Botulinum toxins have been used for neck spasms, cranial nerve disorders and eye spasms. With the recent FDA approval of Botox® for cosmetic use in the glabellar region, the drug is used to smooth wrinkles. When injected into facial muscles botulinum toxins block nerve impulses, temporarily paralyzing muscles and smoothing wrinkles. Currently Botox® is the only form of botulinum toxin approved by the FDA for cosmetic purposes in the glabellar region, but two others, MyoblocTM and Dysport® are under FDA review for cosmetic use.

More than 1.1 million people had Botox® injections in 2002, according to ASPS, representing 15 percent of non-surgical cosmetic plastic surgery procedures. Fifty-four percent of all Botox® procedures were performed on people between the ages of 35-50.