Botox (botulism toxin) - Skin and eye treatment using Botox

Botox is an abbreviated term for botulism toxin,. derived from botulism bacteria, a dreaded chemical commonly known to cause food poisoning.

When used as part of a skin-care regimen, however, Botox can create younger looking skin.

In creating Botox, scientists dilute the botulism toxin for medical purposes. The FDA has approved its use for treatment of eye muscle spasms or involuntary neck muscle twitches.

However, eye doctors, dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and even neurologists have since learned that the muscle-weakening powers of Botox can have cosmetic applications as well.

When Botox is injected through a small needle into the middle of a muscle, it can cause temporary weakening of that muscle. How does this make people look younger?

Such an application is useful for people who want to lessen the thick furrows in their foreheads, or "frown" lines between their eyes and in the immediate area above their eyes.

When Botox is injected into the muscles that control these folds, the muscles relax, and the furrowed lines created by muscle tension slacken and vanish. The creation of smoother, softer-looking skin is the most popular cosmetic application of Botox.

Less commonly, people who have very prominent muscles around the "crow's feet" around their eyes or thick prominent muscles in the center of the neck can have these overused muscles relaxed through an injection of Botox.

In fact, some dermatologists use Botox to relax neck muscles and create a mini (lower) face- and neck-lift in people who cannot undergo surgical face-lifts.

If you have Botox placed into your forehead muscles, you risk having droopy eyelids or fallen eyebrows for up to several weeks after injection. While this risk can be minimized by following the very specific aftercare guidelines provided by your doctor, on rare occasions they still do occur.

The wrinkle-relaxing effects of Botox are not permanent, and repeat injections are needed to maintain wrinkle relaxation.