Let’s take a closer look into the evolution of Botox → from lethal bacteria to medical + cosmetic miracle! Botox is derived from the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, the same bacteria that causes botulism (a life-threatening form of food poisoning). WAIT, WHAT? Yes, you read it right! Although we use this same toxin for medical and cosmetic purposes, Botox contains a highly purified form of the bacteria. The effects also vary according to the amount and type of exposure -- this means Botox is very safe in SMALL doses! Medical professionals have reported to safely use anywhere from 400-600 units of Botox for muscle spasticity in children with cerebral palsy, whereas a face of Botox can average about 40-60 units. So yes, it’s considered a “toxin” but proves very safe in the hands of a qualified medical professional following the recommended dosages and guidelines.

After being discovered in the 1970s to treat strabismus (crossed eyes), the drug was then acquired by Allergan, Inc.. As the list of medical purposes for Botox continued to expand, doctors started to observe the exciting cosmetic results of the drug: a reduction in facial wrinkles where Botox was injected, resulting in a more youthful facial appearance.

This lead to the FDA approval of Botox for cosmetic purposes in 2002, triggering a “fountain of youth” frenzy. From there, Botox became the new black. It has become the most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatment, with more than 6 million treatments administered each year!

Ok, so we all love Botox….but from treating countless amounts of patients over the years I’ve found one common theme: the fear of frozen is real. Even though Botox may no longer be considered taboo, people still don’t want to look unnatural or “crazy”. Exhibit A: the Botox scene in Christmas with the Kranks is my favorite reference for what patients should NOT look like once their Botox kicks in.

Botox is safe + beautiful in the hands of the right injector. Please do your research and find an injector with aesthetic goals that match yours. Botox is not one dose fits all, nor one “look” fits all. At Defy Aesthetic, you’ll find we keep it natural and beautiful, hence why we call it a wrinkle reducer, not wrinkle eraser. Our goal: to make you your best version of age-appropriate. If that aligns with yours, we’d love to see you in the office.