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Why it's done
By Mayo Clinic staffBotox injections temporarily relax the facial muscles that underlie and cause wrinkles, making them appear less noticeable. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Botox for adults ages 18 to 65 as a temporary treatment for moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows. However, Botox can be used to treat other facial wrinkles as well, such as the lines that fan out from the corners of the eyes (crow's-feet) and the forehead furrow.
When Botox injections may be a good option
Botox treatment areas may include:
- Frown lines between the eyebrows and on the bridge of the nose
- Crow's-feet at the corners of the eyes
- Forehead creases
- Skin bands on the neck
When Botox injections may not be a good option
Not all facial wrinkles benefit from Botox injections, however. Botox won't reverse wrinkling caused by sun damage. Also, it's less desirable to treat the lines around your mouth because muscles in this area are needed for eating and talking. Your skin type, skin thickness and degree of wrinkling all play a role in determining whether these injections are effective for you.
Botox and other health conditions
Besides a wrinkle treatment, Botox is also used to treat several health conditions, including headaches, backaches, eye muscle problems, muscle spasms and excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis). Also, researchers at Mayo Clinic have found that treating facial scars early on with Botox may improve the appearance of scars long term. This use for Botox is experimental, however, and hasn't been approved by the FDA.
