By: Katharine Griffiths
Created on 14th June 2010
Dr David Taylor of Northwest Aesthetics talks us through some of the lesser known uses of our favourite anti-wrinkle treatment
Pain relief
Botox can be used for the relief of tension headaches and it has been shown in various trials to be a successful treatment option for this condition.
I currently have a number of clients who come to me for this reason alone, many of whom have been taking strong analgesics for several years with little effect, and they have all been amazed by the results that Botox has produced.
Tension headache is caused by spasm in the muscles on the forehead and between the eyebrows. Botox treatment works by relaxing the muscles and taking this tension away. The treatment involves between six and eight injections of Botox to the forehead muscle and three to five injections between the eyebrows.
Initially this can induce a small tension headache as the muscles relax and spasm but this is only temporary. The treatment is very simple, taking just a few minutes, costs between £95 and £175 and
effects will last for up to six months.
Sweat reduction
Botox can also be used to reduce excessive sweating. Treatment involves between 20 and 30 sub-dermal injections of Botox to each armpit, covering the whole area of the under arms. It is not known precisely how this treatment works, but it is believed to suppress the sebaceous sweat glands of the skin. Side effects are minimal.
The procedure takes around fifteen minutes, costs between £400 and £450, and the results will last for around seven to nine months.
The Nefertiti Neck Lift
This treatment involves the use of Botox to improve the appearance of the neck, and is named after the Egyptian princess Nefertiti. The procedure can also improve the appearance of the lower part of the face, including the jowls, by removing the pull by the neck muscles on the lower face.
This is an advanced technique and should only be undertaken by suitably qualified practitioners. Treatment involves injecting Botox into the platysmal muscles, which run down the neck, as well as into the muscles of the lower face.
There are usually around 20 to 25 injections involved.and the Nefertiti Neck Lift can improve the problem known as ‘turkey neck' and generally soften the appearance. The treatment takes around 15 minutes, costs between £100 and £150 and lasts for around four months.
Reduction of facial flushing
This is a relatively new technique, involving injecting Botox superficially to reduce flushing, usually in the cheeks, chin and neck.
The treatment works on a similar principle to that used for hyperhydrosis; it is believed that Botox can reduce vasodilatation in the skin resulting in the reduced appearance of blushing. I have a number of clients who I have treated for this condition, and they are all delighted with the results achieved.
I would recommend a trial treatment initially in a safe area of the face for example the chin, as injecting Botox across the cheek area is a highly skilled technique with potential side effects if done incorrectly. Cost of treatment varies, depending on the size of treatment area, and the results will last for around four months.
Available from: Dr David Taylor runs Northwest Aesthetics, which operates out of four clinics across the Northwest of England. For more information and a full list of the treatments offered, call 01257 252 607 or visit www.northwestaesthetics.co.uk
