Given all the hoopla about folks getting Botox injections for anything from droopy eyelids to sagging chins, you might wonder just what this thing does and how it works, especially if you’re new to Botox and fillers

Botulinum toxins are basically what Botox comes from. They were actually initially researched back in the 1960s. The original purpose behind them was for the treatment of neurological disorders. 1989 was the year when the FDA approved Botox for the treatment of wrinkles, crossed eyes, strabismus, uncontrollable blinking, blepharospasm, and other various eye muscle disorders. 11 years later, it got further approval for the treatment of cervical dystonia. This particular disorder can cause serious neck and shoulder contractions along with a rather atypical side effect involved eye disorders. In medical research, scientists and doctors were able to discover that Botox was effective in softening the frown lines that happened between a person’s eyebrows. Botox was official following this discovery, and the FDA approved it for this use in the middle of April in 2002.

When Botox gets injected into the forehead muscles, it actually blocks out nerve impulses that wind up resulting in weakened muscles which cause frowning. Over a number of months, if there are enough injections, then the frown lines start softening. In quite a few cases, they might even disappear totally. Botox is also injected into facial muscles responsible for frown lines, forehead lines, and crows feet.

It sounds scary, but Botox injections are in reality a diluted form of something known as botulism. That’s right, the very same botulism that makes people very, very sick. Cosmetic Botox is really the Botulinum toxin, just in a very purified form.

That might leave you wondering how it works to make you look more attractive instead of sick. Simply put, any time that you frown, smile, laugh, or actually do anything using your facial muscles, then wrinkles are created because of the underlying muscle contractions. After years of doing all these expressions, your face starts to show noticeable wear and tear. The lines even start becoming permanent. There’s no type of skin cream to get rid of permanent creases. However, Botox can step in here. After there are injections into impacted areas, the muscles are temporarily paralyzed so that you’re no longer able to make such expressions. Some critics of Botox think this means anyone who gets injections look semihuman or even mannequins. Then again, without the wrinkles, those getting injections look undeniably younger.

If you decide to get Botox, remember it usually takes multiple injections to see results. An average injection is almost $400, although there are price fluctuations depending on your local market and what part of the face is getting injected. Around the eyes can double in price, and larger areas like the whole forehead might triple that price.

Now that you’ve read this, you know about this history and pricing of Botox injections. Safety is always a big consideration here, so do your homework and research into any providers you consider using, especially if you’re new to Botox and fillers.