The Fascinating Origins of BOTOX® Explained

While some people are open to aging naturally and believe lines add character to their face, having a “perma frown” or “computer face(?)” may make others feel self-conscious. For people seeking an improvement, there is BOTOX^®, a neuromodulator, which is a substance that impacts the activities of nerve cells. This injectable temporarily reduces the severity of lines and wrinkles on the face, and is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to soften crow’s feet, angry elevens between the brows, and horizontal wrinkles on the forehead. It also has a wide range of other uses. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Deborah Spey and Dr. Rachael Hartman, who regularly administer BOTOX^® injections in New Jersey and the surrounding area, explains that the amazing effects of BOTOX as we know it today were stumbled upon quite accidentally.

BOTOX^® has had an undeniable influence on the beauty industry for around two decades and, as shown in statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, it continues to reign supreme as the most frequently performed minimally invasive procedure in the United States each year. Its primary bioactive ingredient is a powerful neurotoxin known as botulinum toxin type A, protein derived from clostridium botulinum—a bacterium found in many environments around the world.

Small doses of the purified form of this substance can be introduced directly into the target muscles. This interrupts the communication process of neurons, thereby inhibiting the release of chemical signals that tell the muscles to contract. Muscle activity can be effectively reduced for a period of about three months, during which time the overlying skin appears smoother and more youthful.

It’s easy to understand why the treatment has been enormously successful: Women and men alike enjoy the convenience of having little to no preparatory responsibilities, no painful recovery period, and results that show up within days. Patients can book injections on the same day as their first consultation, and then go back to their daily routine when the session is over. Moreover, results can be very subtle and discrete, meaning that most people won’t be able to tell whether someone has had “work” done—especially when treated by an experienced provider.

But how did this globally popular treatment arise?

Despite being famous for eliminating wrinkles, BOTOX^® was originally created purely for medical purposes. In the 1970s, doctors began researching the potential medical applications of the formula, such as treating crossed eyes. The drug was originally branded as Oculinum. Around 30 years ago, BOTOX^® was introduced for the first time, but used entirely for therapeutic applications to address neurological and muscle disorders like spasticity and blepharospasm (a condition that causes uncontrollable blinking of the eyelids).

Canadian doctors Jean and Alastair Carruthers realized the cosmetic potential of BOTOX^® when, in 1987, one of Jean’s blepharospasm patients pointed out that the injections had the added benefit of eliminating her crow’s feet. It appeared that they had found a solution for Alastair’s dermatology patients who complained about their lines. Researchers continued for years after this discovery, assessing the safety and efficacy of BOTOX^® Cosmetic for minimizing the signs of aging on the skin.

In 2002, after many years of clinical research, the FDA approved BOTOX^® for aesthetic usage in eliminating glabellar frown lines. Since then, it has been permitted for use treating lines on the forehead and around the outer corners of the eyes. A few years later, it was given approval to treat the symptoms of chronic migraines. Since then, it has become a global phenomenon, used to curb everything from excessive sweating to hyperactive bladders.

Have questions about BOTOX^® injections? The team at Advanced Dermatology & Skin Care has answers. Contact the New Jersey-based practice directly by calling (973) 731-9600 or sending a message online.