Today, Botox is practically synonymous with smooth skin. But the billion-dollar wrinkle-smoothing industry exists entirely because of a happy medical coincidence in 1987.
The Eye Doctor and the Frown Lines
Dr. Jean Carruthers, an ophthalmologist, was using a diluted neuromodulator to treat patients suffering from involuntary blinking and crossed eyes (blepharospasm). During a routine treatment, an angry patient complained that Dr. Carruthers hadn’t injected her forehead.
When the doctor explained that her forehead wasn’t spasming, the patient replied, “I know, but every time you inject me there, I get this beautiful, untroubled expression.” Dr. Carruthers went home, told her dermatologist husband, and the modern cosmetic Botox industry was born.
Fun Fact: It Can Stop Your Sweat and Your Stress
- The Sweat Shield:Botox doesn’t just block signals to muscles; it also blocks the chemical signal that tells your eccrine glands to sweat. A quick treatment can keep underarms completely dry for up to 9 months.
- The Feedback Loop:New studies show that by physically preventing you from frowning, Botox sends a signal back to your brain that reduces the intensity of negative emotions like anxiety and sadness.
