Today, Botox in Houston is primarily regarded as a cosmetic treatment. People from all walks of life, including celebrities, professionals, and stay-at-home parents, have used Botox to help them turn back the clock on aging. But did you know that Botox is much more than a cosmetic treatment? It has a number of proven medical applications as well. Let’s talk about how uses for Botox have developed over the decades.
Botox’s Origins
The Food and Drug Administration first approved botulinum type A in 1989, but back then, it was used primarily as a treatment for eye spasms and related conditions.
Even before the FDA approved Botox, however, an ophthalmologist in Vancouver, Canada — Dr. Jean Carruthers — stumbled upon its cosmetic potential. When Dr. Carruthers was administering the injections to treat a patient’s eye spasms, she didn’t place any between the patient’s eyebrows, which caused the patient to become agitated. As the doctor recalls, the patient stated, “You didn’t treat me here. When you treat me there, I get this beautiful, untroubled expression.”
In 1992, Dr. Jean Carruthers and her husband, dermatologist Dr. Alastair Carruthers, issued the first report stating that Botox could be used for cosmetic purposes.
A Remarkable Evolution
In the nearly 30 years since the Carruthers issued their report, Botox has undergone a remarkable evolution. As doctors mastered the techniques and proper dosages for administering Botox, they discovered more and more of its benefits. Today, Botox is widely accepted as a treatment for:
- Chronic migraines
- Overactive bladder
- Excessive underarm sweating
- Eyelid muscle spasms
- Cervical dystonia (a condition that causes involuntary movements in the head and neck muscles)
- Upper limb spasticity (involuntary arm movements)
Many doctors also explore “off-label” Botox uses — that is, uses that have not been extensively studied but that do have some anecdotal evidence to back them up. For example, Botox may be used to address temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD, a condition that affects the jaw joint), headaches, teeth grinding, and facial tics. In most cases, off-label Botox use is safe.
What Can Botox Do for You?
Clearly, Botox is much more than a mere cosmetic treatment. If you would like to discover how it may be able to help you look and feel your best, consult with a medical professional who has experience in administering it. If they suggest that you use Botox for an off-label use, be sure to ask about their experience in utilizing it for that purpose and the results they’ve noticed.
Botox can do more than give you a pretty face! It may also be able to help you address medical conditions and improve your quality of life.
Meet the Practice
The team at Dream Aesthetics Medspa is all about helping patients feel confident in their own skin. Cosmetic Botox is one of our most popular treatments. Our director of nursing, Dr. Mary Moosavi, has roughly 15 years of experience with Botox. If you are interested in learning how it my benefit you, contact our team at 281-846-6454 to ask questions or schedule a consultation.
