Neurotoxins are purified proteins produced from the Clostridium Botulinum bacteria.  The most common toxin is called Botox. They have been used for wrinkle therapy since the early 1990’s with no serious side effects documented.

Some of the common areas treated with neurotoxin include crow’s feet, frown lines, laugh lines, and forehead wrinkles. The toxin can also be injected to weaken the muscles responsible for a “gummy smile,” which can improve this appearance dramatically. Injections into muscles that lower the eyebrow or corners of the mouth can produce a form of temporary brow lift or lip lift.

New uses for neurotoxin include reduction in sweating of hands and armpits (hyperhydrosis) and relief of headaches.

Procedure

A small amount of toxin is injected right into the muscles that are responsible for creating wrinkles or undesirable facial muscle effects. This treatment is quick and results usually last for three to six months. The toxin temporarily inactivates the muscles that produce wrinkles, thereby causing lines to disappear or diminish dramatically. It usually takes a few days or weeks after the injection to notice the wrinkle smoothing effect.

After the first treatment, you may return for follow-up injections. Some doctors report that after several treatments, the effect of neurotoxin injection appears to last longer, often up to several months.

Possible complications

Complications from toxin injections to the upper eyelid include occasional bruising from the injection, and a temporary drooping of the eyelid, which rarely occurs after frown line injection. The injected medication is used in extremely small amounts and does not spread throughout the body so you can return to full activity immediately.

Neurotoxin injection can be used by almost anyone; however, patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding or who have a neurologic disease should not use it.