Millions of people undergo botulinum toxin (botox) injections every year. In Singapore, botox is one of the most popular treatments offered by many aesthetic medical clinics because it is a quick and minimally-invasive procedure that helps one to achieve more rejuvenated and youthful-looking skin. Because it is a ‘cosmetic’ procedure, many people assume that vanity is the primary reason behind the popularity of botox.
While it is true that botox injections help minimise frown lines and wrinkles, there are lots of other uses for botox that do not have something to do with vanity. As a matter of fact, botox injections can help treat some medical conditions, such as certain eye disorders. In this article, we list down some of the most surprising uses for botox that you probably did not know before.
1. Corrects strabismus
Historically, botox was first used to treat certain eye disorders, such as strabismus. The term ‘strabismus’ refers to a medical condition in which both eyes do not align in the same direction. One eye might be looking straight ahead, while the other might be turning downward, upward, or to one side. In other words, strabismus causes an improper alignment of the eyes. The most common form of this condition is known as ‘crossed eyes.’
Since the 1970s, botox injections have been used to treat strabismus. They help to correct the position of the eyes so that both of them turn toward the actual direction the person is staring at. Basically, what botox does is stop the individual muscles around the eyes from working for a while. This helps the eyes become more aligned and may even result in less blurred or double vision.
2. Keeps involuntary blinking under control
Blepharospasm is another eye condition that can be treated with the help of botox. Although it is a rare disorder, blepharospasm causes uncontrollable and uncomfortable blinking or twitching of the eyes. In some cases, it may even cause difficulty in opening one’s eyes. Usually, blepharospasm is a result of spastic muscles around the eyes, which may be due to some abnormalities in the area of the brain that is responsible for muscle control.
Since its approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1989, botox has been considered around the world as an effective treatment for blepharospasm. Because botox has the ability to relax muscles, it can help to minimise involuntary or uncontrollable muscle movement. Small doses of botox injections can weaken the muscles around the eyelids. This then prevents such muscles from twitching.
3. Helps treat hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is a common condition wherein a person sweats excessively. The excessive sweating may affect one’s whole body or only certain areas of it. This condition can be treated effectively by using botox injections. The toxin contained in these injections has the ability to temporarily block the release within the nervous system of the nerve signals called ‘acetylcholine,’ which instruct the sweat glands to become active.
As a result, botox can stop the overstimulation of the sweat glands. This is the reason why, when injected in the armpit, botox can reduce or even totally prevent sweating. While the treatment for hyperhidrosis is most commonly targeted at the armpit, it is possible for the treatment to be administered in other problem areas, such as in sweaty feet, palms, and forehead.
4. Minimises acne
Acne affects up to 88% of adolescents in Singapore, with half of them suffering from moderate to severe acne. Indeed, acne is one of the most common skin conditions affecting both adolescents and adults in the world. Fortunately, there are several acne treatments available at medical aesthetic clinics in Singapore nowadays. One of them is botox.
Besides reducing fine lines and wrinkles, a tiny bit of botox can also help to lessen acne and prevent acne breakouts. This is because botox injections are shown to be effective in decreasing oil production in acne-affected areas, which plays a crucial role in acne formation. Moreover, botox can help reduce pore size, which is essential in acne prevention since acne is often associated with large skin pores.
Conclusion
Aside from being an effective anti-wrinkle treatment, botox can be used for a plethora of other purposes, such as correcting misaligned eyes, controlling involuntary blinking, minimising excessive sweating, and reducing acne. This makes botox injections a comprehensive treatment that can be utilised to combat different issues throughout the body. Although it may not be a cure-all, it is certainly a treatment to consider for both beauty and health concerns.
For the most cost-effective and reliable botox injections to help eliminate your fine lines and wrinkles or treat a variety of medical conditions, Tokyo Garden is the specialist you can trust! As a leading aesthetic medical clinic in Singapore, we offer the best anti-wrinkle treatment that can help you achieve more rejuvenated and youthful-looking skin in no time. All our skin treatments are mainly supervised by our founder, Dr. Oba, who is committed to addressing the exact needs of our clients.
