Botulinum Toxin

In cosmetic use, botulinum toxin type A most often targets dynamic lines in the upper face — the horizontal forehead lines, the frown lines between the brows, and the crow's feet at the outer corners of the eyes. Because it relaxes the muscles that create these creases, it suits lines driven by repeated expression rather than by sun damage or volume loss.

It is not a filler and not a resurfacing treatment. It does not add volume, lift sagging skin, or erase deep static lines that remain when the face is fully at rest. Relaxing the jaw muscle to slim a square face (masseter slimming) is a separate contouring use with its own entry; this article focuses on softening wrinkles.

Muscles contract because nerves release a signal called acetylcholine. Botulinum toxin type A temporarily blocks that signal at the treated muscle, so it contracts less and the overlying skin creases less. At the visit, the injector reviews your goals, watches you make expressions to map the target muscles, cleans the skin, and delivers a series of small injections with a fine needle. Most people describe brief pinches or stinging rather than significant pain.