Cosmetic and therapeutic Botox use the same active ingredient—botulinum toxin—but serve very different purposes: one enhances appearance, the other treats medical conditions.

💉 Cosmetic Botox: Smoothing and Preventing Wrinkles

Purpose: To reduce facial lines and signs of aging by relaxing targeted muscles.

Common treatment areas:

• Forehead creases

• Crow’s feet (around the eyes)

• Frown lines (between the eyebrows)

  Benefits:

• Minimally invasive with no downtime

• Visible results within 3–7 days

• Lasts 3–4 months

• Can be used preventatively in your late 20s or early 30s

Procedure:

• Small injections are placed in specific facial muscles.

• The toxin blocks nerve signals, preventing muscle contractions that cause wrinkles.

🩺 Therapeutic Botox: Medical Relief Through Muscle Relaxation

Purpose: To treat conditions caused by muscle tension, nerve dysfunction, or gland overactivity.

FDA-approved uses include:

• Chronic migraines

• TMJ disorder and bruxism (jaw clenching or teeth grinding)

• Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)

• Cervical dystonia (neck muscle spasms)

• Overactive bladder and urinary incontinence

Benefits:

• Non-surgical and relatively low-risk

• Effective when other treatments fail

• Improves quality of life

• Results last 3–6 months, depending on the condition

Procedure:

• Injections are placed in strategic muscle groups based on the condition.

• Dosage is typically higher than cosmetic Botox and tailored to medical needs.