For over twenty five years, BOTOX® has been used to treat a number of problems in medicine. Two commonly recognized uses are for strabismus and blepharospasm. However over the last few year the use of BOTOX® to treat lines and wrinkles caused by underlying muscle pull has increased greatly. Some uses are currently considered "off label" uses. This means that the FDA has not given approval for their use in all these areas. This is not uncommon in medicine and the safety of BOTOX® has been shown over many years in different areas.
In April 2002 the FDA (United States) gave approval for the use of BOTOX® for deep lines of the glabellar region or central forehead. The use of BOTOX® is has since gained in popularity in North America.