How does botulinum toxin minimize wrinkles?

Botulinum toxin is a natural neurotoxin derived from a bacterium and is widely used in different areas of medicine. Its effect is due to its capacity to block nerve impulses.

Botulinum toxin has been proven to be an efficacious therapeutic agent in neurology indicated to relax muscle spasms. If botulinum toxin is injected into the muscle it blocks the nerve impulse thus preventing the muscle from contraction. Nevertheless, other nerve functions such as sensory sensations and impulses are not inhibited.

Esthetic dermatology makes use of botulinum toxin in order to minimize mimic wrinkles such as glabellar frown lines or periorbital wrinkles (crow's feet). In some cases botulinum toxin might be used in order to correct mimic wrinkles in the lower part of the face.

Furthermore, botulinum toxin has sucessfully been proven to be efficacious in the treatment of hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) and has been approved for this indication.

A few days after the injection botulinum toxin develops its effect that lasts up to 4 to six months. Afterwards the treatment can be repeated without any problems.

Unwanted side effects are rare if the botulinum toxin injections are applied by a dermatologist or other medical specialist. In rare cases a slight irritation or swelling of the skin might be observed, sometimes small hematomes can develop. Therefore it is recommended to stop medication with blood thinning agents such as acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) one week prior to the Botox® treatment.