Botox is refined botulinum toxin A which comes from the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. Injected directly into the muscle, Botox paralyzes the muscle by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses.
Doctors use Botox for both medical and cosmetic purposes. Botox injections can treat muscle spasms, wrinkles on the face, excessive sweating, pain from shingles and headaches.
The doctor will inject very small quantities of Botox into the appropriate muscle. The muscle will start to weaken over the next seven days. The pain from the shot will depend upon the area treated.
The effects of the Botox injection will begin to decrease within a couple of weeks after treatment. However, another treatment is usually not necessary for three to six months.
Botox injections are not risk-free. Minor headaches and bruising are a common side effect. Botox injections for wrinkles on the face can also weaken the muscle of the eyelid and cause droopiness. While the eyelid will often return to normal within a few days, the eyelid muscle can remain weak for an extended period of time.