Botox has been used for decades in the field of cosmetic surgery and has become the must-have treatment for aging celebs and social media superstars. But there’s much more to this compound than aesthetic enhancements, as the following surprising benefits of Botox show.
1. Excessive Sweating
In 2004, the FDA approved Botox for the treatment of hyperhidrosis, a condition characterized by extreme sweating that is thought to effect 2% to 3% of the population.
Botox works immediately, paralyzing the overactive sweat glands and delivering instant results. It is mainly used to treat underarm sweating, but has also been prescribed off-label for sweaty palms, feet and foreheads, with research suggesting that it can reduce sweating in as many as 90% of cases.
2. Migraines
Last but not least, Botox could help to bring relief to over 37 million migraine sufferers across the US and has been approved as a preventative treatment for nearly 10 years!
Migraines are one of the most common and misunderstood ailments, bringing misery to millions of Americans who suffer everything from intense pain to blindness, sickness, and more. Botox works by paralyzing muscles thought to trigger migraines and it is injected into several areas of the face once every few months.
3. Eye Disorders
One of the earliest uses of Botox was in the treatment of a condition known as strabismus, or “crossed eyes”. It continues to be used for this purpose, with Botox being injected into the eye muscle to correct the alignment.
It can also be used to treat eye twitching, known as blepharospasm. This condition can cause one of the eyelids to blink uncontrollably and can be very uncomfortable and embarrassing.
4. Vaginal Spasms
For women suffering from vaginismus, a condition whereby the muscles of the vagina contract involuntarily, sex can be incredibly painful. This condition isn’t caused by any medical abnormalities, nor is it indicative of an underlying condition, but this unexplained nature often adds to the frustration for the millions of sufferers across the country.
Traditional treatments have included lifestyle changes and the use of dilators, which can take many months to deliver results, but Botox could be a faster and more reliable solution.
Botox is increasingly being used to treat vaginismus. It can be injected directly into the overactive muscles to force them to relax and to stop the spasms, making sex more comfortable as a result. Experts recommend injections every two to six months depending on the individual.
5. Granuloma (Vocal Chord Inflammation)
Granuloma is a condition that causes the vocal cords to become severely inflamed. To the average person, this isn’t a huge deal and it’s one that can be remedied with voice rest and steroids. For a singer who relies on their voice and pushes their vocals to the limit every night, it’s a potential career-ender.
In fact, it very nearly ended John Mayer’s career. He was diagnosed with granuloma in 2012 and after several failed treatments, he was forced to face the very real possibility that he may never perform again.
His savior came in the form of a course of Botox injections to “freeze” his vocal chords. This was followed by a period of several months in which Mayer wasn’t allowed to sing or speak, after which his vocal chords healed and he could pick up a microphone once more.
This wasn’t the first-time this treatment had been used, but it was the first time it had been thrust into the spotlight and it could lead to many more Botox remedies in years to come.
6. Incontinence
Incontinence affects millions of Americans and Botox has proven to be one of the most effective remedies on the market. In trials it performed four times better than nerve stimulation devices, which are one of the most common treatments.
Botox is injected directly into the muscles of the bladder, stopping them from spasming and helping to reduce the strong and uncontrollable urge to urinate.
These are just a small number of the surprising benefits of Botox. Not only are there many more benefits of Botox, but medical science is constantly unearthing new ways that this potent compound can benefit human health, both in a medical sense and a cosmetic one.
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