What is Botox Cosmetic?

Botox Cosmetic is an injectable wrinkle muscle relaxer. It uses botulinum toxin type A, specifically OnabotulinumtoxinA, to temporarily paralyze muscle. This reduces the appearance of facial wrinkles.

A Botox treatment is minimally invasive. It’s considered a safe, effective treatment for fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. It can also be used on the forehead between the eyes.

Botox was originally FDA approved in 1989 for the treatment of blepharospasm and other eye muscle problems. In 2002, the FDA approved the use of Botox for a cosmetic treatment for moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows. It was approved by the FDA for treatment of wrinkles around the corners of the eyes (crow’s feet) in 2013.

According to a 2016 clinical study, Botox is a simple, safe, and effective treatment for reduction of forehead wrinkles.

In 2016, over 4.5 million procedures were performed using Botox and similar medication to fight wrinkles. This type of procedure is the number one nonsurgical cosmetic procedure in the United States.

Preparing for Botox Cosmetic

Botox Cosmetic involves a nonsurgical, in-office treatment. It requires minimal preparation. You should let your treatment provider know about your medical history, allergies, or medical conditions before your procedure. Your treatment provider should be a licensed physician, a physician assistant, or a nurse.

You might need to remove all your makeup and cleanse the treatment area before the procedure. You may also need to avoid blood-thinning medicine like aspirin to reduce the risk of bruising.

What areas of the body can be treated with Botox Cosmetic?

Cosmetically, the injectable can be used in the following areas:

the area between the eyebrows (glabellar region), to treat moderate to severe frown lines
around the eyes, commonly known as crow’s feet lines

Botox also received FDA approval to treat various medical problems, including:

overactive bladder
excessive underarm sweating
lower limb spasticity
chronic migraines

How does Botox Cosmetic work?

Botox Cosmetic works by temporarily blocking nerve signals and muscle contractions. This improves the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes and between the eyebrows. It can also slow the formation of new lines by preventing contraction of facial muscles.

It’s a minimally invasive procedure. It doesn’t involve incisions or general anesthesia. If you’re concerned about pain or discomfort, a topical anesthetic or ice can numb the treatment area.

During the procedure, your provider will use a thin needle to administer 3-5 injections of botulinum toxin type A. They will inject the targeted area between the eyebrows. You will usually need three injections on the side of each eye to smooth out crow’s feet.

The entire procedure takes approximately 10 minutes.