Exercise, intermittent fasting and low carbohydrate diets, vitamin and herbal supplementation, drinking water, meditation, sauna, and sleep…yes we know these are all important for a more healthy lifestyle. So where does Botox (or other neurotoxins or neuromodulators) fit in to health?
Let’s discuss the Healthy User Effect (HUE) of Nueromodulatorsm that was conducted in a fascinating study done at the University of Wisconsin 10 years ago. Subjects given Nueromodulators were assessed by reading either happy, neutral and sad or angry passages before and after Botox. Post-toxin, the study subjects took a significantly longer amount of time to read the sad/angry passages. The scientists showed that the neurolinguistic pathway between the eyes, the brain and the mouth was interrupted – by not being able to furrow the brow or frown, the brain had a harder time processing something as anger or sadness inducing – thus the patients where less angry and sad.
University of California at San Diego did a 10 year summary of studies on Botox and Depression. What did they conclude? Depression and depression related symptoms decreased between 40-88% in treated subjects. I mean, this reduction is insane! But like most things when it comes to non-pharmacologic treating of mental health….cricket silence on this.
So what I am hearing and now know is that there is a drug that can lower anxiety, stress and depression while making you look younger in the process. So let’s promote this healthy user benefit and confidence inspiring age reduction.
OTHER NON-AESTHETIC USES FOR NUEROMODULATORS
With Hyperhydrosis the results are not only universally dramatic but quick as well. The downside is the amount of modulator you have to use is usually a full vial – at around $1000+, every 4-12 months.
For TMJ and Migraines, the underlying pathology is more complex such as multiple triggers for migraines and underlying damage to the joint in TMJ but usually there is a significant percentage reduction but the duration is typically only around 3 months.
AESTHETIC USES FOR NUEROMODULATORS
Common Areas for Botox treatment: Glabella (“eleven” or angry lines between the eyes), the frontalis (forehead wrinkles) and the Obicularis Oculi (“Crows feet” eye wrinkles). All of these areas have a relatively quick onset of 2-5 days depending on which modulator (Xeomin, Dysport, Botox) and maximum effect at around 2 weeks with 3-4 months duration on average. When treating a new patient, we always schedule a two week post follow up to make sure we don’t need any touch-ups. This way the injector gets a better idea of your regular muscle movements and know exactly how to customize your treatment from that point forward. There is an art to the frontalis/forehead injection to make sure the brow doesn’t “Spock” up the end of the brow or the brow overall does not fall and result in a more tired look.
Other Areas: Master (Face Slimming), Platysmus (Neck Lines), “Bunny Lines” on the Nose, Lip Flip for a more perky lip, and for “Gummy Smiles”.