BOTOX for Migraines, Excessive Sweating, and Facial Spasm Relief
Northern New Jersey Plastic Surgeons Use BOTOX for More Than Appearance’s Sake
Do you suffer from chronic migraines, excessive sweating or facial spasms? If you do, help may be on the way – and from a rather unexpected front. If your looking for northern New Jersey plastic surgeons who use Botox to treat any of these conditions, consider Berlet Plastic Surgery.
Most people are familiar with Botox. Numerous celebrities use it to remove wrinkles. However, Botox (which is short for botulinum toxin Type A) has a couple of other applications – many of which aren’t cosmetic. Many Northern New Jersey plastic surgeons have started using it for the treatment of chronic migraines, excessive sweating, and tics or spasms.
What is Botox? Is it safe?
BOTOX (or botulinum toxin) is a neurotoxic protein. Interestingly, the toxin, which is used widely for wrinkle removal by relaxing facial muscles is, as Wikipedia puts it, “the most acutely lethal toxin known, with an estimated human median lethal dose of 1.3–2.1 ng/kg intravenously.”
So…it’s not safe, then?
Wrong. In the world of science, it’s the application, not the substance itself that matters.
For example, even air can be deadly. That is, if an air bubble winds up in your veins. On the other hand, something as seemingly dangerous as snake venom can be life-saving if processed and used as an anti-venom.
Botulinum toxin Type A, similarly, is perfectly safe if used by a licensed medical professional, with the proper instruments, and in the right place.
When used for wrinkle removal, it is injected just under the skin in a non-surgical procedure. Botox is mixed with saline water before administration, so the actual amount of the toxin administered is minute.
The protein relaxes muscles, which smooths the overlying skin and thus reduces the appearance of wrinkles.
The procedure is quick and safe and is usually performed in an examination room. Patients can go home immediately afterwards. If this is a procedure you’re interested in, we offer it in our clinic in Northern New Jersey. Plastic surgeons such as Dr. Berlet recommend getting the procedure done every 3-4 months to keep up the smooth appearance, as the effects start to wear off in time.
The use of Botox for treating migraines
If you get migraine headaches often (8 times or more every month), Botox may be the solution you’ve been looking for.
The application of Botox to treat migraines was discovered accidentally when a few migraine sufferers used Botox for wrinkle removal. During their follow-up, they mentioned that they had fewer and less severe headaches following the treatment. This led to research into the anecdotal discovery, and sure enough, the claim was scientifically supported.
A study found that nearly half the people who took two rounds of Botox injections reported a 50% decrease in the number of days they experienced a headache. After five rounds of shots, the number of people went up to 70%.
Botox was officially approved for migraine treatment in 2010.
Botox works by blocking neurotransmitters that carry pain signals from your brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals, and Botox serves as a roadblock in their path. They don’t reach the nerve endings in your head (or neck), so you don’t register any pain.
The use of Botox for treating excessive sweating
Excessive sweating, known medically as hyperhidrosis, can also be treated with Botox injections. If you’ve tried prescription antiperspirants, talk to your doctor about Botox treatment.
Botox was approved by the FDA as a treatment for people who have excessive armpit sweating, but people have reported using it successfully for hyperhidrosis in other areas of the body too.
So how does Botox treat the problem?
In the condition of hyperhidrosis, the nerves signaling sweat glands are overactive. So, while an average person sweats in moderation in a natural response when it’s hot, a person suffering from hyperhidrosis sweats even when it’s not hot. They also suffer from a significantly larger volume of sweat than a person without the condition.
Botox paralyzes the nerves which signal your sweat glands to start working. If the nerves cannot send your sweat glands the message, the problem is essentially prevented before it begins.
If you’re considering a Botox treatment for excessive sweating, discuss your medical history with your doctor. Your doctor may advise you to stop taking particular medicines before the procedure. If you take blood thinners, you’ll likely be instructed to keep off them for 2-3 days prior. Doctors usually ask patients to not shave their armpits for a few days leading to the procedure as well.
The use of Botox for treating muscle spasms
Botox injections can be used to treat twitching of facial muscles, including eyelids. It is also a successful treatment for certain eye movement disorders such as “lazy eye”, as well as other disorders such as cervical dystonia.
Spasms and tics can be embarrassing and problematic. While there are other solutions available, few are as easy (or as convenient) as this. This treatment comprises receiving a few Botox injections in and around the affected area. Botox will block messages from your brain that trigger the involuntary contractions (read: twitches or spasms), thus treating the problem.
The procedure is really simple – you can get it done in most places in Northern New Jersey. Plastic surgeons can administer injections in just a couple minutes. After the treatment, you should start noticing the effects in a week, and by the 14-day mark, effects will become fully visible.
Side effects of using Botox
As with any medical procedure, it’s very important to thoroughly discuss the treatment, your medical history, and potential complications or side effects. These are a few of the known side effects of Botox injections, but by no means does it take the place of a thorough consultation with a doctor.
For people suffering from migraines who underwent Botox treatment, neck pain and headaches were among common complaints post-treatment.
In some rare cases, people have had an allergic reaction to Botox. An allergy can result in hives, shortness of breath, and in some cases swelling in the lower legs.
Since Botox works by essentially paralyzing muscles and/or nerves, there have been cases where its use has resulted in unintended paralysis of facial muscles.
Some commonly reported side effects which fade over time include trouble swallowing, muscle weakness in the face and/or neck, and difficulty chewing solid foods.
Generally, it has been found that side effects from therapeutic use are more severe than those from the cosmetic use of Botox. They have been caused by paralysis of critical muscle groups, and in severe cases have included heart attack, arrhythmia, respiratory arrest, and even death.
How much does the treatment cost?
Charges vary based on location, type of treatment, and your condition. However, as a ballpark figure, Northern New Jersey plastic surgeons typically charge around $1000 for under both arms to prevent excessive sweating.
What to expect after treatment
The treatment isn’t typically painful at all. Botox injections should feel the same as any other injection and takes just a couple of minutes. There’s very little bleeding, if any.
Since it is a non-surgical procedure, you can go home immediately afterwards and resume normal activities. You’ll notice the treatment take effect 3-10 days after the procedure, and it’s usually most noticeable after 14 days. At this point, you’ll need to visit your doctor for a follow-up appointment.
As mentioned previously, the injection will need to be repeated every few months. Usually, injections in the hands or feet don’t last as long as those in the face. So if you’re getting treated for tics or migraines, it could be as long as 6 months before you need to get the procedure done again, although the average time period for a “refresh” is 3-4 months.
Where can I undergo the treatment?
If you’re looking for a trustworthy doctor who has expansive experience in the field, Dr. Berlet is an excellent choice. He’s one of the best northern New Jersey plastic surgeons, with over 20 years’ experience.
Dr. Berlet has developed a large clientele from this region, as well as from around the country and abroad. He has formed a very strong reputation as a plastic surgeon due to his breadth of expertise in a wide array of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery procedures.
He has been recognized repeatedly as a “Top Doctor” by New York and New Jersey Magazine as well as Castle Connolly for the New York Metropolitan area. His clients consist of many high-profile entertainers as well.
Dr. Berlet is board-certified in both plastic and general surgery, which has given him a broad base of surgical expertise. Dr. Berlet completed his medical school education and plastic surgery residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, with an additional internship and general surgery residency at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia.
Dr. Berlet’s clinics are located in Cedar Grove and Hackensack NJ, and you can find their contact details on the website.