A wrinkled brow, crows feet around the eyes and furrows between your eyes are making you look much older than your years. You want to turn back the clock, but surgery scares you. Luckily, there’s a quick fix you can do on your lunch break, and come out looking years younger. Botox injections perk up your face when applied to wrinkles around the forehead and eyes. So, what is Botox and how does it work?

Botulinum toxin sounds like a biological weapon, but its just a purified form of the botulinum toxin type A. If that sounds familiar, it’s because this same toxin can cause food poisoning, known as botulism. It can be deadly when consumed in large doses. However, Botox as an injectable, is safe if used properly.

How does it get rid of wrinkles? A toxin is basically a poison and what this one does is block the muscle’s ability to contract. It relaxes the muscle and reduces the appearance of dynamic wrinkles in the face. Dynamic wrinkles are the ones that show up when you make any kind of facial expression - when you’re happy, sad, confused or mad. So, unless you have a poker face, these wrinkles are going to show up pretty frequently.

When your physician injects Botox into these wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes, it blocks the chemical signals that contract the muscles. In this relaxed state, the skin smoothes out and flattens giving the whole face a more relaxed look. The wrinkles seem to melt as the muscles relax.

Because dynamic wrinkles are pronounced during facial expression, you automatically age every time you smile, frown or even try to concentrate. By eliminating these wrinkles, you gain a more youthful appearance with results lasting about 6 months.

The good news is you can go in for repeat treatments as often you need, and the procedure can be done in as little as 10 minutes. There is controversy surrounding the use of this toxin as a cosmetic enhancer because of a few adverse reactions, and even death, due to fake Botox.

But, as long as you have an experienced physician administering the treatment, there’s no reason for you to be wary about getting the injections. Each injection is carefully calibrated to safe levels and the physician also takes into account the health of the patient prior to treatment.

Unless you can guarantee that the person giving the injections is an actual physician with experience, stay away from Botox parties! These events, which have grown in popularity, are hard to regulate, especially when it comes to the sterile nature of the equipment and the amount of treatment given. Remember, this is a toxin, so do take its use seriously.

Visit your doctor in his office and talk with her about what you expect. She will let you know what Botox treatment can and cannot do for you, and also show you examples of end results. You can perk up your face, get rid of wrinkles and look years younger without surgery.