Botox has become the fastest growing cosmetic treatment in Britain, and plastic surgeons at a conference in London this weekend are worried some patients are becoming addicted.

According to a study of 80 British Botox clinics being presented by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) at its conference, the number of Britons receiving Botox injections jumped 50 per cent last year.

The study is being presented at the conference along with a checklist that helps cosmetic surgeons watch out for patients becoming Botox-dependent.

Injections of the toxin into the forehead or other areas of the face where wrinkles develop essentially paralyze the muscles that cause lines in the face.

"What it does is get rid of all the crow lines around my eyes, and basically, I had a really big frown line there," said model Jay Nicholls, pointing to the centre of her forehead. "(Botox) really makes you look a lot more alert."

At $700 a pop, a Botox treatment isn't cheap in Britain, but it sure is easy. You can be in and out in 10 minutes. Compare that to days or weeks required to recover from even simple cosmetic surgery procedures, which typically also involve bruising and swelling during the recovery.

The effect is only temporary, needing to be repeated every four to six months to keep wrinkled brows smooth. And as a result, anyone who has the injections frequently could be facing unknown health risks.

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