What is Botox?

Botox and Dysport (neurotoxins) are the number one cosmetic procedure in the United States today with millions of injections performed yearly. Despite this, many patients like you remain confused or misinformed about what it is and what it does. We’ve put together this at-a-glance page to help you better understand this popular and effective treatment.

Botox (Dysport) is:

• A drug that has been used safely for several decades. It was first used to treat painful muscle spasms of the neck and back. From there, it became an effective way to treat twitching of the muscle around the eye. Botox was first approved for use in muscle spasms in 1985 and has been used for cosmetic purposes since the mid 1990’s (Dysport was approved in Europe in 1988) .

• A highly-purified protein that is reconstituted (or mixed) in saline prior to use for injection. When purchased directly from the manufacturer, Allergan, (the only legal way to do it in the U.S.) an injector can meticulously control the amount of Botox that is given to each patient.

• An FDA-approved drug that has a better safety record than over-the-counter aspirin.

• A treatment that can smooth and erase existing lines and wrinkles as well as work preventatively to stop their formation.

Botox is not:

• A paralytic. Instead, it relaxes the muscle by blocking the neurochemical activity that triggers muscle contraction.

• An injection procedure that any type of practitioner or facility can or should do. To ensure that you receive the best results that help you look more naturally relaxed, awake and youthful, see an injector who has plenty of knowledge and experience in aesthetic medicine and regularly participates in ongoing training on the latest and safest uses for Botox Cosmetic.

• A treatment that causes you to look frozen or fake. As you can see from the photos on this page, a patient injected with Botox was able to smooth away a deep line across the forehead effectively while maintaining a natural and pleasing look to the area.

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