Treatments like BOTOX® have a myriad of uses, from the cosmetic to the therapeutic. It’s not just about limiting facial movement and smooth foreheads, but about feeling your best in your own skin, in ways you may not have thought possible. I’m always on the hunt for new and innovative ways to look and feel better, and I’m lucky to have an expert to reach out to and learn from: our gal Nurse Hazel.
Nurse Hazel is an esteemed medical professional with extensive expertise in medical aesthetics who brings a fresh perspective, along with empathy and humour, to every client experience. With a Bachelor of Nursing degree from Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University, Hazel worked in Trauma Units and operating rooms before taking her talents into the rapidly growing field of medical aesthetics. Her commitment to delivering safe, effective treatments, along with her experience in patient care make her the perfect expert when it comes to knowledge and the needle.
I reconnected with Nurse Hazel to learn about the different ways BOTOX could be used to help me achieve the results I’m looking for and to learn about some out of the box uses for BOTOX.
BOTOX® in Masseter for TMJ
I’m someone who has dealt with tooth grinding on and off for years. It’s sometimes referred to as TMJ, short for Temporomandibular joint dysfunction. My jaw muscles are overdeveloped, leading to grinding my teeth which gives me pain and discomfort.
Thankfully, Nurse Hazel shared with me that BOTOX could help with my jaw issues. “Botox is sometimes used to treat TMJ disorder” says Hazel, “especially when it’s related to muscle tension or teeth grinding. By injecting Botox into the masseter muscle (the main chewing muscle), the muscle is temporarily relaxed, which will reduces muscle tension and spasms, decreases jaw pain, can help prevent teeth grinding and may improve jaw mobility over time. This treatment is generally safe but should be administered by a qualified healthcare provider. It’s considered off-label use but has shown promising results for many patients.”
BOTOX® around the mouth to enhance lips
As I got older, I noticed that my lips were losin volume and begin to curl inward, contributing to a thinner, more tired looking appearance. When I pointed out this concern to Hazel, she advised that Botox can offer a refined alternative, a subtle enhancement without adding volume with filler.
From Nurse Hazel, “by administering Botox into the orbicularis oris muscle (the muscle surrounding the mouth), the upper lip can gently flip outward, creating the look of fuller, more youthful lips. This technique, often called a “lip flip,” enhances the shape of the lips without increasing their size.”
She continued “In addition, this treatment helps soften fine lines around the mouth—commonly called “smoker’s lines.” These lines become more noticeable with age, especially in women, due to natural collagen loss. Botox relaxes the overactive muscle activity that contributes to these wrinkles, resulting in a smoother, more refreshed appearance. It’s a quick, minimally invasive treatment with no downtime—ideal for subtle rejuvenation.”
BOTOX® in the chin to reduce to upward curling.
As the years passed, I would look in the mirror and notice that the space between my lower lip and my chin was slowly disappearing. I checked in with Hazel to ask where my face was going, and she advised that I could have an overactive chin, with my chin flexing so much that it started to appear shorter or uneven.
“Botox can be used in the chin to relax the mentalis muscle, which is responsible for lower lip movement and expressions of displeasure and tension,” said Hazel. “This muscle also plays a role in sealing the lips tightly such as drinking or holding something in the mouth. Botox can help soften the chin dimpling creating a smoother effect, more projected contoured look to the lower face. This treatment is ideal for patients seeking subtle facial balancing and a more refined chin appearance.”
With just a few small injections, my chin relaxed and the skin between my lip and chin appeared again.
BOTOX® to lift and/or balance brows”
Did you know Botox can be used to give the appearance of a brow lift? I didn’t until Nurse Hazel told me! She explained “When botox is used for a brow lift it is typically injected near the tail of the eyebrow and around the lateral canthus (outer corner of the eye). These areas target the orbicularis oculi muscle, which is responsible for puling the brown downward during eye closure and squinting. By relaxing this muscle, botox reducing the downward pull on the outer brow. This allows the frontails muscle (which lifts the brows) to create a subtle lift of the later brow and a more open, refreshed eye appearance.” It’s far less invasive and far more affordable than any surgery with results that are just as impressive.
Looking for new and innovative ways to look and feel better in your own skin? Think of Botox, and work with a professional like Nurse Hazel to get the results you desire. Follow Hazel on Instagram below and book an appointment with her today!
https://www.instagram.com/hazelaesthetics_
*header image by Jonathan Borba from Pexels
Nadia Elkharadly
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