Botox Found "In a Blink"
Popular cosmetic procedure marks
15th year as therapeutic medicine
NAPSI

Drs. Jean and Alastair Carruthers, discoverers of the cosmetic uses of Botox.

It seems that in the blink of an eye BOTOX® Cosmetic has become a household word, but it is actually celebrating its 15th anniversary as a therapeutic medicine. It was through the use of Botox for two rare eye disorders, that a Canadian husband and wife team pioneered the cosmetic use of Botox. The Carruthers continue to work together with Botox and recently revealed some of the findings of their research to the American Academy of Dermatology. As the story goes, Jean Carruthers, M.D. had the drug and Alastair Carruthers, M.D. had the patients. "You can say it was over pillow talk that one of the world's most popular drugs was discovered," explained Dr. Alastair Carruthers, Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of British Columbia.

"The extensive ophthalmic data on the safety and efficacy of Botox convinced me that it could be used to enhance appearance."

Dr. Jean Carruthers is Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of British Columbia, who specializes in treating patients for blepharospasm, a rare, debilitating eye disorder that involves excessive blinking and can lead to functional blindness.

"One of my blepharospasm patients who was successfully treated with Botox requested ongoing treatment even though her symptoms were no longer present," said Dr. Jean Carruthers.

"I asked her why and she told me that each time she received the injections, the wrinkle between her brows seemed to disappear and she would have this relaxed, untroubled expression. Needless to say, I was eager to share this interesting cosmetic result with my husband."

A retrospective review of safety cosmetic use data compiled during more than 15 years of Botox use found it safe and well-tolerated when used for multiple treatment sessions over an extended period of time, when administered by a qualified and trained health care professional.

"To our knowledge this is the first study to assess the safety of Botox with long-term use in the aesthetic practice setting," explained Dr. Alastair Carruthers.

While Botox has become one of the most sought after cosmetic procedures, it is approved by regulatory authorities in more than 70 countries for 20 different indications, including excessive underarm sweating and movement disorders. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, Botox Cosmetic was the number one non-surgical cosmetic procedure in the U.S. in 2003. Visit www.carruthers.net for more information. [NAPSI]

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