BOTOX^® injection treatments were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for cosmetic use in April 2002. (It has been approved for the treatment of several medical conditions since 1989.) BOTOX^® is a trade name for botulinum toxin A. BOTOX^® is related to botulism.

"BOTOX^® treatments" are a therapeutic muscle-relaxing agent that works at motor nerve endings (nerves that lead to muscles). BOTOX^® Cosmetic is a drug used for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines (frown lines). These frown lines come from muscles called corrugator and/or procerus muscles. The BOTOX^® injection treatment is the name used for the process of injecting the BOTOX^® Cosmetic product into the patient.

BOTOX^® is now a popular treatment for facial lines caused by muscle movement from various facial expressions. By injecting small amounts of BOTOX^® Cosmetic beneath these lines, the muscles relax. This allows deep facial folds to soften. It is commonly applied to diminish the vertical lines between the eyebrows and creases around the eyes as well as horizontal forehead lines. BOTOX^® Cosmetic requires a short office visit and the effect is usually noticeable in a few days. Injections need to be repeated every two to six months. In some cases, with an increasing number of treatments, the effect will last longer as the muscles become retrained.