Botox – Not Just for Beauty


Although as aesthetic practitioners we are perhaps more familiar with Botox being used to reduce signs of aging, it is interesting to note that it was used to treat medical conditions long before it was used for aesthetic purposes. It was first licenced to treat crossed eyes and eyelid spasm in 1989, a full 13 years before it was approved to treat lines and wrinkles. Botox® has proven to be an incredibly versatile treatment, and can be used to treat conditions such as hyperhidrosis and bruxism with incredible results.

Botox for Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for excessive sweating that isn’t caused by heat, stress, or exercise; a condition affecting hundreds of thousands of people in the UK alone. It can be an embarrassing, isolating condition that causes anxiety in its sufferers; who can sweat so much that it soaks through their clothes. Fortunately, Botox® is licensed for treating underarm hyperhidrosis.

Although the exact cause of hyperhidrosis is as yet unknown, it can be summarised that the nerves that send signals to the sweat glands are overactive. When Botox® is injected into the underarm, it blocks signals to the sweat glands; stopping them from producing sweat. It is an incredibly effective treatment; so much so that the procedure has become incredibly popular as an aesthetic treatment as opposed to one to target medical needs.

Botox for Bruxism

Bruxism affects over 10 millions adults in the UK, clenching and grinding their teeth through the day and night, with symptoms ranging from excessive teeth wear and gum inflammation to headaches, migraines, earache, and neck, shoulder and jaw pain; along with hypertrophy of masseter muscles causing a squared jawline.

Injecting small doses of Botox into the masseter muscles weakens the muscle just enough to stop the clenching and grinding action, not only alleviating the symptoms of bruxism, but also slimming the appearance of the jawline.

Training in Botox for Medical Conditions

At MATA, we train our Advanced delegates in the use of Botox to treat not only aesthetic concerns, but also medical conditions including hyperhidrosis and bruxism. Offering these treatments to your clients will only widen your appeal in your local aesthetics community, and will give you an edge over your competitors. If you are a medical professional and hold a  Foundation Certificate in aesthetic injectable procedures; get in touch with us today to discuss joining our Advanced Course. Alternatively, if you are new to Botox® and dermal fillers, you may be interested in learning more about our Level 7 Diploma in Facial Aesthetics, a JCCP approved course that will take you from beginner to advanced practitioner over the course of nine months. Contact us