Botulinum Exotoxin: Aesthetic Applications

ABSTRACT

For many decades, botulism has held the attention and respect of home canners and grocery store consumers alike. Although a rare disease with a median of only 24 food-borne occurrences in the United States each year,¹ the fearsome reputation of botulism is well deserved, as the toxin is one of the most deadly substances found in nature.² Recently, botulism has gained considerable attention in the lay press for its association with black tar heroin and as a possible weapon of terrorists. Understandably, after generations of paranoia, patients offered botulinum toxin injections are often skeptical, not only of the medication, but also of the proffering physician. If we are to use this potent toxin for elective, aesthetic procedures, we must fully understand its mechanism of action and convince both ourselves and our patients of its safety.

Keywords

Botulinum toxin - therapeutic uses - contraindications