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The history of Botulinum toxin: from poison to beauty

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Summary

Botulinum toxin, also called the “miracle toxin,” is a neurotoxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. It is known to block nerve signals that contract muscles resulting in a temporary paralysis of the muscles. Toxins type A and B have been extensively studied and utilized in the realm of beauty and cosmetology. Initially, the toxin gained popularity as a disease-causing “poison”. It was only later that it found its way to becoming a must have in modern aesthetic practice. Today, this wonder toxin has proven to be an apt and convenient option in the field of anti-aging medicine.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro Studi per la Ricerca Multidisciplinare e Rigenerativa, Università Degli Studi “G. Marconi”, Rome, Italy

    Katlein França MD, PhD & Torello Lotti

  2. Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

    Katlein França MD, PhD

  3. Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

    Anagha Kumar

  4. Department of Nuclear Physics, Subnuclear and Radiation, G. Marconi University, Rome, Italy

    Massimo Fioranelli

  5. Psoriasis and Skin Clinic, Melbourne, Australia

    Michael Tirant

  6. University B.I.S. Group of Institutions, Punjab Technical University, Punjab, India

    Maria Grazia Roccia

Authors
  1. Katlein França MD, PhD
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  2. Anagha Kumar
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  3. Massimo Fioranelli
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  4. Torello Lotti
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  5. Michael Tirant
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  6. Maria Grazia Roccia
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Katlein França MD, PhD.

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Conflict of interest

K. França, A. Kumar, M. Fioranelli, T. Lotti, M. Tirant, and M.G. Roccia declare that they have no competing interests.

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França, K., Kumar, A., Fioranelli, M. et al. The history of Botulinum toxin: from poison to beauty. Wien Med Wochenschr 167 (Suppl 1), 46–48 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10354-017-0553-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10354-017-0553-7

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