Originally used for the treatment of crossed eyes, Botox is now used for limiting the action of muscles of the face which cause frown lines of the nose and forehead, crows foot lines, and wrinkles around the mouth. The mechanism of action is reversible weakness of targeted muscles. The injections are relatively painless, when done slowly, and show their effect within 7 days, lasting 4-6 months in most patients. Botox in the small doses used for cosmetic muscle relaxation is very safe, and effective.
Side effects are minimal, and complications, such as allergic reactions, are rare.
When Botox is used on specific muscles around the eyes, and over the lower forehead, the results can mimic the results of a browlift in patients without marked excess skin. Photos of representative patients are shown below. The inability to create the wrinkles over the nose and the crows foot lines after the injections are demonstrated at right. As a bonus, her frequent Migraine headaches have disappeared since the injections, as has been recently reported. This is because the orbital muscles which normally pull the corners of the brow down have been temporarily paralyzed by the Botox , relieving the crows foot lines as well.