Botox® (botulinum toxin type A) is a medication that is primarily used to temporarily paralyze specific muscles in the face and body.
It is most often used to improve the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines caused by muscle contractions. Botox® is FDA-approved for several cosmetic uses, including:
- Wrinkles and Fine Lines: Botox® can be used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on the forehead, between the eyebrows (glabellar lines), and around the eyes (crows feet)
- Excessive sweating: Botox® can be used to reduce excessive sweating in the armpits, palms, and soles of the feet.
- Lip lines: Botox® can be used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and lines around the mouth.
- Gummy smile: Botox® can be used to reduce the appearance of a gummy smile, which is a condition in which too much of the upper gums are visible when smiling.
Botox® is not a treatment to correct the wrinkles caused by aging skin such as wrinkles caused by sun damage, loss of collagen and elastin, or volume loss. Treatments such as dermal fillers, laser and light therapies, chemical peels, and microneedling can help improve the appearance of wrinkles caused by aging skin.
Botox® is a cosmetic treatment and not a permanent solution. Results are temporary and the effects last for about 3 to 6 months and treatment will need to be repeated periodically to maintain the results.
It is important to work with a qualified healthcare professional, such as a dermatologist or plastic surgeon, to ensure that the treatment is safe and effective.
Source: Vivacare
Last updated : 1/27/2023