By Chris Cosci

Tired of those same old, boring parties? Need to add a little kick to your next get-together? Why not invite your friends over for a few drinks and a shot of federally approved poison to rid you of those unsightly facial wrinkles?

I'm referring, of course, to holding a Botox party. For those of you who aren't privy to this groundbreaking medicine, Botox is short for botulinum toxin, a severely lethal poison that, when administered properly, will relax the muscles that cause wrinkles.

In the past, botulinum toxin was a major instrument in the development of bio-chemical weapons. It was considered to be the single most poisonous substance known to man, and was a major threat due to its potency and ease of production. Exposure to this toxin would result in botulism, a severe case of paralysis, and death.

But now, it's a miracle drug! The Food & Drug Administration, notorious for taking centuries to approve medical products, gave their seal of approval to Botox last month. Botox is now officially recognized as a safe and effective way to give you smoother, younger-looking skin. However, due to the hazardous properties of this toxin, it should be administered by trained physicians, who can inject just the right amount in just the right spot, so you can look younger without that pesky risk of becoming paralyzed.

I know what you're thinking. Will this procedure interfere with my party-all-the-time liefestyle? This was the kind of thinking that led to the idea of Botox parties. Basically, Botox parties are your typical wine-and-cheese soirees, with the added bonus of getting stabbed with a syringe in the forehead. They have become the latest fad among trendsetters across the nation who realize that it's not who you are, but how you look that counts.

As a skin treatment, Botox has become popular due to its bargain-bin pricing. While the average facelift can cost thousands of dollars, Botox is available for a paltry $300-500 a shot. Additionally, there is no recovery time after a Botox shot. As soon as you get your shot, you're able to leave the doctor's office or head back to the bar for another white wine spritzer.

Now that we can help ourselves look younger, what can we do about recurring headaches? As it turns out, Botox can help with that, too! In fact, research has shown that Botox relieves headaches, eases neck and back pain, and helps treat excessive sweating. As if that weren't enough, Botox has also been shown to help control spasms, including those associated with Parkinson's Disease. This drug does everything! I can just imagine the infomercial: "Botox: Strong enough to kill an army of men, but safe enough to heal your pain."

However, as with other medical procedures, there are some down sides to the facial treatment. For one thing, the treatment only lasts for an average of six months. After that time, your wrinkles return, and you either have to live the rest of your life looking your age (perish the thought), or you have to get yourself another shot.

Also, Botox does come with its limited side effects. While, assuming proper administration, the probability of side effects is remarkably low, they do exist. If a shot is injected too close to your eyelid, it is possible that the eyelid will droop and effectively block your vision. Sure, this may seem like a problem, but after all, temporary blindness is such a small price to pay for looking good.