When most people hear the word Botox, they immediately associate it with wrinkle reduction and facial aesthetic. Most people know that Botox is famous for helping them smooth out wrinkles and look younger. It is not widely known that Botox has been used for years in medicine to treat several unrelated conditions. At Rejuvenation Aesthetic Academy, learning cosmetic injections is just the start of what we teach. We make sure our students understand how this powerful neurotoxin is used in medicine to benefit millions around the world.
What Is Botox, really?
Botox is the brand for a purified protein called botulinum toxin type A which relaxes muscles by interrupting signals from nerves. While it softens the muscles that cause wrinkles, it also has confirmed benefits for health. In fact, one of the first FDA-approved reasons for using Botox was to address uncontrollable muscle spasms and brain related conditions. Anyone who works at the link between medicine and aesthetics needs to know the science behind Botox.
Medical Conditions Treated with Botox
Doctors commonly use Botox to treat people with chronic migraines. Given clearance by the FDA in 2010, it is injected around muscle areas in the head and neck to help ease migraines for some patients. Many patients with more than 15 monthly headache days feel a lot better after starting treatment.
Botox is also often used to treat people with hyperhidrosis which means excessive sweating. Treatments with Botox include the underarms, palms, feet or scalp to quiet the nerves affecting the sweat glands. If a patient can’t find success with topical treatments, this method can really change their experience.
Botox is also given to address symptoms of TMJ disorders and jaw tension. For such patients, injections help to relieve jaw muscles that cause jaw pain, teeth grinding or unevenness in facial features. Many people who have surgery benefit from its healing qualities and changes to their appearance.
Botox is often used to manage overactive bladder by relaxing the bladder muscle and reducing urges as well as leakage. Many people are advised to use it if other medications don’t help.
The first uses for Botox in medicine were for the conditions blepharospasm (uncontrolled eye twitching) and strabismus (crossed eyes). Early victories in treating neuromuscular disorders led to the broad research and uses we see today, in medicine and cosmetic procedures.
Why This Matters in Training
It’s more than additional knowledge when you learn about Botox and its medical uses—it helps you succeed in the field. We believe that gaining an overall perspective of Botox use encourages our students to practice with more confidence and honesty.
Knowing about these therapeutic uses helps students talk knowledgeably with patients, suggest referrals as needed and possibly create additional services as they progress. What’s more, being skilled with these applications depends on having a strong foundation in functional anatomy which we teach extensively. We go beyond teaching students injection points and also teach them the need behind their actions.
Final Thought: A Tool for More Than Beauty
The range of what Botox can do is an exciting aspect for those making use of it. Even though plastic surgery aims to improve looks, it’s also shown to effectively treat serious diseases. No matter if someone wants less crow’s feet or relief from long-lasting migraines, using Botox can help greatly enhance their life.
Someone who wants to try Botox should look for a truly great injector and that means being aware of all the different things Botox is capable of.
If you are prepared to start learning about both the art and science of Botox, please check out our training options. Our practical sessions are created to help you succeed in both beauty and advanced medical science.
