Botox seems so popular but is it really as safe as they say?
• Botox is often confused with botulism poisoning. The two are very different just like penicillin is very different from the mold it comes from. With botulism poisoning large quantities of toxin are ingested usually from a contaminated food source. When Botox is used for cosmetic and medical treatments the protein is purified from its natural source. This purification is carried out under strict quality control by the pharmaceutical company Allergan. During the treatment tiny amounts are delivered by injection into targeted muscle groups to relax them. There are no systemic effects. Botox has been used in medicine for over 20 years and has been extensively studied for its safety. It has a better safety and tolerability profile than many drugs we do not think twice about taking such as the use of tetracyclines when treating acne or rosacea. It is so safe that it is approved for use in children as young as 2 years old. I use it myself and would never do anything that I thought would jeo
