History of BOTOX®
BOTOX® Cosmetic is one of the most popular cosmetic skin treatments. BOTOX® Cosmetic minimizes the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and creases by relaxing the muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles to form. BOTOX® is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive treatment that can take years off the appearance.
While many patients have come to rely on BOTOX® to eliminate crow’s feet, frown lines, and other facial wrinkles, the treatment actually hasn’t been around for very long.
Here, we discuss the history of BOTOX®, and how it paved the way for our Fullerton, CA patients to benefit from one of today’s most trusted cosmetic treatments.
Early Applications of BOTOX®
BOTOX® contains a highly purified form of the botulinum toxin. While this toxin can be lethal, it has been found to be completely safe in its purified form.
Dr. Alan B. Scott began experimenting with the purified formula in the 1970s. Dr. Scott introduced BOTOX® as a treatment for strabismus, or crossed eyes. He found that by injecting the formula into overactive muscles, he could temporarily paralyze them so that other eye muscles could take over and restore normal eye functions.
In 1989, after 10 years of FDA testing, a small company named Allergan, Inc. purchased the formula and began selling the product to ophthalmologists. When the product reached the market, it was used to treat strabismus and blepharospasm, or uncontrolled blinking. Initially, no one realized the cosmetic potential of this formula.
The Introduction of Cosmetic Applications
As the use of the BOTOX® formula became more common, doctors began to notice that the product had an unintended side effect. Patients who underwent treatment to address crossed eyes or uncontrolled blinking saw a decrease in wrinkles around the eyes and forehead. In 1992, Drs. Alastair and Jean Carruthers issued the first medical report suggesting that BOTOX® could be used for cosmetic purposes.
In 2002, the FDA granted approval for BOTOX® as a cosmetic treatment. Marketed as BOTOX® Cosmetic, this product provided temporary treatment of moderate to severe frown lines.
Doctors quickly began to realize the potential of BOTOX® cosmetic, and it grew popular as an aesthetic treatment for a number of facial wrinkles. Today, BOTOX® cosmetic is most commonly used to treat wrinkles around the eyes and along the forehead.
Global Popularity
Since FDA approval in 2002, it is estimated that 13 million vials of BOTOX® have been sold in the United States. However, the popularity of BOTOX® extends much further than the United States. As of May 2016, BOTOX® Cosmetic has been approved for use in 98 countries. It is the highest selling product of its kind worldwide. It is also one of the most widely studied products of its kind. In the 16 years since BOTOX® Cosmetic has been approved by the FDA, there have been nearly 500 peer-reviewed articles written about BOTOX®. It is clear that, though its history is not very long, BOTOX® has made its mark in the field of cosmetic dermatology.
Schedule an Appointment
BOTOX® Cosmetic dramatically reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles to give the face a softer, more youthful appearance. If you are interested in learning more about BOTOX® Cosmetic, and whether you may be an ideal candidate for treatment, schedule an appointment with Dr. William P. Baugh at your earliest convenience by calling (714) 879-4312.
