New research suggests that Botox injections may have a positive side effect helping to reduce depression.

Presented at the annual conference of the British Association of Cosmetic Doctors, the study shows that patients who choose to have Botox injections for cosmetic reasons feel better in themselves after the cosmetic procedure.

The difficulty in frowning after the injections is also thought to help improve mood as it is far harder to project a negative mood without being able to frown. This lack of negative projection means that not only do people feel more positive about themselves, but friends and colleagues also view the person as more positive therefore reflecting positivity back to the patient thus increasing self-confidence and therefore mood.

Despite the downturn in the global economy, Botox injections seem relatively unscathed with patients continuing with this cosmetic procedure on a regular basis. With many patients gaining a more confident and happy mood from the injections, it is little surprise that this ‘luxury’ remains a must-have for many people.

Botox already has a wide range of applications including for maintaining a more youthful look, to stop smelly feet and to reduce or stop underarm sweating to name but a few. This cosmetic research now raises interesting questions over whether Botox could be used as a credible treatment for some patients suffering from low self-confidence or depression.