A Brief History of Botox

Botox is a popular solution for those who want to soften and eliminate wrinkles on the face. We get a lot of questions about this injectable, so here is a brief history to help fill in the gaps (pun intended!).

Botox is a diluted form of botulism toxin — a protein complex produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. When used in a medical setting as an injectable, small doses block the release of a chemical called acetycholine by nerve cells that signal muscle contraction. It is injected into facial muscle to paralyze or weaken the muscle that forms wrinkles. The research on Botulinum toxins began in the 1960’s. In the beginning the research on Botox was done to help neurological disorders. In 1986 Botox was approved to treat eye muscle disorders, then in 2000 it was approved to treat the condition of cervical dystonia. In April of 2002, the FDA had enough studies done to show that Botox could soften frown lines for up to 120 days and the drug was approved for cosmetic use. (If something is FDA approved it has been through a multitude of testing before being released on the market and the results have proven that the drug is safe and effective for its intended use).

In 2003, 2,272,080 Botox injections were performed. It is the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedure today. Botox is used to treat frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead creases. It can also be used to treat severe underarm sweating.

According to FDA regulations Botox should not be injected more frequently than once every three months. And if you have any diseases affecting your nerves or muscles please let your doctor know. It is also not recommended if you are pregnant or are planning on becoming pregnant.

Dr. Christine Hamori has been administering Botox for over 4 years now along with other injectibles. It is very important to make sure that the person injecting you with Botox knows what he or she is doing. Since there is a lot of interest in this kind of procedure the last few years has been full of reports of false or immitation Botox that has resulted in terrible side effects. Only accept treatment at by a qualified facility and physician.

To learn if Botox or another injectible (sometimes used in combination) is right for you, please call or visit Christine Hamori Cosmetic Surgery + Skin Spa for a consultation.