Botox is the brand name of a toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. Other brand names include Dysport and Xeomin. The discovery of the modern use for the toxin has its roots in Vancouver! In 1987, a dermatologist and a paediatric ophthalmologist found that uncontrollable blinking of the eye treated with botulinum toxin caused disappearance of wrinkles in surrounding areas such as the forehead. Back then the initial response was guarded, after all this is a neurotoxin that blocks transmission from nerves to muscles thereby paralyzing muscles – could it be dangerous? The Vancouver doctors conducted clinical trials to prove safety, presented their results at international meetings and Botox grew to its modern day popularity.

Botox is produced by a naturally occurring bacteria and has been modified for clinical use. It is a protein that prevents release of a neurotransmitter that normally contacts the muscle and causes muscle movement. When the neurotransmitter is blocked, the muscles no longer move, they relax and wrinkles caused by the muscle movement relax.