Demystifying BOTOX®

 

By now most people have heard of BOTOX and its “miraculous” effects on fine lines and wrinkles on the face. After all, it has become the most common medical aesthetic procedure done in the US and abroad. But there are still many mysteries surrounding the procedure from its safety and efficacy to the little known situations in which treating with BOTOX is less about how it makes you look and more about how it makes you feel.

Currently, the most common use for BOTOX is tiny injections to the face resulting in the diminishing or disappearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  BOTOX works by relaxing/weakening the muscles of facial expression that cause the wrinkles that are bothersome between the eyebrows, over the forehead, along the outsides of the eyes, around the mouth, etc.

BOTOX can be used in this manner on people ages 18-65 but the best candidates are those whose lines/wrinkles relax at facial rest (meaning when they aren’t contracting their muscles in a facial expression).  Therefore, BOTOX is best done in your 30’s or 40’s before those wrinkles become more profound. As with most aesthetic procedures, treatments vary by individual but are usually necessary every 3-4 months.

While the fact that BOTOX can be used for diminishing facial wrinkles has been widely publicized, many people are not aware of the fact that BOTOX is successfully used to control Hyperhidrosis, the mechanism of action, and results for people who have embarrassing, excessive underarm sweating.  With a series of injections superficially into the dermis (skin), BOTOX will interrupt the nerve transmission to the sweat glands in the underarms.  The result is dramatically diminishing the amount you sweat.

One treatment can last on average 6 months or more.  Good candidates are those with the condition known as Primary Idiopathic Axillary Hyperhydrosis (in other words, those who suffer from excessive underarm sweating on a year-round basis with no known underlying medical cause).  These people have already tried and failed on prescription strength anti-perspirants and have had secondary causes of excessive sweating ruled out by their doctor.  In many instances, insurance will cover this procedure.  There are standard diagnosis and procedure codes used to bill medical insurance for this procedure.

Another little known fact is that BOTOX has been used to reduce the frequency and intensity of both Migraine and Tension-type Headaches on an off-label basis (meaning, not yet FDA-approved for this indication).  It usually entails a series of injections into the skin/muscles around the brow, forehead, temples, or neck/posterior head regions.  The best candidates for this kind of procedure are those who get poor relief from medications or are intolerant of the side-effects of medications for headaches, or in those whom the headaches are chronic, daily in nature wishing to reduce the amount of medication they must take.

But even with the wide use of BOTOX today, it still mystifies and many still have fears and concerns about its safety. The first issue often addressed is whether or not the treatments will hurt.  At Sōna MedSpa a physician or a nurse practitioner or physician assistant under the direction of the Medical Director administers the BOTOX.  It’s a quick, very safe procedure and there is minimal to no discomfort, as we use very small needles and administer the treatment in a gentle manner.

Another common misunderstanding is that BOTOX is actually a toxin which can lead to Botulism.  BOTOX is indeed a purified protein-based toxin from the bacterium known as Clostridium Botulinum.  But there have been no cases of Botulism caused by its use in the aesthetics industry.  The doses used for facial aesthetics and underarm sweating are too small to cause what is known as Botulism, which is an illness caused by the ingestion of the bacteria and the release of its toxin through the gastrointestinal tract.

Whether your interest is in using BOTOX for diminishing fine lines and wrinkles on the face, controlling excessive underarm sweating or easing the oppressive pain of severe headaches and migraines, you can feel confident that at Sōna MedSpa you will be treated in a safe and caring manner and that you will leave with a heightened sense of confidence and comfort.

To learn more about BOTOX and how Sōna MedSpa can help you, call 1-866-GET-SONA.

BOTOX® is a registered trademark of Allergan, Inc.

Each Sōna MedSpa franchise location is independently owned and operated. Services vary by location.

---