Botox is a commercial name for botulinum, a neurotoxic protein used in cosmetic procedures to treat a number of facial appearance changes brought about by repeated facial expressions, such as brow crease, crow’s feet, and laugh lines or frown lines. Tiny amounts of diluted botulinum toxin are injected into targeted areas. The protein blocks nerve impulses to those targeted muscles that create expression lines. This weakens the muscles’ ability to contract, softening the existing lines and preventing deepening.
Injections of Botox can be completed in only a few minutes during an office visit, and the procedure requires no anesthesia. The protein is precisely injected into the muscle tissue with a fine needle. Treatment results usually take two to four days to appear after initial application, and effects continue for up to six months. Lines will gradually begin to reappear as the effect of the injection wears off, and many patients opt to repeat the treatment. Fortunately, with repeated treatments the facial muscles are “trained” to relax, and returning wrinkles are less severe over time.
Although Botox is primarily used in the treatment of expression lines, it is also sometimes prescribed to sufferers of migraine headaches, repetitive neck spasms, eye twitches, overactive bladder, and even excessive sweating.