New research recently done by the University of Calgary has shown that the botulinium toxin, more commonly known as the anti-wrinkle drug Botox, can have serious effects on the surrounding muscles.

Botox is a toxin therefore it comes as little surprise that there may be residual side-effects to having the treatment. Botox is normally injected into muscles to paralyze them, tautening wrinkles and making the skin look younger. It can also be used in a variety of other ways such as in stopping or reducing the amount of sweat produced, and helping to cure some forms of urge incontinence.

The University of Calgary study shows that the toxin, once injected, may travel into the muscles surrounding the target muscle and that is it difficult to control how far the toxin will spread once injected. The muscle weakness may also then contribute to joint degradation.