Botulinum toxin, also known as BOTOX®, was identified as a drug over 130 years ago. It was first used in medicine in the 80’s and was authorised for aesthetic use in 1997.
It was first used to treat wrinkles on the forehead, those of the lion wrinkles (frown lines) between the eyes and crow’s feet. Subsequently, BOTOX® was used to modify the position of the eyebrows and the corner of the mouth.
Treatment of perspiration
A lesser-known use, practiced by Dr Trévidic, makes it possible to correct excessive sweating, that will control excess perspiration under the arms, and also in the hands and feet.
Indeed, the toxin acts on the sweat glands. In summer temperatures, these glands can be responsible for creating sometimes significant social, professional and personal inconvenience and embarrassment.
Botulinum toxin decreases the sweating from these glands. The effectiveness of the treatment lasts about 6 months; a single injection given at the beginning of summer will protect you from these unpleasant effects, throughout the summer period until the autumn.
Treatment of teeth grinding
Teeth grinding is also called bruxism. Teeth grinding comes from the hypercontraction of one of the jaw muscles. And when this muscle contracts too much, it causes a conflict between the upper and lower teeth.
An uncontrolled contraction during the night will cause teeth grinding. This bruxism is not only embarrassing for the partner, but it is also painful for the patient. The latter feels pain in the joints of the jaw, plus pain in front of the ear.
In addition, bruxism can have serious consequences, in the more or less long term. Indeed, this dental trauma can also cause dental fractures and osteoarthritis of the mandible joint.
Although lesser known, botulinum toxin is used to treat this condition. Injecting the toxin, 2 or 3 times a year, will correct bruxism. A study, conducted by Dr Trevidic has shown that this treatment can make this inconvenient grinding disappear permanently.
Anatomy of the Lower Face and Botulinum Toxin Injections.
Trévidic P, Sykes J, Criollo-Lamilla G. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2015 Nov;136(5 Suppl):84S-91S. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000001787
BOTOX® is registered trademark from the American company ALLERGAN Inc.