Botox

Botulinum toxin injections (BTX), often referred to by the product names BOTOX® Cosmetic or Myobloc®, are biological toxins (botulinum toxin) transformed into a therapeutic agent.

Work with BTX began in the late 1960s to treat neurological disorders. Today, BTX is used for the treatment of frown lines, forehead furrows, "crow’s feet," lines and wrinkles of the lower face, and even nasal muscles (to decrease nostril flaring).

BTX injections have proven to be a very popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedure; see current American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) statistics.

Aesthetic plastic surgeons have found that the type of lines and wrinkles that respond to BTX injections are those caused by the muscles—specifically those muscles that contract during facial expressions such as frowning or squinting.