Botox 101: What you need to know about the cosmestic procedure

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Everyone wants to look their best and a popular cosmetic treatment like Botox can help get rid of those pesky little lines on our face that seem to deepen over time.

Many questions come to mind when considering a treatment that is not immune to testimonies of botched jobs scattered across the internet.

Here is a quick Botox 101 manual according to American Society of Plastic Surgeons to answer questions you might have about the procedure.

• What is Botox?

Its medical name is Botulinum toxin, but it's most more commonly know it as Botox. Despite its septic-sounding name, Botulinum toxin is actually a safe purified substance that's derived from bacteria.

• Interesting. So how does it work?

Injections of Botox work by blocking muscular nerve signals, so that the muscle is weakened and doesn't contract. That's how it works to treat crow's feet, forehead furrows, frown lines and skin bands on the neck.

• What happens during the procedure?

A very thin needle is used to inject small amounts of Botox into specific muscles. Those very specific pinpoints are chosen by your health provider, an injection is administered to weaken the muscle that's producing the wrinkle, and if done right, it will preserve your natural facial expressions. The whole procedure usually takes only 15 minutes.

• How long will it take me to recover?

No anesthesia is required with Botox, so you can get back to your regular activities as soon as you're done.

One thing to remember is you don't want to rub or massage the treated areas after the wrinkle treatment because it can cause the Botox to migrate to another area of your face. This could lead to temporary facial weakness or drooping.

• How much will it cost me?

Remember the saying "you get what you pay for." It definitely applies in this instance as well. An average of $382 has been reported by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, but that's not to say it can't cost more or less. The cost can be based on the expertise and qualifications of the person performing the treatment. That's something to keep in mind while shopping around.

• How long do the results last?

It could take up to a week to see the complete effect, but when you finally do see those results, you can expect them to last at least three to four months.

• Is it safe?

Botox has been FDA approvedand is considered safe.

As with any cosmetic procedure, there can be risks involved. While they are minimal with Botox injections, it is very important that the person who administers your injections is a qualified healthcare professional.

Botox can be a beneficial treatment to help achieve and maintain a youthful appearance. As with any treatment, make sure it's right for you before diving in.

MONDAY AT 10PM: Botox is becoming more than a cosmetic injection. It now has more than 800 medical uses and Rebecca Spera shows you how it's changing lives for the better.