There’s More to Botox Than Meets the Crow’s Feet

There's More to Botox Than Meets the Crow's Feet 2

You know Botox as the eraser of crow’s feet, the 11s, and forehead lines here at Northcoast Laser Cosmetics. But Botox has a far longer list of uses, some which may really surprise you. Many people don’t know that Botox is used for other problems, but this neuromodulator received its first FDA approval not for wrinkles, but to stop involuntary eyelid spasms.

Since Botox is a popular mainstay with our Northcoast Laser Cosmetic patients, here’s some more information about it.

The origins of Botox

Clostridium botulinum is the organism from which Botox is derived. That’s the bacterium that causes botulism in humans. It can be found in its inactive form all through the natural environment, including in cultivated soil and in forest soil, and in the sediment of lakes, streams, coastal, and untreated waters.

Medicinal uses

Long before anyone had heard of Botox it was being used medicinally. After it was found that the botulinum toxin type A, when injected in very small amounts, could make muscles temporarily stop contracting it was tried in various capacities. It is now used for the following therapeutic applications:

  • Strabismus (crossed eyes)
  • Blepharospasm (involuntary eyelid spasms)
  • Chronic migraine headaches
  • Idiopathic rotational cervical dystonia (severe neck and shoulder muscle spasms)
  • Severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
  • Post-stroke upper limb spasticity
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Overactive bladder
  • Hemifacial spasm

It is also used “off-label” for:

  • Achalasia (esophageal problems creating difficulty swallowing)
  • Sialorrhea (hypersalivation)
  • Allergic rhinitis
  • Hepatopancreatic dysfunction
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Oromandibular dystonia (forceful contraction of the jaw, face, and/or tongue)
  • Laryngeal dystonia (forceful contraction of the vocal cords)

And more

More than six million Botox treatments are given each year, far and away the most of any cosmetic procedure of any type. That’s a lot of muscles being temporarily paralyzed!

Although Botox is by far the most popular brand, the botulinum toxin is also sold commercially under these other brand names: Vistabel, Dysport, Bocouture, Xeomin, and Myobloc.

Now that you know everything about Botox, is it time to erase your crow’s feet? Call us at Northcoast Laser Cosmetics, (440) NEW FACE to make your appointment.