Key Points

Although the beauty industry has been using Botox as their bread and butter treatment, it has a different history. Since the 1980s, Botox has seen various medical purposes. Firstly, it was to treat muscle spasms.

Today, Botox treats common medical issues, like:

Below we take a look at how Botox can be used as a successful treatment for these common conditions.

Speak to the experts at our doctor-led Surrey clinic to find out more about the options available to treat medical conditions with Botox.

Call our friendly team on 01252 933133 or email info@healthandaesthetics.co.uk for more information.

Bruxism

What is bruxism?

Bruxism is a condition where excessive teeth grinding and jaw clenching causes a range of medical issues including headaches, wear and tear to the teeth and pain in the jaw.

The condition affects around 8-10% of people in the UK and can affect people when they are awake and/or asleep. The majority of bruxism cases occur when people are asleep, and in this case, the most likely cause is stress and anxiety.There are many different causes of bruxism, including sleep disorders, taking certain medication (such as some antidepressants), anxiety and depression, and Parkinson’s disease.

It’s important to note that the best way to treat bruxism long-term is to identify the cause of your teeth-grinding. This could include:

  • Reducing stress and anxiety
  • Reviewing and changing medication
  • Addressing sleep disorders
  • Making lifestyle changes such as reducing alcohol, nicotine and caffeine intake

Discuss your concerns with your GP in the first instance.

How does Botox treat bruxism?

Bruxism occurs when muscles in the jaw contract, causing the jaw to clench. When Botox is injected into certain muscles in the jaw, this temporarily blocks the nerve signals to the muscles, relaxing them and preventing the jaw from clenching tightly.

Patients can experience relief from bruxism after treatment with Botox in as little as two weeks and it can be used to treat awake and sleep bruxism.

Regular Botox treatment for bruxism can mean that the jaw muscles become weaker and more relaxed long-term, so you may require less Botox over time.

How long do results last?

This varies for individual patients but symptoms can be relieved for around 4 months.

Are there any side-effects from this treatment?

You may experience side-effects associated with Botox treatment in general such as slight bruising, swelling or redness at the injection site. You can find out more about what happens after having Botox with our Botox Aftercare FAQs, including possible side-effects.

Migraines

What are migraines?

Migraines are much more debilitating than regular headaches and can cause severe pain along with other symptoms such as vomiting, sensitivity to light, vision being affected by flashing lights and tingling in the limbs.

The causes of migraines vary greatly from person to person and symptoms can be triggered by anything from stress and anxiety to eating certain foods such as chocolate. However, in many cases, migraines can occur without being triggered by something specific.

How does Botox treat migraines?

Botox received a license as a treatment for migraines since 2010. It was discovered as a treatment for migraines when patients suffering from the condition noticed an improvement after having Botox for other reasons.

Although it’s unknown why and how Botox can help relieve migraines, studies have indicated that the substance helps to reduce the expression of certain pain pathways.

Where the treatment is injected will depend on individual patients but the three most common and effective points are:

  • Above the eyebrows
  • The temples
  • At the base of the skull

How long do results last?

Results usually last around 3 – 4 months but this can vary from patient to patient.

Are there any side-effects from this treatment?

Some patients experience neck pain after having Botox as a treatment for migraines. Other less common side-effects include muscle stiffness and weakness. However, if the treatment is administered by a qualified and experienced practitioner then side-effects are much less likely.

Excessive sweating

Also known as hyperhidrosis, excessive sweating can affect people’s confidence and can be extremely uncomfortable. Botox is effective to treat excessive sweating by blocking the nerve endings. This means that the message never gets from the nerve endings to the sweat glands. Hence, the glands don’t produce sweat.

Results can last for up to 6 months after a single 30-minute treatment.

You can find out more about how Botox treats excessive sweating with our in-depth page How Botox Stops Excessive Sweating and How It Can Help You.

For treatment of any of the above conditions or any others (like fungal nail infections) in Surrey, or questions regarding Botox treatments in Surrey, contact the expert Health & Aesthetics team today on 01252 933133 or email info@healthandaesthetics.co.uk.

You can also read about the misconceptions surrounding Botox here.

Dr Rekha Tailor

Dr Rekha Tailor

Dr. Rekha Tailor, founder and Medical Director of Health & Aesthetics, is an esteemed Medical Aesthetic Practitioner and General Practitioner, educated at Manchester Medical School. With a career spanning NHS hospitals and general practice, she shifted to full-time aesthetic medicine in 2005. Known for her natural results and gentle approach, she is a member of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine and the Royal College of General Practitioners. Her dedication to excellence is reflected in numerous awards, highlighting her clinic as a leader in aesthetic treatments​​.

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At Health & Aesthetics, we believe that the fundamental basis for a successful aesthetic procedure is an in-depth consultation with a skilled qualified practitioner to assess your needs and develop a bespoke personal treatment plan so that you achieve outstanding natural looking results. You can call us on 01252 933 133.

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