• Botulinum Toxin (Botox) for Facial Wrinkles

    Written By: Kierstan Boyd
    Apr. 24, 2018

    What is botulinum toxin for facial wrinkles?

    The first signs of aging are often wrinkles around your eyes, forehead, cheeks, and lips. Wrinkles are a normal feature of the human face. But many people feel wrinkles make them look tired or older.

    Photograph of forehead wrinkles before Botox
    Wrinkles on the forehead before botulinum toxin injection.
    Photograph of forehead wrinkles after Botox
    Wrinkles in the forehead are significantly reduced after treatment, even when the patient contracts her facial muscles.

    To reduce the appearance of wrinkles, some people choose to have injections (shots) of botulinum toxin. These injections are often called by their brand names, such as Botox®, Dysport® or Xeomin®. The injections relax certain muscles in the face, and certain wrinkles become less noticeable for a period of time.

    Types of wrinkles

    There are two types of wrinkles: dynamic wrinkles and very fine lines and wrinkles.

    Dynamic wrinkles are caused by facial muscles that move when you smile, laugh, and squint. These are often around the lips, on the forehead and between the eyebrows. They are also the “crows’ feet” at the corner of your eyelids. Everyone is born with dynamic wrinkles. As you age, these wrinkles get deeper and easier to see. Botulinum toxin can be used to make these dynamic wrinkles less noticeable.

    Very fine lines and wrinkles are formed when collagen in the skin starts to thin. Collagen is protein just beneath and within deep skin layers. Aging and sun damage cause collagen thinning. It makes the skin on your face stretch and sag, creating fine wrinkles. Botulinum toxin does not erase fine lines and wrinkles. However, there are other ways to reduce their appearance.