What cosmetic procedure involves injecting a substance to reduce wrinkles?

Botox injections are specifically designed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles by temporarily paralyzing the muscles that cause them. The active ingredient, botulinum toxin, blocks the signals from the nerves to the muscles, which prevents the muscles from contracting. This results in a smoother skin surface and reduces the visible signs of aging, such as crow's feet and frown lines.

In contrast, dermal fillers involve the injection of substances like hyaluronic acid to add volume and plump up areas of the skin, making them effective for filling in wrinkles rather than paralyzing muscles. Microdermabrasion is a non-invasive exfoliation technique that removes the outer layer of dead skin cells to improve skin texture and tone but does not involve injections or target wrinkle formation at the muscle level. Similarly, chemical peels utilize acids to exfoliate the skin and encourage new skin growth but are not injections. Therefore, Botox injections are the most direct method for reducing wrinkles through muscle relaxation.