Neuromodulators are among the most popular of tweakments, heralded for their ability to smooth lines for a crease-free complexion.
What you might not know is that neuromodulators – most commonly known by the brand name Botox, but also referred to medically as botulinum toxin – can be used to help you secure a peaceful night’s sleep. Let us explain.
While they are best known for relaxing muscles, neuromodulators can indirectly help people sleep better by eliminating nighttime teeth grinding and jaw clenching – aka bruxism.
“Many people grind or clench at night without realising it,” says Dr Liesel Holler, who has clinics in Chislehurst and central London. “They may wake with a sore jaw, tension headaches, worn teeth or a sense that they have barely rested.”
Injecting botulinum toxin into the lower facial muscle, known as the masseter muscle, temporarily blocks nerve signals, preventing them from contracting. “In doing this, patients often report less pain, less tension and more refreshing sleep,” Dr Holler says. “The treatment is about calming overactive muscles so the face can rest properly overnight. When that constant clenching stops, sleep often improves quite naturally.”
Botulinum toxin is also an established medical treatment that can reduce headache frequency and severity. “Less pain at night often means better sleep,” Dr Holler says. “And for some patients, there is an overlap between migraine and jaw clenching, so treating one can help the other.”
She adds that neuromodulators can help people who hold tension in the neck and shoulders, which can make it harder to switch off at night. “While this is less established than bruxism treatment, relaxing overactive muscles in areas such as the trapezius can occasionally help patients feel physically more comfortable, though I would never present this as a guaranteed sleep solution.”
© Getty ImagesMasseter and mood
Fellow aesthetics expert Dr Nina Bal explains that there are links between neuromodulators and mood – and this too can have an impact on sleep. “Some studies suggest that botulinum toxin injections in the frown muscles may modestly improve symptoms of depression in some people.
“It is called the ‘facial feedback hypothesis’, referring to the fact that facial muscles don’t only express emotions; they also send signals to your brain that reinforce them. Therefore, when frown muscles are relaxed, the negative feedback loop weakens.
© Getty Images“By reducing the ability to frown, the feedback between facial muscles and the brain changes,” she says, cautioning that the evidence is still mixed, and botulinum toxin is not an approved treatment for anxiety or general stress.
“It’s important to separate physical relaxation from mental relaxation,” Dr Bal says. “Botulinum toxin can help muscles relax, but it doesn’t directly calm the mind or reduce stress hormones. If someone feels calmer after treatment, it’s usually because they’re experiencing less pain, less muscle tension or feeling more confident and not because botulinum toxin has a sedative or anti-anxiety effect.”
Fast work
The results of masseter Botox tend to be seen in one to two weeks and can last between three to six months before you need a top-up.
“For many, masseter Botox is life-changing in terms of comfort and quality of sleep,” says Dr David Jack, who offers the treatment in his Royal Exchange clinic in London.
The treatment is also used for people wishing to slim their lower face, creating a more contoured and feminine jawline. Dr Jack says: “The subtle facial slimming effect can be a welcome bonus for some. By softening the bulk of the masseter muscle, it can create a more tapered, contoured look to the lower face, but the functional benefits are increasingly what are drawing people in for this treatment.”
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