Updated November 9, 2023 - This article is several years old, but we have chosen to update it to remove references to prescription drugs as we are concerned that the article may be considered advertising for the drug in question.  In accordance withthe regulationson advertising prescription drugs, we are unsure whether we are allowed to write informative articles on the subject. To ensure that we do not break any laws, we are removing all references to the prescription drug in new and old articles on the subject. We have therefore replaced the name of the drug with [The drug] in this article.



Botulinum toxin Type A, which is its actual name, is a neurotoxin that has been used as a "muscle relaxant" and nerve blocker in medical treatment since the 1980s. Today, there are hundreds of medical uses for Botox besides wrinkle treatment, but TBL Medical Bergen will mainly focus on the cosmetic aspect of using [the drug].

Read also: 15 Things You Probably Didn't Know About [The Drug]

[Medicine] in the beauty industry – A coincidence?

The use of [the drug] in the beauty industry began by chance in the 1980s. It was the doctor couple Jean and Alastair Carruthers who discovered [the drug]'s amazing ability to smooth out wrinkles, purely by chance in 1987. [The drug] was already known as a muscle relaxant, but no one could have predicted that this effect would lead to such a dramatic positive change in the skin.

Dr. Jean worked as an ophthalmologist and used [the drug] to treat patients for strabismus and uncontrolled eye movement (known as leamus). Dr. Jean was naturally concerned about unwanted side effects from using this highly potent drug so close to his patients' eyes. Dr. Jean therefore paid extra attention to potential side effects and asked all patients to record any changes (side effects) that might occur after treatment.

In short, many reported side effects, but not of the negative kind. In fact, not only did some of the patient group get rid of their squints and blepharospasm, but all patients over the age of 30 reported positive side effects. They simply got rid of the wrinkles around their eyes after treatment by Dr. Jean. The rest is history. The FDA approved Botulinum toxin Type A for the temporary removal of frown lines in April 2002.

How does [the drug] work?

We have already established that Botox is a neurotoxin that is used as a muscle relaxant. But is Botox really a muscle relaxant in the true sense of the word? [The drug] works by blocking the nerves that tell the muscle to contract, so that the muscle remains in a relaxed position. This causes the skin around the muscle to be stretched out, thereby making wrinkles visually disappear. It may sound drastic to inhibit the muscles in the face in terms of facial expressions, but if the practitioner is experienced, you will still have natural facial expressions in the area being treated.

How long does treatment with [the drug] last?

This is a question with several answers, as there are many factors involved, but a rule of thumb is that the muscle inhibition lasts between 4 and 6 months. However, this does not mean that the wrinkles return, even though the muscle is back to full strength. After the skin has been "relaxed" for 4-6 months, it takes quite some time before the skin regains the furrows and wrinkles that were there before treatment. Factors that come into play when answering this question are: the patient's age and genetics, the treatment site, the size of the muscle to be inhibited, and how much the muscle in question has been used previously.

How long does it take to see results?

Again, this is a question with several answers, but a rule of thumb is that Botox achieves its full effect after about one week. This means that the muscle is inhibited after one week, but the skin usually needs another week to "straighten" out completely. After a total of two weeks, the Botox will have its maximum effect.

Is [the drug] a safe treatment?

Is it safe to have Botox injected into your face? We have learned that Botox is a neurotoxin and that it blocks signals to the muscles. "Surely it can't be safe to have this injected into your face?"
We understand that you may be skeptical when you read this, and it is healthy to have a healthy dose of skepticism about all such treatments.

[The drug] is considered a safe treatment for removing wrinkles. Millions of [drug] treatments are performed each year, and very few complications have been documented with this treatment.

The greatest danger with [the drug] treatment is choosing to be treated by someone who does not understand facial anatomy, as the practitioner may inhibit muscles that should not be inhibited. Choose a nurse with extensive experience and relevant training and education.

Which areas can be treated with [the drug]?

There are hundreds of different indications for use, but in the cosmetic world, it is mainly the following areas that can be treated with botulinum toxin

• Forehead – Across the forehead wrinkle (Frontalis)
• “Frown lines” – wrinkles between the eyebrows (glabella)
• Wrinkles around the eyes or so-called "crow's feet" (Obicularis Ocoli)
• Stop excessive sweating in the armpits (hyperhidrosis)

References: Wikipedia article
Read more about the different areas of Botox treatment