q. HealthLinks: What is Jeuveau, the new Botox?
A. Dr. Hensel: “It is a neurotoxin which is structurally similar to Botox that was recently approved by the FDA for treating frown lines. It is the first new toxin to come to the United States in a decade. It provides yet another option for treatment for our patients and a possible savings or less expensive option with successful results. We are actually one of the few privileged practices to have already launched this product.”
