In 2024, the majority of us have heard of Botox, as it is one of the most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatments in the world!
Botox is a protein that blocks nerve impulses and causes temporary paralysis of the muscle. It works by binding to receptors on the presynaptic membrane, preventing the release of acetylcholine, which is responsible for transmitting signals between nerves and muscles.
But what exactly is Botox Cosmetic and Botox Therapeutic & what is the difference?
What is cosmetic Botox used for?
Cosmetic Botox is used for fixing a variety of facial concerns, including the following:
- Forehead wrinkles
- Frown lines
- Crow’s feet
- Lip lines
- Eyebrow lift
- Dimpled chin
- Drooping jowls
- Neck lift
- And more
Cosmetic Botox works by relaxing the muscles and smoothing the wrinkles on your face. The weakening of muscles helps suppress facial expressions that cause static and dynamic lines.
What is therapeutic Botox used for?
Unlike cosmetic Botox, therapeutic Botox is used to relieve medical conditions.
Therapeutic Botox is mainly used for:
- Migraines and headaches
- Neck pain
- Teeth grinding
- Jaw clenching
- Trigger points (muscle pain)
- Shoulder and back pain
- Muscle spasms
- Excessive sweating
- And more
Botox relaxes your muscles or reduces glandular or nerve activity, which helps reduce the pain or symptoms of the above conditions.
Reduced muscular activity for therapeutic purposes can alleviate shoulder and back pain, muscle spasms, and jaw clenching to name a few.
Reduced nerve activity for therapeutic purposes is specifically helpful with chronic migraines where the transmission of pain sensations is limited in the treated areas of the head and neck.
With regards to reduced glandular activity, Botox is specifically helpful in reducing the production of sweat in the treated area without affecting perspiration of the entire body, which is required for optimal temperature regulation.
Both therapeutic and cosmetic Botox work in the same way, but depending on where they’re administered, depends on the desired outcome whether it be to give you the look you desire or to treat the medical condition you’ve been struggling with.
