7 Surprising Ways Botox Can Be Used Beyond Wrinkles
- klosik
- Sep 25
- 8 min read
Written by Emma Schlicht, RN, BSN, Nurse Injector
Botox has become one of the most common elective procedures being done all around the world. Botox received its first FDA approval back in 1989, over two decades ago! Since then the use of Botox has taken off and has become helpful in a vast array of concerns, both aesthetic and medical.
Botox is most commonly known for treating wrinkles and signs of aging, but there are many other surprising uses for Botox, including for TMJ, shoulder tension, and excessive sweating.
What Is Botox and How Does It Work?
What is Botox?
Botox is a purified protein derived from Clostridium botulinum, a naturally occurring bacterium. While the word “toxin” can sound intimidating, the form used in medical and aesthetic treatments is carefully purified, FDA-approved, and completely safe when administered by trained professionals, like our nurse injectors at Horizon Med Spa in Kansas City. Botox works by temporarily blocking the nerve signals that tell muscles to contract. By relaxing these muscles, it smooths the appearance of wrinkles and softens fine lines.
Think of Botox as a precision treatment: it doesn’t travel throughout your body, but rather works exactly where it’s placed. This targeted effect is why it has become one of the most trusted and versatile treatments in aesthetics and medicine worldwide.
How Does Botox Work to Safely Relax Muscles?
Botox works by blocking the communication between nerves and muscles. Our nerves normally release a chemical messenger called acetylcholine, which tells muscles to contract or move. Botox functions to prevent the release of acetylcholine, which actually relaxes the treated muscle. Pretty cool, right?
Alright, now that we know a little bit about what Botox actually is, let's chat more about common uses for botox and some surprising uses for botox that you might not know about!
What Are FDA-Approved Botox Treatment Areas?
Botox For Frown Lines (Glabella Complex)
Frown lines are probably the area most commonly treated with botox and one of clients biggest concerns that we address. Botox for frown lines focuses on those “11s” between the eyebrows that deepen as we scowl over the years.
Sometimes the 11 lines present as two distinct lines, sometimes just one distinct line. Either way Botox can smooth and soften the existence of frown lines extremely well.
Botox For Forehead Lines
Forehead lines are another common area treated with botox. Often clients, even in their 20s, will be bothered the most by this area because they see their makeup settling in these lines and it drives them crazy. Botox will stop the wrinkling of the forehead muscle and cause the texture lines to soften at rest and sometimes even completely go away.
My forehead lines really bothered me in my early 20s and got me to finally try Botox myself. I only needed one treatment and I was sold. Botox really is magical stuff.
Botox For Crow's feet (Lateral Canthal Lines)
Crow's feet are the smile lines that run around the lateral portion of our eyes and sometimes even down our cheeks. I honestly find crow's feet endearing and I am not the biggest fan of completely eliminating them when we do Botox. However, when treating crow's feet with botox, there is an elegant way to soften the appearance of these lines so they don't appear as prominent if they are an area of concern.
Botox For Platysma Bands (Neck Bands)
Botox for platysma bands, or neck bands, is the newest FDA approval botox has received back in 2024. However, that doesn't mean neck bands are a new area for us as injectors. We have been treating platysma bands with botox for years to help retract up sagging neck bands and decrease the presence of jowling and sagging along the jawline!
Curious if platysma band or neck band botox is a good option for you? Consult with your provider to see if you are an ideal candidate.
7 Surprising Medical and Aesthetic Uses of Botox
Now that you know all the traditional uses for Botox, let's get a little crazy and talk about the surprising uses for Botox that you might not know about!
Botox For Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating)
Botox for Hyperhidrosis can be used anywhere in the body, but most commonly we inject it in the armpits and the palm of the hands. By blocking the nerves that activate sweat glands, it can provide 9+ months of sweat reduction when dosed adequately.
Why Botox for excessive sweating might be right for you:
You struggle with excessive underarm or hand sweating
Antiperspirants or topical treatments haven’t worked
You want long-lasting dryness and confidence
Botox For TMJ And Jawline Slimming
Treating the masseters, a muscle that runs down the back of your cheek to your jaw, can help relieve pain associated with TMJ, jawline clenching, and teeth grinding. Using botox to treat TMJ can also give some clients a slimmer lower face if you are predisposed to having a more square shaped face. Botox for TMJ usually lasts 6+ months when dosed adequately
Why Botox for TMJ might be right for you:
Frequent jaw clenching or teeth grinding causes pain
You feel tension headaches or facial discomfort
You’d like a slimmer, more contoured jawline
Trapezius Botox For Shoulder Tension
Botox in the trapezius muscle, or "Trap Tox", is fantastic for helping relieve neck and shoulder tension.
I don’t know about you, but the older I get the more I carry SO MUCH stress in my shoulders. I used to have to remind myself multiple times throughout the day to relax my shoulders down.
Trap tox will keep your shoulders consistently relaxed and alleviate the build up of tension in the neck and shoulders. It is another area that lasts 5-6+ months and works wonders for those who are a candidate.
Why Trapezius Botox might be right for you:
Chronic tightness or stress in your shoulders and neck
Posture problems from working at a desk or carrying stress
Desire for a slimmer neckline and more relaxed silhouette
Botox For Chin Dimpling (Mentalis Muscle):
Dimpling in the chin may not bother you today; however, long term that dimply or orange peel texture of your chin will begin to be permanent even at rest. Doing chin botox a couple of times per year will relax this movement and help prevent chronic texture lines in the years to come that are tricky to correct once there.
Why Botox for chin dimpling might be right for you:
You notice “orange peel” texture in your chin when speaking
You want to prevent deep dimpling from becoming permanent
You’re looking for smoother skin in the lower face
Botox For Sad Mouth (DAOS Muscle):
Similar to the chin, we treat the downturning of the mouth with botox for the same reason. The downturn of your mouth causes resting upside down crescent lines at the corners of your mouth that contribute to your mouth looking constantly sad or angry. Using botox for a sad mouth, or downturned mouth, will help eliminate texture and create a happier resting face for your mouth.
Why Botox for sad mouth might be right for you:
Your natural resting expression looks sad or stern
You see deep lines forming at the corners of your mouth
You want a softer, happier-looking resting face
Lip Flip for Fuller-Looking Lips
Lip flips are what I call the “gateway drug” to lip fillers. Lip flips using botox give the illusion of a fuller lip when smiling and at rest. The only negative to lip flips is that they only last around 8 weeks, which is why I call them the "gateway drug" to filler. Filler lasts 12 + months in the lips and can give a similar effect.
Why a lip flip might be right for you:
You want the appearance of fuller lips without filler
Your upper lip disappears when you smile
You want a temporary, subtle enhancement before committing to filler
Botox For Gummy Smile Correction (LSAN Muscle)
Botox for a gummy smile is for those whose gumline is prominent when you are smiling. This excessive gummy show can be controlled by placing a few units of botox into the LSAN muscle directly and it will reduce the amount of gumline you can see when you smile. Botox for a gummy smile is super satisfying to treat & those who are a candidate absolutely love it.
Why Botox for a gummy smile might be right for you:
Your gumline shows prominently when you smile
You feel self-conscious in photos
You want a more balanced, natural-looking smile
Why Botox Remains a Trusted Treatment
From forehead lines to gummy smile corrections, Botox has earned its place as one of the most trusted treatments in aesthetics.
With decades of safe use, FDA approvals for multiple areas, and countless satisfied patients worldwide, Botox continues to be the gold standard for softening lines and enhancing natural beauty. Its precision and versatility mean results can be tailored exactly to your goals, whether that’s subtle prejuvenation, facial balancing, or targeted relief for concerns like jaw tension or excessive sweating.
Book Your Botox Consultation
If you’re curious about what Botox can do for your unique concerns, the best next step is a personalized consultation. At Horizon Med Spa and Wellness, our expert injectors will assess your goals, explain your options, and create a treatment plan designed just for you.
Whether you’re new to injectables or looking to refine your results, we’ll guide you every step of the way so you feel confident, informed, and excited about your journey. Book your consultation today and let’s get started on helping you look and feel your absolute best.
Frequently Asked Questions About Botox
What are the FDA-approved uses of Botox?
Botox is FDA-approved for frown lines, forehead lines, crow’s feet, and most recently platysma neck bands. These are the most common Botox treatments patients request.
Can Botox help with excessive sweating?
Yes. Botox treats hyperhidrosis by blocking nerve signals that activate sweat glands. Most patients experience 9+ months of reduced sweating in the underarms, palms, or feet.
How does Botox help with TMJ or jaw clenching?
Botox relaxes the masseter muscles, relieving pain from TMJ and teeth grinding. It can also create a slimmer, more balanced lower face for those with a square jawline.
What is trapezius Botox and who benefits from it?
Trapezius Botox, also known as “Trap Tox,” helps release tension in the shoulders and neck. It reduces stress-related tightness, improves posture, and creates a slimmer neckline.
Can Botox improve chin dimpling and a downturned mouth?
Yes. Botox relaxes the mentalis muscle to smooth chin dimpling and treats DAOS muscles to lift downturned mouth corners, creating a softer, happier expression.
What is a Botox lip flip and how long does it last?
A lip flip uses Botox to relax the muscles around the mouth, rolling the upper lip outward for a fuller look. Results last about 8 weeks, making it a great entry point before lip filler.
About Kimberly Losik
Owner of Horizon Med Spa and Wellness
Kimberly Losik, a board certified nurse practitioner, is the Founder, Owner and Medical Director of Horizon Med Spa and Wellness. Kimberly has earned multiple degrees including a bachelors in Kinesiology, a bachelors in Nursing, as well as a Masters in Nursing. For over a decade, she has earned experience in Orthopedics, Geriatrics, Internal medicine, Medical weight loss, aesthetics and anti-aging medicine.
Her passion to help patients look and feel like the best version of themselves was the foundation of Horizon Med Spa, which began in early 2020. Since then, she has attended numerous trainings, conferences and seminars to continue to offer patients the best solutions Additionally, she is a clinical trainer for the company Inmode, an internationally recognized leader in the aesthetic industry.
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