Botox is an injectable toxin that works by blocking nerve signals to muscles, preventing them from contracting temporarily. This muscle relaxation smooths out dynamic wrinkles caused by facial movements like frowning or squinting, making the skin appear smoother and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
. Beyond cosmetic uses, Botox is also used medically to treat various conditions. These include:
- Neck spasms and muscle stiffness (spasticity)
- Chronic migraine prevention
- Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)
- Overactive bladder
- Eye disorders such as strabismus (misaligned eyes) and eyelid twitching
- Jaw muscle clenching and related headaches
- Some neurological disorders involving muscle contractions
The effects of Botox injections typically last from two to six months, after which muscle activity gradually returns and treatments may need to be repeated to maintain results
. Botox is generally safe when administered by a licensed healthcare provider, with adverse effects being rare and usually mild, such as slight asymmetry or bruising at the injection site
. In summary, Botox works by temporarily paralyzing targeted muscles to reduce wrinkles cosmetically and to relieve symptoms of several medical conditions by relaxing overactive muscles or glands.
