It's not as outlandish as it sounds, given a soon-to-be-unveiled study that says the FDA-approved, wrinkle-smoothing injections can be addictive.

Based on surveys completed in 81 clinics, the study, spearheaded by a British psychologist, shows that four out of 10 people receiving regular botulinum toxin injections, known commercially as Botox, had "a compulsive motive" for doing it. Botox users can develop behavioral addictions to the treatments but do not become chemically dependent on the toxin, according to the findings.

An Upper East Side cosmetic surgeon, Paul Lorenc, said that while about 90% of his cosmetic Botox patients return for twice or thrice-yearly follow-up injections, the medical community shouldn't mistake their enthusiasm for a dangerous addiction. "It's positive reinforcement that brings people back," he said. "They get a very nice result."

Dr. Lorenc, the author of the 2004 book "A Little Work: Behind the Doors of a Park Avenue Plastic Surgeon," said he has encountered patients who have unhealthy obsessions with cosmetic procedures other than Botox injections. "It's our job to screen out those people who are pathologically addicted," he said. "Have I seen them? Yes. Have I operated on them? No."

A cosmetic dermatologist, Francesca Fusco, said she occasionally has to "put the brakes on" when a patient too frequently comes in for treatments.

This is cache, read story here