Since it first earned FDA approval for cosmetic applications 1989, BOTOX®, also known as botulinum toxin, has quickly become the most common cosmetic procedure in the United States. In fact, the American Academy of Plastic Surgeons estimates that 7.4 million injections were performed in 2022 alone. But what is it, and where did this injectable treatment come from? Here’s a brief history of BOTOX®, and how your dentist can use it to make you appear more youthful!
What is BOTOX®?
BOTOX® is an injectable cosmetic product that uses a bacteria known as botulinum toxin to freeze certain facial muscles. When injected directly into wrinkles and fine lines, this creates a temporary smoothing effect that makes your face look years younger and more refreshed. Though results will vary, most treatments last between three and six months, and can be redone over and over again.
The History of BOTOX®
The story of how BOTOX® began being used in cosmetic treatments started when a Belgian scientist named Emile Pierre van Ermengem discovered it during a botulism outbreak in Belgium. Years later in the 1920’s, researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, attempted to isolate it, but it wouldn’t be for another 20 years before this was successfully done in crystalline form by Dr. Edward Schantz.
By the 1970s, scientists were using botulinum toxin to treat an eye condition called strabismus, where the eyes are crossed. During a laboratory test involving monkeys, researchers realized that in addition to temporarily correcting strabismus, it also reduced wrinkles in the glabella, which is the skin between the eyebrows and above the nose. Soon after, Allergan became the first company to license the treatment, naming it BOTOX®.
Today, it has earned numerous FDA approvals for treating a variety of issues from strabismus to urinary incontinence, excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), migraine headaches, and of course fine lines and facial wrinkles.
Why Should I Get BOTOX® from My Dentist?
Due to its popularity, BOTOX® is now available from your dentist. If you think about it, dentists are the perfect people to provide BOTOX® injections, because they are innately familiar with the musculature of the face, and of how those muscles work together. Your dentist is also well-trained in facial aesthetics, as they must be able to harmonize your smile with the rest of your face during many cosmetic and oral health treatments. This can be especially beneficial when treating fine lines and wrinkles, because they have a keen understanding of where to inject BOTOX® for results that not only look and feel natural, but that also prevent that frozen look that sometimes occurs at the hands of unskilled injectors.
Remember, though BOTOX® got its start as a negative, modern science has now ensured that it is safe and effective for temporarily treating a variety of issues, including fine lines and wrinkles. If you’d like to learn more about BOTOX® and how it can help restore your youthful appearance, speak to your dentist today!
About Dr. Artino
Dr. Vincenzo Artino earned his dental degree at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, where he focused on fixed prosthodontics and cosmetic dentistry. In 2017, Dr. Artino took over the practice of Dr. Steven Baumgart, where he still works today to provide high-quality, compassionate care to patients of all ages.
If you are interested in reversing the hands of time and improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with the help of BOTOX®, please schedule a consultation with Lakewood Complete Dentistry today, and let us show you how this innovative injectable can make you look more youthful. To schedule your consultation, please visit our website or call us today at 303-238-2800.