Can botox help you get a small waist?
By Leslie Howard Stevens – Follow me on Google+
First officially approved in the U.S. in 2002, the use of Botox for facial rejuvenation has reached an all-time high. In 2012 6.1 million procedures were performed, up to eight percent from the previous year. The application is successfully used to treat crow’s feet, frown lines, and other wrinkles caused by muscle wear.
The cosmetic benefits of Botox actually came to light accidentally, when an ophthalmologist using it to treat blepharospasm, or eye twitching, noticed that her patients were losing their facial wrinkles. It’s little surprise then that Botox has been used for other medical applications, and there’s been some thought that it could help with weight control. So just what can and can’t this neurotoxin do?
- In addition to the aforementioned blepharospasm, strabismus is another eye condition that’s often treated with Botox. This occurs when the eyes are not properly aligned with one another and can’t focus on the same spot. Variations include cross-eye and walleye, and strabismus is sometimes associated with amblyopia or “lazy eye.”
- Earlier this year the FDA approved the use of Botox in treating an overactive bladder for those sufferers who can’t use anticholinergics, the class of drug principally used to deal with this condition. Injecting Botox into the bladder causes the muscle to relax, increasing its capacity, and reducing incidents of leaking.
- Some who suffer from severe migraines, classified as at least 10-15 occurrences per month, have found relief with Botox. It’s generally used as an alternate course of action when lifestyle changes and other medications have been ineffective.
- One of the lesser-known applications of Botox is for treating excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis. Injections under the skin in areas such as underarms or hands and feet help to block the chemical that stimulates production in the sweat glands. This condition gained some attention when TV talk show host Kelly Ripa told Elle magazine that she receives treatment every six to seven months.
- Some researchers have considered whether Botox could have any use in the eternally popular weight-loss field. It was thought that injections into the stomach could induce a feeling of fullness, enabling a reduced food intake. However, a controlled study showed that food passage through the stomach was slowed but there was no impact in terms of weight loss.
While USA Today dubbed Botox “the little neurotoxin that could,” it’s important to understand exactly which conditions are suitable for treatment. Contact Dr. Stevens for help in sorting out the fact and fiction regarding Botox.
