Botox

Botox injections are a diluted form of botulism which is injected into facial muscles to paralyze or weaken the muscles that form wrinkles. In 2010 the procedure was performed in the United States more than 5 million times.

Botulinum toxins were first researched in the late 1960s to treat neurological disorders. Botox was first approved by the FDA in 1989 to treat eye muscle disorders (blepharospasm, uncontrollable blinking, and strabismus, crossed eyes). In 2000, Botox was approved to treat cervical dystonia (a disorder that causes severe neck and shoulder contractions). As an unusual side effect of the eye disorder treatment, doctors observed that Botox® softened the frown lines between the eyebrow.

See FDA Article for more information.

FDA Approval In April 2002, the FDA was satisfied by its review of studies indicating that Botox® reduced the severity of frown lines for up to 120 days and approved the drug. It is under review for approval to treat brow furrow, migraine headache, chronic tension headache, upper limb spasticity, juvenile cerebral palsy, and hyperhidrosis.

What kind of wrinkles do Botox® injections treat? Wrinkles that are caused by muscle contraction, such as frown lines, crow's feet, forehead creases, and neck bands can be safely and successfully treated with Botox®.

Costs of Botox® Cosmetic Treatment
According to The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery the average physician cost nationwide in 2015 for Botox was $400.