Award-winning aesthetic doctor, founder of Illuminate Skin Clinics and host of Age Well the industry-favourite podcast which delivers brilliantly curated, flawlessly researched conversations on the many choices we now have surrounding ageing, Sophie Shotter is well-versed in the do’s and don’ts when it comes to reaching for injectables.
Here she offers her insight into 6 - sometimes surprising - alternative uses for Botox.
For treating jaw grinding
“Botox is a powerful muscle relaxer, which can be used to great effect to reduce the size and strength of the muscles which cause us to grind our teeth or clench our jaws. Grinding and clenching can cause pain as well as dental damage, but injections into the masseter muscle can reduce this significantly, leading to less pain and healthier teeth. As a by-product some patients see a slimmer face due to the reduction in muscle bulk.”
For slimming your calves
“Botox can be used in a muscle called the gastrocnemius which is responsible for giving the majority of the bulk to the calf. Over the course of several weeks, this muscle will reduce in size giving a more refined shape to the area. It is important that the right candidates are selected, to ensure it really is muscle bulk making the calf appear large rather than fat distribution.”
For refining and easing tension in the neck and shoulders
“Botox may be injected into a muscle called the trapezius at the top of the shoulders, which can be incredibly effective for those prone to tension in this muscle, so reducing pain and headaches. This treatment can also reduce the size of these muscles, making shoulders appear slimmer and the neck longer and more refined.”
For treating migraines
“Migraines are incredibly debilitating for sufferers, and cause many to suffer headaches on the majority of days each month. Botox can be injected into many different muscles across the forehead, the back of the head and down the neck to treat chronic migraines. In this situation it works by interrupting pain signals, rather than by relaxing muscles and can be life-changing for many migraine sufferers.
For reducing sweating
Excessive sweating is a huge issue for some people. When lifestyle changes aren’t sufficient, then Botox is a good option. It can be used to reduce the activity of the sweat glands in the armpit and it's also possible to reduce sweating in other areas like the hands and the feet, although sometimes there are other more effective (and less sensitive) options for these areas.
For boosting mood
This is a very little known benefit of Botox, but there are studies which show that Botox may have a role in treating depression. In fact, it has been shown in studies to be as effective as many commonly used medications. Particularly when used in the frown area, it is proposed that Botox may interrupt a feedback loop with the emotional brain leading to improved mood.
