Botox is great for the athlete and the non athlete.  Onabotulinumotoxin, otherwise known as, Botox, is a neurotoxic protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.  It is used for both medical and cosmetic services.  When injected cosmetically into the body, it temporarily paralyzes the muscle at the injection site.  This paralysis to the muscle can last anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months.

Botox is great for athletes because it can help smooth out the tough definition that comes from lean muscle tissue and for non athletes it helps to tighten the muscle where fine lines tend to form.

One muscle in particular that is very beneficial for smoothing out the muscle, is the Platysma.  The Platysma pulls the corners of the mouth down, creating the “sad face” look and pulls the neck upwards when the teeth are clenched.

All these individuals are clenching their teeth and engaging the platysma muscle.

In the picture above, the Platysma muscle is flexed.  Injecting Botox into the attachments of the Platysma and along the protruding areas of the muscle, will help to lessen the appearance of the “chicken tallon” neck.  Once the Botox has taken effect, the Platysma will not be able to be stand out as much causing a softer, smooth appearance of the neck and corners of the mouth.  A side effect to having the Platysma injected with Botox is that it may become a little harder to pull your chin to your chest.

Women Body Builders have stronger, more defined jawlines.

Another great muscle to receive Botox injections for the athlete and non athlete is the Masseter muscle.  This muscle is very defined in athletes that tend to clench their teeth while engaging in their sport, especially bodybuilders both men and women.

Masseter Muscle.

The Masseter muscle is the strongest muscle on the body.  As small as it may be, it is built strong for eating.  This is the muscle that opens and closes our jaws.  Designed to chew and bite with its mighty strength, when overworked, it will cause the jaw to become more defined and harden the appearance on the face.  This muscle can also cause teeth grinding when it is not relaxed.  The side effect that comes with receiving the Masseter injected is that the power to chew solid foods may lessened.

When the Botox is injected into the Masseter muscle, the hard- defining jaw will be lifted like the pictures above.  Notice the pictures on the left, the women have a more round and diamond-shaped face.  After the women were injected with the Botox, the jawline for both women became more softened and their face transformed more into the “classic” oval-shaped face.

Besides helping to soften the appearance on the face and neck, Botox helps people who suffer from Hyperhydrosis.  Hyperhydrosis is the term for excessive sweating.  Athletes who tend to perspire profusely during their sport and non athletes who may suffer from Hyperhydrosis can treat their excessive sweating with Botox injections.  A very common area for Botox injections to treat excessive swelling is in the underarms and groin areas.

The only downside to receiving Botox for treating sweat is that your body will produce the same amount of sweat.  Being that your body will still produce the same amount of sweat, it means that other areas on your body will sweat more.  For example, like the picture above, if the underarms are injected with Botox for excessive sweating, the groin area will receive some of the extra sweat that your underarms would release.  Be mindful of this when receiving the Botox injections that your body needs to release the sweat in other areas.

Receiving Botox is great for the athlete and non athlete to smooth fine lines, soften the appearance of the face and neck and to treat Hyperydrosis but there are some side effects that come with it.  An allergic reaction may occur or the paralysis of the wrong muscle group might happen.  Bruising at the injection site may occur when injected from the injector and may take a few days before the bruise will go away.

Botox is advised to be avoided to individuals who are pregnant, have egg allergies, or a neuromuscular disorder.  Mothers who are breastfeeding are advised to consult their doctors.