Almost everybody has heard of Botox—the brand name for the original and best-known neuromodulator on the market. And if you were to ask random people on the street what Botox does or what it’s for, almost everybody you talk to will say something to the effect that it erases wrinkles.
And they’re not wrong. But when it comes to Botox, treating wrinkles is just the tip of the iceberg.
One Tool for Treating Multiple Patient Concerns
Botox has nearly a dozen applications, many of which have nothing to do with cosmetic enhancement. It turns out that Botox (and other neuromodulators in its class) have a role in alleviating a diversity of patient concerns, making it an incredibly valuable skill to acquire, causing Botox training to be more popular than ever.
The aesthetic injectables market is booming, and getting your Botox certification is one of the easiest, fastest, and most affordable ways to capitalize on market trends, attract a broader patient demographic, and grow your practice. If you’re a currently licensed RN, NP, PA, dental hygienist, doctor, or dentist, you can become certified in as little as a week. (Or, if you prefer, spread your training out over weeks or months.)
Because Botox training builds on your existing medical expertise, it takes less time and effort than you’d think to learn the foundational principles of aesthetic medicine, gain a deeper understanding of facial anatomy, hone your injection technique, and earn your certification. And once you do, you’ll reap many benefits from having a single tool at your disposal to effectively treat multiple challenges while elevating your career!)
Let’s look at Botox’s many uses, beginning with non-aesthetic applications and finishing up with some of its lesser-known cosmetic applications.
Non-Aesthetic Applications of Botox
Migraine Headaches
Are you looking for an FDA-approved method for treating chronic migraine headaches? Botox is the answer! It can reduce migraine frequency and severity when injected into nerve endings, where it helps block pain signals.
Excessive Sweating
If you’re over 30, there’s a good chance you remember the famous Dry Idea antiperspirant TV commercial with the tagline, “Never let them see you sweat.” But for some people, no amount of antiperspirant can save them from the embarrassment that often comes with uncontrollable sweating—especially in high-stress situations like a job interview, first date, work presentation, or sales pitch. Luckily, Botox can stop excessive sweating in its tracks by inhibiting the function of the glands responsible for perspiration.
Teeth-Grinding or Jaw-Clenching
There’s a ton of research indicating that teeth-grinding and jaw clenching are habitual, unconscious responses to chronic stress. And judging from the percentage of people that struggle with this problem, lifestyle changes and calming activities like meditation are in order. But for those who continue to experience this problem, dental teeth guards often aren’t enough. While they do protect teeth, they can’t circumvent the peripheral issues that this activity often produces: headaches, muscle and shoulder tightness, and jaw soreness. Fortunately, when Botox is injected into the masseter (jaw) muscle, it significantly weakens this muscle, making it much more difficult to engage in this activity.
Dystonia
One of the most socially devastating symptoms that patients with neurological disease can experience is a form of dystonia (an abnormality in muscle tone) that results in uncontrollable drooling. But Botox can be used in the salivary glands to bring saliva levels to normal levels, restoring patients’ sense of personal dignity and making it easier for them to stay connected to the social support that everyone needs.
Cosmetic Applications of Botox
Botox goes way beyond treating wrinkles. Here are just a handful of ways it can be used to enhance facial appearance:
Eyebrows
Botox can be used to elevate the outer tail of the eyebrows.
Lips
Botox is regularly used to cause the upper lip to roll subtly up and outward for a more pronounced pout. (Check out this blog to learn about how aesthetic injectables can create multiple lip styles!)
Nose
Botox can be injected into the base of the nose, where it meets the face, to prevent it from being pulled downward by the muscles involved in smiling. This results in a subtle elevation of the tip of the nose, causing many injectors to dub the procedure “The Tinkerbell Tip.”
Jaw
Not only does Botox injected in the masseter muscle reduce teeth-grinding and jaw-clenching, but it also reduces the width of the jaw, resulting in a more traditionally feminine facial aesthetic.
Elevens
Scowling, even when subtle, often results in two vertical, parallel lines between the eyebrows that resemble the number 11. Botox in this area (known anatomically as the glabella) takes those 11s to zero.
Crow’s Feet and Forehead Lines
Botox smoothes dynamic wrinkles that form around the inner and outer corners of the eyes and erases the horizontal lines that often form in the forehead from decades of muscle activity.
Ready to Get Your Botox Certification? You’ll Love Training With Us!
AAAMS (The American Association of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery) is the premier, fully-accredited, industry-leading platform for aesthetic training and certification that’s as fast, easy, and fun as it is rigorous, comprehensive, and hands-on. We pioneered the industry more than 15 years ago when we launched one of the first virtual training platforms, and to this day, we remain the gold standard for excellence in aesthetics education. With world-class instructors, more than 5,000 successful graduates in 17 countries, and a professional Aesthetics Network designed to support our community members before, during, and after certification, you will love training with us.
Visit our website to learn more about us. Explore our courses, check out all the amazing things you get access to when you join the Aesthetics Network (including discounts on AAAMS courses) and get started today. Botox training puts so many new options into reach for you and your patients!
We look forward to training with you!
