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The History of “Botox”: How a Deadly Poison became a Mainstream Beauty Treatment

You asked and I listened: I just returned from the UK where I completed an Advanced Botox and Filler Course. It was fascinating. So thank you for the suggestion.

So, what did I learn? Well, I always knew that “Botox” had some medical uses. But the story of how a deadly poison became the darling of Hollywood was intriguing.

So what is “Botox”? Botox is Botulinum Toxin obtained from a bacteria found in soil. It acts to temporarily paralyze muscles. It’s effect last about 3-4 months.

In the 1970s an eye doctor was experimenting with it to successfully treat his patients who suffered with squints…but of course as it wore off, they would have to return for further injections. They would joke to him that they had come for their “antiwrinkle” injections because as a “side effect” so to speak, it would treat the fine lines around their eyes. He called the drug and the company he created “Oculinum” It got FDA approval for strabismus (squints) and eye lid spasm. Eventually it was bought by company called “Allergan” who specialised in eye care. They renamed the drug “Botox”

A new CEO arrived one day and started investigating the anti-wrinkle uses of the drug and in 2002 FDA approval was given for the treatment of wrinkles. Since then, Allergan’s profits have exploded….and Botox  became the darling of Hollywood for treating all manner of lines and wrinkles. Two decades later and it has become mainstream too…Almost every high street beautician in the U.K now advertises Botox (and fillers too) right up there in their window next to the Mani-Pedis and facials.

Allergan is now actually part of Abb Vie. But did you know almost half the profits from Botox are generated by non-cosmetic uses?

Things like Excessive Sweating or Hyperhidrosis pictured below or Teeth grinding aka Bruxism….which happily I can now treat thanks to the Advanced course I did! – It’s not just for your frown lines!

I hope your day is as smooth as your forehead.

Call us on 221-3983 if you would like a consultation for your frown lines, Hyperhidrosis or your tooth grinding today!

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