In this day and age, the tendency of people is to go for the quick fix. As with most of these quick fixes, there come consequences.

First off, Botox® is a neuro-toxin (Botulinum toxin). This is a toxin which our body has no antidote for. The toxin has an accumulative effect and some may experience flu type effects after an injection depending on dosage. Since the injection is normally administered numerous times throughout the year to keep up appearance, the detrimental effects after years of use can have quite an impact on ones health.

Botox is a typical neuro-toxin that paralyzes the conjunction between nerves and muscles, and while the paralyzation of the muscle causes a temporary improvement in the appearance of wrinkles, it can also cause deformities and facial paralysis.

I will only use Botox for special indications. These indications include severe spasms, patients with neurological conditions, or patients after a spinal chord injury with spasms. There are other methods to release the spasms, but if all other methods fail or are not appropriate for the patient, I will use Botox. This relief of spasms was the first medical method use of Botox, and I feel the only appropriate method.

As a doctor, you want to help people, not harm them, and I feel the unnecessary use of a toxin for beauty concerns is harmful to the overall health of a person.