Botox injections are primarily cosmetic, which makes them ineligible for insurance coverage. Because Botox isn’t approved by the FDA as a TMJ treatment, it is unlikely insurance would cover it. However, if the TMJ is severe enough to cause migraines, insurance may cover Botox as a treatment. Botox is FDA-approved for migraines.
Pierre encourages patients to contact their insurance companies. “Unfortunately, the insurance company is the one who gets to determine medical necessity,” he says, “So there are no guarantees. However, some insurance companies cover Botox for hyperhidrosis so there’s a chance you can get coverage for TMJ.”
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“Both Botox and Dysport are excellent options for someone dealing with hyperhidrosis,” says Peterson Pierre, MD, dermatologist in Thousand Oaks, California.
So is one better than the other? Per a study in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, Botox and Dysport are similarly effective, with Botox just barely taking the edge over Dysport.
For the study, a patient was treated with 100 units of Botox on the left side of their face and 300 units of Dysport on the right side, without knowing which was which. Botox kicked in quicker, with the patient noticing a reduction in sweating after one week on the left side of their face. Dysport, on the other hand, took about two weeks to take effect.
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“It’s hard to say if cats are ticklish in the same way humans are since they don’t burst into laughter like we do, but they do enjoy being loved on,” said Dr. Anthony Hall, DVM, MPH, the medical director for an animal clinic in Dallas and an expert vet at AirVet who’s been a practicing vet since 2013. “The purrrrfect spot differs from cat to cat, but they will generally press that body part harder into your hand to indicate it feels good. Some spots may feel better than others, and the most common feel-good areas tend to be the shoulder, head/face, and right at their backs right at the tail base. Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and they will let you know when they’ve had enough tickle time.”
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Sharing a space with cats is as entertaining as it is fascinating, and it seems they love to surprise their human friends with how clever they can be, though they certainly all have distinct personalities. I recently moved in with extended family, a home to four cats and counting. I’m quickly learning the ropes as a new member of a cat household, and so far, I’m realizing boundaries and understanding their body language are important to living in harmony. Still, I have tons of questions. What goes on in their mysterious brains? Do they realize how incredibly cute and loved they are? Then, an even more pressing question arises after hours spent petting my fluffy friends: are my cats ticklish? I spoke to two experienced veterinarians to find out.
“It’s hard to say if cats are ticklish in the same way humans are since they don’t burst into laughter like we do, but they do enjoy being loved on,” said Dr. Anthony Hall, DVM, MPH, the medical director for an animal clinic in Dallas and an expert vet at AirVet who’s been a practicing vet since 2013.
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“It’s hard to say if cats are ticklish in the same way humans are since they don’t burst into laughter like we do, but they do enjoy being loved on,” said Dr. Anthony Hall, DVM, MPH, the medical director for an animal clinic in Dallas and an expert vet at AirVet who’s been a practicing vet since 2013. “The purrrrfect spot differs from cat to cat, but they will generally press that body part harder into your hand to indicate it feels good. Some spots may feel better than others, and the most common feel-good areas tend to be the shoulder, head/face, and right at their backs right at the tail base. Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and they will let you know when they’ve had enough tickle time.”
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Ditch your face scrub (sorry, but scrubs are generally too aggressive for skin that’s prone to dark spots and hyperpigmentation), and get yourself a chemical exfoliant/acid, instead. One chemical exfoliant that Dr. Pierre recommends for dark spots is glycolic acid, which is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps dissolve and shed the “glue” between dead, discolored skin cells, leaving you with a clearer, brighter, all-around glowier face.
Plus, by chemically exfoliating away surface-level dead cells, your skin will be better able to absorb any spot treatments or brightening serums you apply afterward, which helps make them more effective. Win-win.
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Dr. Pierre explains that post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne, injuries, bug bites, or scratches can fade naturally in a few weeks or months, but things like sun damage or melasma (hyperpigmentation caused by hormones and sun exposure) will need topical or laser intervention, if you’re trying to get rid of them.
How do you get rid of dark spots fast?
Fortunately for you (and me), we’ve got a few treatments. Buuut that being said, this is the part where I remind you that the first step to getting rid of dark spots is to see a dermatologist who can identify what type of discoloration you’re working with, figure out the cause, and determine the best treatment options for your skin. “The cause of the dark spots is actually an important consideration,” Dr. Pierre explains. “Although there is definitely an overlap in treatment plans, different combinations will be used depending on the factors at play.”
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According to Dr. Peterson Pierre, a dermatologist with the Pierre Skin Care Institute in Westlake Village, California, common PHAs used in skin care products include:
gluconolactone
lactobionic acid
galactose
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