Botox breast lift and it's 7 other uses: Beauty Shoutout Wednesdays
Recently, Autumn has highlighted an interesting article from WowOWow- The Women on the Web to me. It's an article about alternative uses of Botox, besides the obvious - being the most popular choice to fight wrinkles. But, apparently Botox has been used for other health/cosmetic issues too. This is so new to me. Maybe you guys have heard of them before but I'm totally a newbie here. And, they may also be covered by insurance too!
1) Chronic Migraines
Studies to obtain FDA approval are currently taking place, but for the last 15 years, physicians around the country have been using Botox to treat and prevent headaches in migraine sufferers.
A doctor may inject up to 30 small liquid doses of the toxin in the places where patients report pain or tension, such as the forehead, temples, neck and shoulders. Physicians believe that the drug reduces muscle contractions and/or blocks a protein that carries the message of pain to the brain.
Length of Procedure: 20 minutes
Results Last: Up to four months
Estimated Cost: $800 to $1,000
Insurance Coverage: Not likely, the treatment is still considered “experimental”
2) Underarm Sweat
In July 2004, the FDA approved Botox to treat axillary hyperhidrosis, or severe underarm sweat that cannot be managed by topical agents such as prescription antiperspirants. When the toxin is injected into the armpit, it stops the release of a chemical messenger called acetylcholine, temporarily blocking the nerves in the underarm that stimulate sweating.
According to the FDA, possible ill effects include: injection site pain, fever, headache, itching, and this one that will still prevent someone from wearing tight grey sweaters: sweating from other parts of the body.
Length of Procedure: 20 to 30 minutes.
Results Last: Up to five months
Estimated Cost: $800 to $1,500
Insurance Coverage: Yes, usually
3) TMJ
1) Chronic Migraines
Studies to obtain FDA approval are currently taking place, but for the last 15 years, physicians around the country have been using Botox to treat and prevent headaches in migraine sufferers.
A doctor may inject up to 30 small liquid doses of the toxin in the places where patients report pain or tension, such as the forehead, temples, neck and shoulders. Physicians believe that the drug reduces muscle contractions and/or blocks a protein that carries the message of pain to the brain.
Length of Procedure: 20 minutes
Results Last: Up to four months
Estimated Cost: $800 to $1,000
Insurance Coverage: Not likely, the treatment is still considered “experimental”
2) Underarm Sweat
In July 2004, the FDA approved Botox to treat axillary hyperhidrosis, or severe underarm sweat that cannot be managed by topical agents such as prescription antiperspirants. When the toxin is injected into the armpit, it stops the release of a chemical messenger called acetylcholine, temporarily blocking the nerves in the underarm that stimulate sweating.
According to the FDA, possible ill effects include: injection site pain, fever, headache, itching, and this one that will still prevent someone from wearing tight grey sweaters: sweating from other parts of the body.
Length of Procedure: 20 to 30 minutes.
Results Last: Up to five months
Estimated Cost: $800 to $1,500
Insurance Coverage: Yes, usually
3) TMJ
The popular method for treating TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint and Muscle Disorders) has been a mouth-guard to prevent damage to the teeth from clenching and grinding during sleep. Recently a new treatment option is emerging: injecting Botox directly into the joint itself.
Although Botox is not FDA-approved for this use, craniofacial surgeons such as Dr. Henry Spinelli of New York Presbyterian Hospital and dental surgeons such as Dr. Mary Swift of Dallas, TX, have seen positive results in their patients, saying that a small dose of Botox in and/or around the jaw muscles helped reduce the amount of force the patient was placing on his or her jaw.
However, patients have reported ill effects such as bruising and bleeding at injection site, excessive paralysis of the muscle and difficulty swallowing.
Length of Procedure: 20 minutes
Results Last: Four to six months (results may last longer with subsequent treatments due to muscle atrophy)
Estimated Cost: $800 to $1,000
Insurance Coverage: Possible, depending on provider
4) Botox Breast Lifts
Although Botox is not FDA-approved for this use, craniofacial surgeons such as Dr. Henry Spinelli of New York Presbyterian Hospital and dental surgeons such as Dr. Mary Swift of Dallas, TX, have seen positive results in their patients, saying that a small dose of Botox in and/or around the jaw muscles helped reduce the amount of force the patient was placing on his or her jaw.
However, patients have reported ill effects such as bruising and bleeding at injection site, excessive paralysis of the muscle and difficulty swallowing.
Length of Procedure: 20 minutes
Results Last: Four to six months (results may last longer with subsequent treatments due to muscle atrophy)
Estimated Cost: $800 to $1,000
Insurance Coverage: Possible, depending on provider
4) Botox Breast Lifts
From Hollywood starlets to top CEO execs, women are receiving “botox breast lifts” that are non-invasive and so fast they can get a breast lift during their lunch break. Physicians inject a large dose of Botox in patient’s pectoral muscles, enough to cause the area to go numb. This helps the shoulders to relax backward and women to stand up straighter thereby lifting the chest and giving the appearance of a perkier bustline.
As with all Botox treatments, it’s temporary.
While renowned dermatologist Dr. Patricia Wexler told CBS news that she uses the botox breast lift technique, a professor of plastic surgery at the Weill Cornell Medical College, Dr. Henry Spinelli doesn't recommend the treatment. "Women are supposed to be working out those muscles to prevent osteoporosis, but the Botox prevents you from doing that," Spinelli said.
Length of Procedure: 20 minutes
Results Last: Three to four months
Estimated Cost: $1,500
Insurance Coverage: No
5) Enlarged Prostate
Apparently, Botox isn’t just for women anymore. Men suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia are now being treated with Botox injections. The Botox is injected into the part of the prostate gland that is overgrown and creating pressure on the urethra, the passage through which urine flows.
Researchers believe that the Botox relaxes the nerve and muscle tone in the prostate, making it easier for men to urinate, and reduces pain and discomfort.
While some doctors believe that the treatment is totally different from prescription medications or surgery, which usually aims to shrink the size of the prostate to provide relief, others are saying that the Botox may also be reducing the size of the prostate through a cellular process called apoptosis, which makes the cells die.
Length of Procedure: 20 minutes
Results Last: Six months to one year
Estimated Cost: $1,500
Insurance Coverage: Possible, depending on provider
6) Overactive Bladder
Injections of botulinum toxin type A (Botox) into the bladder muscle may benefit people who have an overactive bladder. The Botox may block the signals that would normally tell your muscles to contract, which causes that sudden need to urinate.
Past studies have found that Botox improves symptoms of incontinence, leads to fewer trips to the bathroom and increases the amount of urine the bladder could hold. Scientists speculate that in cases of severely overactive bladder unrelated to a neurological condition, Botox may be helpful for people who haven't responded to other medications.
Length of Procedure: 20 minutes
Results Last: Three months to one year
Estimated Cost: $1,000
Insurance Coverage: Possible, depending on provider
7) Facial Tics
Before the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of Botox to erase wrinkles, it was first approved in 1989 to treat certain facial tics and spasms. What physicians do is inject a small dose of Botox to selective areas of the face where a patient has a tic.
A doctor will first map out your face to find the underlying nerve that's causing the twitch and then inject it with the toxin. "The nerve is shaking the muscle to move, but the muscle doesn't feel the shake because of the Botox," said Dr. Spinelli.
Length of Procedure: 50 minutes (30 minutes to map selective area of the face followed by 20 minutes of injections)
Results Last: Four to five months
Estimated Cost: $400 to $1,000
Insurance Coverage: Yes, depending on provider
Though the botox shots cost a sum to reckon with, I think those with any of those health could see this as an alternative. It may just work on you, as it has on some others. I hope you like this post as much as I did. It's great as we learn something new everyday.
As with all Botox treatments, it’s temporary.
While renowned dermatologist Dr. Patricia Wexler told CBS news that she uses the botox breast lift technique, a professor of plastic surgery at the Weill Cornell Medical College, Dr. Henry Spinelli doesn't recommend the treatment. "Women are supposed to be working out those muscles to prevent osteoporosis, but the Botox prevents you from doing that," Spinelli said.
Length of Procedure: 20 minutes
Results Last: Three to four months
Estimated Cost: $1,500
Insurance Coverage: No
5) Enlarged Prostate
Apparently, Botox isn’t just for women anymore. Men suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia are now being treated with Botox injections. The Botox is injected into the part of the prostate gland that is overgrown and creating pressure on the urethra, the passage through which urine flows.
Researchers believe that the Botox relaxes the nerve and muscle tone in the prostate, making it easier for men to urinate, and reduces pain and discomfort.
While some doctors believe that the treatment is totally different from prescription medications or surgery, which usually aims to shrink the size of the prostate to provide relief, others are saying that the Botox may also be reducing the size of the prostate through a cellular process called apoptosis, which makes the cells die.
Length of Procedure: 20 minutes
Results Last: Six months to one year
Estimated Cost: $1,500
Insurance Coverage: Possible, depending on provider
6) Overactive Bladder
Injections of botulinum toxin type A (Botox) into the bladder muscle may benefit people who have an overactive bladder. The Botox may block the signals that would normally tell your muscles to contract, which causes that sudden need to urinate.
Past studies have found that Botox improves symptoms of incontinence, leads to fewer trips to the bathroom and increases the amount of urine the bladder could hold. Scientists speculate that in cases of severely overactive bladder unrelated to a neurological condition, Botox may be helpful for people who haven't responded to other medications.
Length of Procedure: 20 minutes
Results Last: Three months to one year
Estimated Cost: $1,000
Insurance Coverage: Possible, depending on provider
7) Facial Tics
Before the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of Botox to erase wrinkles, it was first approved in 1989 to treat certain facial tics and spasms. What physicians do is inject a small dose of Botox to selective areas of the face where a patient has a tic.
A doctor will first map out your face to find the underlying nerve that's causing the twitch and then inject it with the toxin. "The nerve is shaking the muscle to move, but the muscle doesn't feel the shake because of the Botox," said Dr. Spinelli.
Length of Procedure: 50 minutes (30 minutes to map selective area of the face followed by 20 minutes of injections)
Results Last: Four to five months
Estimated Cost: $400 to $1,000
Insurance Coverage: Yes, depending on provider
Though the botox shots cost a sum to reckon with, I think those with any of those health could see this as an alternative. It may just work on you, as it has on some others. I hope you like this post as much as I did. It's great as we learn something new everyday.
Labels: Bizarre Beauty News, Botox
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