Aesthetic treatments are not just all about looking good – they can make you feel better as well. From sweat relief to eye surgeries, here are just a few of the surprising health benefits of the most popular aesthetic procedures.
Botox combats excessive sweating and migraines
It is best known as a wrinkle-busting procedure, which wipes years off your face with just a single injection. But Botox has a number of medically-valuable side effects. In the US, the FDA has approved its use in the treatment of migraines, while in the UK it is being increasingly used as a solution for excessive sweating, or ‘hyperhidrosis’.
When injected into the armpits, the botulinum chemical essentially paralyses the sweat glands, making them less able to produce sweat with immediate effect. Like cosmetic Botox, each treatment will last for at least three months, or up to six months with continuous use.
Microneedling reduces tension headaches
Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to treat tension headaches and migraines, and microneedling can perform a similar role. Like acupuncture, it uses tiny needles to apply pressure to the skin, creating minute puncture marks on targeted areas. However, unlike acupuncture, these micro needles are rolled onto the skin with a special device, allowing the aesthetic technician to treat a larger area of skin. From a cosmetic perspective, the needle marks (which are barely visible to the naked eye) spark a nerve reaction in the body, encouraging the production of collagen and elastin to the ‘wounded’ areas, and making skin appear naturally youthful.
If you suffer from tension headaches, ask your aesthetic doctor to focus on your temples when applying the device – the pressure from the micro needles can help stimulate your verve endings, keeping tension headaches at bay.
Dermal fillers can heal scarring and repair eye injuries
Dermal fillers are typically used to reduce wrinkles by ‘filling’ the lines with a concentrated formula of hyaluronic acid, which stimulates collagen production, giving lasting results.
But the so-called ‘fountain of youth’ ingredient can also be used to heal a number of medical conditions.
When injected into scars, wounds or small pock marks, the fillers perform the same job as they do when applied to wrinkles – filling in the gaps and making skin look smooth and new.
Hyaluronic acid has also been used to treat cataracts, and it is often used during eye surgery to replace the natural fluids during retina reattachments and corneal transplants.
Laser technology can cure bad eyesight
Laser technology is the ultimate multi-tasker, used for everything from hair removal, to rosacea treatments, to teeth whitening, to tattoo removal, and skin resurfacing. But it is equally useful to medical professionals, as the tiny, concentrated beams are able to accurately target very small areas, making it perfect during eye surgeries.
Laser technology has helped many millions of people to restore and improve their vision, and it is now as widely available as laser hair removal and other cosmetic procedures.
By Dr Vincent Wong