About 82% of women wear make-up often because it makes them feel more self-confident, but it’s not the only trick up their sleeve. Some women decide that they need a more permanent solution. Botox has come a long way from it’s status as an unspoken beauty treatment for fine lines for skin. One study on over 14.2 million non-invasive cosmetic procedures for that year found that injections using Botulinum Toxin A was the most popular at 6.7 million procedures administered. This showed an increase of just 1% from 2014, but a 759% increase from 2000.

But botox injections for face wrinkles is not the only way to use it. Botox for migraines has increased in popularity. If you are currently suffering from chronic migraine headaches, here’s what you’ll need to know.

How Does Botox For Migraines Work?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved botox for migraine headaches in 2010. Unlike dermal fillers, botox “freezes” the muscles around the face. In the case of botox for migraines, injections are placed strategically around the face and neck at nerve sites to act as a block for release of chemical receptors. The injections stop the pain before it starts, but doesn’t actually prevent the actual migraine from occurring.

Isn’t a Migraine Like Every Other Migraine?

Botox for migraines is not a miracle cure. The procedure works best on chronic migraines, which are defined as those that happen for at least eight days out of every 15 or more days. Migraines that happen less often, 14 or fewer days, are called episodic migraines. The process also does not help other types of headaches such as tension headaches or cluster headaches.

How Often You’ll Need to See a Doctor For Injections.

You may not know this, but your body absorbs botox injections. After a certain period of time, about three to four months, the botox slowly wears away. The patient must then decide if they want more injections. In the case of botox for migraines, this means the patient must see their doctor for a touch up about every 12 weeks or so.

Botox as a treatment, whether to treat fine lines in skin or for migraines, is not a permanent solution. Patients must decide if the risks and the repeated appointments are worth it. But in the case of chronic migraines, it is one procedure that can provide a measure of relief.