Botulinum toxin is a purified form of one of the most potent poisons in the world.
In high doses, it can cause the clinical disease botulism. However, in carefully administered low doses, it is useful in reversing the effects of aging skin. Frown lines, crows feet, and other wrinkles which are caused by the use of small muscles in the face can be dramatically softened with botulinum toxin, an injectable agent used to paralyze these muscles. In addition, botulinum toxin decreases the patient's ability to frown or squint which prevents the progressive worsening of these lines over time. Thus, botulinum toxin is both corrective and preventative for aging skin.