Written by: Brielle Kirk, PA-C
When getting Botox, we typically think of alleviating fine lines and wrinkles of the forehead, glabella, and crows’ feet. However, there are a lot more uses for Botox!
Sides of the nose: Botox can be placed in the sides of the nose to alleviate the wrinkles caused by contracting the nose. These wrinkles are commonly called “bunny lines” and will create a smoother appearance to the nose.
Perioral: Botox can be used around the mouth for a couple of different reasons. If placed above the lip, it can relax the orbicularis oris to alleviate fine lines and wrinkles, aka “smoker’s lines.” If placed in the cupid’s bow of the lip, it can create what’s commonly known as a “lip flip.” This is used to create a subtle volume of the lip if the patient does not want as much as filler would give, and it can also help to alleviate a gummy smile. Botox can also be placed into the depressor angularis oris muscle to correct the downward curve of the corners of the mouth caused by aging.
Sides of face: Botox can be placed into the sides of the face where the masseter muscles are to alleviate pain and tension caused by temporal mandibular joint dysfunction. Putting the Botox into this muscle can also create a slimming of the face, which is an added benefit!
Neck: The neck can always give away a person’s age due to wrinkles and laxity. Even for younger people in today’s world, “tech neck” creates wrinkles to the neck and therefore premature aging. Because of this, Botox can be administered into the platysmal bands to relax these muscles and prevent their pull, which helps to alleviate the neck wrinkles.
Armpits: If you sweat excessively, Botox administered into the armpits can help with that! It works by weakening the nerve signal to the apocrine glands to produce sweat. Once the signal is weakened or blocked, less sweat is produced!
Head: Botox placed in certain areas around the head can help to alleviate migraines. Botox blocks the nerve signaling responsible for pain, therefore helping to alleviate migraines. If migraines are caused by tension, Botox also helps to alleviate muscular tension, which would also contribute to the decrease in pain experienced by migraines!