Botulinum therapy in cosmetology and not only

Botulinum therapy is considered an effective method of modern cosmetology. This procedure helps to almost instantly get rid of age and mimic wrinkles. But many do not even know that botulinum therapy can still be used to treat various diseases and syndromes.

Botulinum therapy in cosmetology 

At first, the drug was used only for therapeutic purposes, but after a short time, the so-called aesthetic botulinum therapy appeared. Its main function is the fight against wrinkles and hyperhidrosis. 

The drug is administered intramuscularly or sometimes subcutaneously. Since the needles are very thin, there are almost no traces left, and the botulinum therapy of the face itself takes place almost without pain. But here a lot depends on the individual pain threshold.

The methodology makes it possible:

• remove excessive tension and asymmetry of muscles in any part of the body;
• eliminate wrinkles of any depth;
• change the severity of scars and scars, smooth the edges of wounds.

Interestingly, cosmetologists advise using the “whole face" tactic. This means that it is better to correctly inject the drug throughout the face than to inject Botox only in specific areas. But here much depends on the professionalism of the doctor.

In order for the effect to be persistent, it is advised to take a course of 2 or 3 procedures during the year.

Botulinum therapy in neurology

The essence of the method lies in the fact that botulinum toxin blocks signal transmission between nerves and muscles. As a result, it turns out that the muscles at the injection site relax. This property is widely used in the treatment of spasticity – increased muscle tone and other disorders in neurology.

Main indications:

• bruxism – teeth grinding;
• hyperhidrosis – excessive sweating;
• nervous tics, tremors of the head, arms, legs;
• dystonia – muscle contractions;
• spasticity;
• salivation and lacrimation;
• chronic pain in a specific place with neuralgia.

After examination, the doctor selects the optimal dosage of the drug and calculates the injection site. I must say that after a couple of months, muscle mobility is restored. The maximum effect can last for a year. This method helps to treat diseases that were previously not amenable to therapy. The botulinum therapy procedure has almost no side effects. Sometimes you may feel a little soreness at the injection site, but it quickly passes.

Botulinum therapy for hyperhidrosis

This method is considered an effective and safe way to get rid of excessive sweating. The procedure does not require special preparation, long-term follow-up after. The duration of the effect can be up to six months. Botulinum therapy of the armpits, feet and other parts of the body where excessive sweating is observed is carried out as needed, but an interval of at least 3 months between procedures must be observed.

The so-called "drying" effect of problem areas begins on the second day and reaches a maximum after 7 days. The advantages of the method on the face are the ease of injection, safety, the possibility of introducing into any area, and a stable clinical effect.

Botulinum therapy for rosacea

The drug helps to stop the expansion of blood vessels, reduce rashes and redness of the skin, remove inflammation. This technique is used to treat those patients who are not affected by other methods of therapy.

Botulinum therapy for headaches

Chronic headache is very painful for the patient. Often the use of physiotherapy, therapeutic blockades, other drug therapy regimens does not relieve pain. In addition, the constant use of drugs is bad for health.

The use of botulinum toxin is a one-time procedure. Repeated injections are carried out only as needed, approximately once every six months. 

In this treatment, botulinum toxin is injected into the head and neck area. It must be said that the method helps to eliminate only migraines and headaches associated with chronic muscle spasm against the background of neurosis and overstrain. Other types of headaches are not subject to such treatment. Botox for migraine should only be administered by a neurologist, as this is a very serious matter.

Botulinum therapy in orthopedics

The drug temporarily blocks muscle contraction, which gives them the opportunity to recover. And this is very important in the rehabilitation period after various kinds of injuries. The method helps to remove the pain syndrome and subsequently contribute to an increase in the volume and quality of movements of the affected limb.

Also, the remedy is used for arthritis, arthrosis, hallux valgus, spinal instability, heel spurs and other pathologies.

Contraindications and possible complications

As for contraindications, their list is not so big:

• pregnancy and lactation;
• elevated temperature;
• intolerance to the drug or high sensitivity to it;
• protein allergy;
• crayfish;
• blood clotting disorders;
• infectious or inflammatory processes in the area of ​​​​the intended injections.

Complications are not so easy. There is a risk of encountering such unpleasant manifestations as:

• Puffiness. Normally, such a reaction to mechanical injury should pass on its own within a few days. But with hormonal disorders, kidney failure, diseases of the heart and blood vessels, extensive edema often occurs, indicating a violation of blood circulation and lymph flow.
• Asymmetry. This happens when the drug is unevenly distributed over the muscles due to violations of the technology of the procedure. Correcting the situation is very problematic, you need to wait until the agent is removed from the tissues.
• Headache. It appears immediately and can last up to two weeks. This may be a reaction to the mechanical impact from injections or excessive muscle strain.
• Seals. The reason is the uneven distribution of the drug.

There are other complications as well. But most of them are the result of insufficient qualifications of the doctor and errors during the procedure.