BOTOX Cosmetic is a natural, purified protein that relaxes muscles by blocking nerve impulses. With a few tiny injections administered by a physician, BOTOX Cosmetic relaxes the muscles that cause skin to crease. Once the muscles are at rest, the skin becomes smoother, creating a more natural and relaxed appearance.

Glabellar lines are the wrinkles between the brows that form when you frown. To make this expression, you move the corrugator and procerus muscles, which are located between and above the brows.

Movement of facial muscles can cause the skin between the brows to crease. As skin becomes less elastic over time, repeated frowning may create visible lines and wrinkles-even when your face is relaxed.

What is Botox?

Botox is a purified protein toxin produced by the clostridium botulinum bacteria. Although Botox is a toxin, there have been no serious side effects. This is because, for the treatment described, it is used in extremely small amounts and does not spread throughout the body.

How is Botox Used to Erase Wrinkles?

A few drops of Botox are injected with a tiny needle into the muscle that creates the wrinkle. When Botox is injected into a muscle, it blocks the nerve impulse from reaching that area, and as a result, the muscle weakens. As the muscle weakens, the skin overlying the muscle relaxes and the wrinkles in the skin gradually soften and often disappear.

Where Can Botox be Injected?

The most common areas for use of Botox are the frown lines between the eyebrows, the horizontal forehead lines, and the crow's feet. On occasion, some other areas may be treated as well. When Botox is injected there is an initial minor sting for a few seconds. Once the injection is complete, there is usually no discomfort.

Does Botox Affect Other Facial Expressions or Create Numbness?

Botox doesn't affect the nerve, so there is no numbness in the area of the injection. Also, the effect of Botox is only in the immediate area of the injection. The muscles related to other expressions are unaffected.

How Long Does a Botox Treatment Last?

The effects of Botox usually last three to five months, at which time another injection is required. After several treatments, the effects of Botox may begin to last longer, sometimes up to six to eight months.

How Safe is Botox?

Botox has been used safely and successfully in opthalmology for over 10 years, and for wrinkle therapy for over 6 years. In the amounts used for wrinkle therapy, the only possible side effects are temporary and localized to the area of injection. Is the Treatment for Everyone? There are very few restrictions regarding Botox treatments. Patients who are pregnant or have a neurologic disease should not be treated.