Botox (Botulinum Toxin) in London & UK

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History of Botox

Botox Toxin is a highly diluted form of Botulinum Toxin, an extremely dangerous toxin when in its pure state. In the 1820’s, the German doctor Justinus Kerner was investigating a series of deaths when sausages were consumed. After close examination Kerner saw that the symptoms of the mystery condition were droopy eyelids and eventually the shut-down of all vital organs. Kerner studied until he discovered that the cause of all these erratic deaths were at the fault of botulinum, a severe form of food poisoning. Further testing in Belgium in the 1890’s by Doctor Emile Pierre van Ermengem discovered different strands of the toxin that can make humans ill, and he named these strands from Botulinum Toxin A – G. In the twentieth century experiments into Botulinum Toxin took place, and after Doctor Brooks found that small doses of Botulinum Toxin A could relax the muscles for a short period of time a doctor called Alan Scott started testing the toxin on animals and found believed that since the small dose of Botulinum Toxin A could relax the muscles, perhaps it could be used to cure people of being crossed eyed. Years into his work, Scott was approved by the government of the time to use Botulinum Toxin A on humans instead of animals. His results showed that in highly diluted circumstances, Botulinum Toxin A was safe and effectively treated those with crossed eyes. After this breakthrough more investigation into the toxin took place and it was found that it could even cure facial spasms. In 1989 the FDA approved the use of Botolinum Toxin A for treating spasms and crossed eyes and the company Allergan bought the company previously owned by Scott and called the dilute ‘Botox’.

The remaining guide will use the term ‘Botulinum Toxin.’  

Popularity of Botulinum Toxin

The popularity of Botulinum Toxin kept growing and in the year 2000, the FDA approved Botulinum Toxin treatment for cervical dystonia. Two years later, the cosmetic benefits of Botulinum Toxin became apparent and the FDA approved the use of Botulinum Toxin to treat frown lines and wrinkles. In 2004 it was also approved to treat Hyperhidrosis and in 2010 the FDA approved the use of Botulinum Toxin to temporarily cure increased muscle stiffness in the upper body from the result of a stroke, known as Upper Limb Spasticity.  Botulinum Toxin is now being used in eighty countries for twenty years with the active ingredient being closely and vigorously studied for one hundred years. The expectations of Botulinum Toxin are very high and more uses for Botulinum Toxin are continuously being looked into and put into practise. It is a firm favourite of Jenny Mcarthy who believes that a small amount of Botulinum Toxin every few months improves her look and although cosmetic treatment can still be frowned on, it is becoming more and more acceptable.

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Who Can Have Botulinum Toxin? »