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Botox is an abbreviation for Botulinum Toxin A, an injectable product that is a weakened form of Botulism, a muscle paralyzer. This a compound that is made by a species of bacteria (Clostridium botulism) that causes food poisoning and paralysis. In fact, the word botulism comes from the Latin word botulus which means sausage. This is because when the disease was first described about 200 years ago, it was noticed that many of the patients ate old sausage.

Recent technology enables the pharmaceutical (mostly Allergan) companies to make a weakened form of this toxin. It can then be injected in a relatively painless procedure that can decrease wrinkles in the face. There are also medical uses. In 2002, the FDA approved Botox to treat wrinkles on the face that are between the eyebrows. It did not approve it for other types of wrinkles, but it is often used for them anyway. What Botox does is literally paralyze the muscle at the injection site by blocking the chemical from the nerve (acetylcholine) that causes the muscle to contract.

The majority of patients who have Botox treatments for either medical or cosmetic reasons are pleased with the results. Nonetheless, there are side effects and the results are not permanent. In general, treatments for medical conditions are covered - at least partially - by health insurance while those for cosmetic reasons are not.