As a brand, Botox has become a household name, their injections have become famous for reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles for anyone that uses the product. Botox injections have been featured both on TV and in movies. But, did you know that Botox is used for more than just keeping wrinkles at bay for several months? Botox is used as a medical treatment for migraine headaches, clenching of the jaw, and excessive sweating.

What is Botox and how does it work?

Botox is a neurotoxin derived from botulinum toxin, this toxin is also the cause of botulism. Even though Botox is a toxin, it is safe if administered correctly by a trained medical practitioner. Botox injections are created using very small amounts of botulinum toxin mixed with saline.

A Botox injection will temporarily paralyze muscles by blocking signals from the nerves. For our muscles to work, our nerves release a chemical (acetylcholine) which signals our muscles to contract. Botox prevents our nerves from releasing acetylcholine, which effectively blocks the signal sent from our nerves to the muscle to contract.

Botox was originally created as a cosmetic treatment, the injection is efficiently able to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles by temporarily paralyzing the muscles around the eyes, the forehead, corners of the mouth and around the chin. However, Botox is also used to treat several medical conditions that are related to muscles.

How Does Botox Stop Excessive Sweating?

As a neurotoxin, Botox assists in reducing sweating by blocking the nerve signals that activate your sweat glands. As your body temperature rises, your body will try and cool itself off by sweating. This is triggered by nerves that activate your sweat glands. Excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis is caused by overactive nerves. By injecting Botox in key areas, such as underarms, these overactive nerves become temporarily paralyzed, which essentially stops the sweat from forming in these areas.

Unfortunately, Botox can not stop excessive sweating all over your body, it is only effective in the area it was injected. Underarms is an area of the body that Botox has shown great success in reducing sweat, it also happens to be one of the major trouble zones for people that suffer from hyperhidrosis.

The injection application is a fairly simple procedure completed right in the doctor’s office. There isn’t much you need to do to prepare for the procedure. Speak with your physician before the procedure for any guidelines they have and be sure to let your doctor know of any medication you are on prior to your injections.

It will typically take several days for you to begin noticing the reduced sweat, and up to two weeks for complete dryness. The procedure is temporary and can last anywhere from three to twelve months, after which you will need to repeat the procedure.

If you would like to reduce the amount you sweat, or if you suffer from hyperhidrosis, call Silverado Medical & Aesthetic Clinic today 403-873-8999 to book your consultation with Dr. Folake Pepple.