Women (& men!) who get Botox injections to correct frown lines often report feeling happier after the treatment.

Facial expressions affect our emotional state. We smile when we’re happy, but smiling also makes us happy!

According to an article by Dr. Michael Reilly and Dr, Amir Hakimi, the facial feedback hypothesis is based on the idea that facial expression and emotional experience are linked. The action of elevating your cheeks which can make you happier or the action of furrowing your brows can make you angrier. In a study in 2014 by Kim et al. using functional MRI found that angry facial expressions increase the activity of the amygdala which is the primarily associated with emotional processing. So in simpler terms, when we reduce the muscles ability to frown by using Botox, the study suggests we can reduce some negative emotions. Another study out of the Skaggs School of Pharmacy analyzed the FDA’s systems data base. This included 40,000 people who reported the effects of Botox treatment for a variety of reasons.  What they found was that the reported anxiety risk was 22 to 72 percent lower in Botox-treated patients. This included patients who received injections into facial muscles for cosmetic use and facial/head muscles for the treatment of migraine-related headaches. The same research team published a separate study that found that people who received Botox injections reported significantly less depression than patients undergoing different treatments for the same condition. Understanding how Botox can affect these mental health conditions may impact future treatment paradigms. Of course there is not one single treatment for mental health issues, it is best to consult with your medical provider and mental health therapist for other types of treatments.  For an additional study on Botox and mental health conducted by the National Library of Medicine, click here.

Botox®, the most popular aesthetic treatment in the world, is a neurotoxin used to improve the appearance of moderate to severe wrinkles. It works by temporarily blocking nerve signals that direct facial muscles to contract during facial expressions. This prevents lines and folds in the skin’s surface from forming and leaves your skin looking smooth, young, and flawless. Here at Conklin Clinics we  use Botox for cosmetic purposes and not for mental health conditions, but in the near future we may begin to see this change!

Curious if Botox is right for you? Schedule a complimentary consultation today!