Botox injections

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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Botulinum toxin type A is produced by a specific bacteria that causes the food poisoning botulism. Botox — the brand name for medicinal botulinum toxin type A — is the purified low-concentration form of the toxin. When injected in small doses into specific muscles, Botox blocks the chemical signals that cause muscles to contract. When the muscles can't tighten, the skin flattens and appears smoother and less wrinkled.

MY00078

Aug. 2, 2008

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