While the word Botox, may seem like a relatively new treatment, its history is long and well detailed. Botox has been used clinically for over 50 years.
Botulinum toxin comes from a bacteria called Clostridum botulinum. This bacteria was first identifed in 1897 by Emile van Ermegen. In 1928 Sommer and Snipe isolated the toxin from the bacteria. The mechanism of action of botox was then found in 1949 to decrease acetylcholine release. Acetylcholine is released from nerves to stimulate muscles to move.
The first clinical use of botulinum toxin was around 1968 by Dr. Scott ad Schantz who used it in strabismus. Rather than perform surgery for this condition, the innovators injected botulinum toxin into the muscles.
The cosmetic use of botulinum toxin was noted after patients reported improvement in their lines from injection of the toxin as a side effect. Dr. Carruthers (husband and wife) first described the us of botox toxin in a study in 1992. After exhaustive testing, Botox was approved by the FDA for cosmetic use in 2002. Later on, Dysport and Xeomin were similarily approved for cosmetic use.
1895 Bacteria Identified
1928 Sommer and colleagues purify type A toxin
1949 Burgen identifies Botox decreases Ach release
1968 Botulinum type A toxin used for strabismus
1992 Botulinum toxin type A use for glabellar lines
1989 Botulinum toxin approved for distribution
2002 Botox Cosmetic approved for glabellar lines
2009 Dysport Approved for glabellar lines
2010 Xeomin approved for glabellar lines