Since its introduction to the market in 1989, Botox has become a household name. It has revolutionized the way we look at aging and beauty, and its therapeutic capabilities have been used to treat a wide range of medical conditions. But how did it all begin?In the 1950s and 1960s, scientists were able to purify botulinum toxin A and began researching its use for therapeutic purposes. It was used as early as the 1960s to treat strabismus or squints.
In the late 1980s, it was approved by the FDA and was regularly used to treat eye drops and spasms. It was then that an eye doctor, Jean Carruthers, observed that when patients were treated for eyelid spasms with the toxin, there was an additional side effect: the reduction of forehead lines. He published an article on the subject in 1992 and, once the word got out, Botox (as it was now called) became the most popular option in town. In 1986, Scott's micromanufacturer and distributor of Botox could no longer supply the drug because he couldn't obtain liability insurance for defective products. Patients became desperate, as Botox supplies were gradually being consumed, forcing him to abandon patients who should receive their next injection. Formulated to relax facial muscles that lead to the formation of dynamic wrinkles, Botox may be the answer.
Used to treat a large number of health problems and for aesthetic purposes, Botox is derived from a small magical bacteria that began its journey as a villain, but is now the hero of men and women around the world because of its wide spectrum of therapeutic capabilities. Botox was approved by the FDA for cosmetic use in 2002 and, since then, it has remained the number one non-surgical procedure in the United States. Botox has also been approved by the FDA to treat several medical problems, such as hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), chronic migraines, and overactive bladder, just to name a few. Patients should not receive Botox if they have a neuromuscular disorder, if they are taking aminoglycoside antibiotics, which cause increased sensitivity to the drug, or if they are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding. Dr. Putterman, who participated in the first clinical trials with Botox, said there is no data to suggest that patients should limit the number of injections they undergo.
If you've been looking forward to seeing what Botox can do to refresh your appearance but were reluctant because you weren't sure of its safety, Umansky Plastic Surgery can help. Patients with blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm, for example, require Botox injections along the crease of the eyelid and are at greater risk of developing upper eyelid ptosis. The incidence of upper eyelid ptosis when Botox is injected for cosmetic indications is much lower and rarely occurs when the product is administered correctly. In this first article in a three-part series, Ocular Surgery News recounts the story of Botox and examines its current applications. Botox uses a very small dose of neurotoxin to block the release of acetylcholine which disrupts the signaling process of neurons that activate dynamic expressions.
