This non-surgical and minimally invasive procedure is the number one cosmetic treatment in America, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

BOTOX® Cosmetics is a natural protein used for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe lines in the forehead, frown lines, and eyes in adult patients aged 18-65.

BOTOX® works by targeting and temporarily relaxing the muscles that cause fine lines and wrinkles. The Botox blocks the signal to the muscle to inform it to contract. Therefore, the muscle doesn't contract and the skin over the muscle relaxes, resulting in a much smoother and youthful appearance. The ten minute procedure consists of a series of tiny injections into the targeted area; the effects of BOTOX® are reversible and gradually wear off in about four to six months.

Click here for the most frequently asked questions on Botox.

Click Here To See FDA Article for more information.

What is Botox?
Botox injections are a diluted form of Botulinum Type A, that has been purifed and is injected into facial muscles to weaken the muscles that form wrinkles. There are no live bacteria in Botox Cosmetics. Last year, the procedure was performed in the United States more than 1.6 million times, a 46 percent increase since 2000 and a 2,356 percent increase since 1997.

The History of Botox
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, it 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 eyebrows.

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.

Botox is the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedure performed. In the year 2003 there were 2,272,080 botox injections performed. What kind of wrinkles do Botox injections treat? Botox can treat wrinkles that are caused by muscle contraction, such as frown lines, crow's feet, forehead creases, and neck bands.

Results of Botox Injections
Results are normally seen within a few days. The results generally last 4-6 months. To see before and after pictures, click here.

Recovery after Botox
There is generally no recovery period. There may be some red raised areas ("welting") after the procedure, but will be gone within 10 - 15 minutes. You can go directly back to your normal activities.

Safety and Side Effects
Botox® is proven to be safe and effective. Over the past 20 years, Botulinum Toxin Type A has been evaluated in more than 200 studies. There are no documented systemic complications associated with Botox® injections. Botox® has been widely used for more than 25 years with millions of people.