Is Botox dangerous?

The science behind the No-tox movement.

Hello friends!

I get Botox. You probably already know that about me, because I’ve never tried to hide it. Aside from feeling weird about it in general (what’s wrong with looking the age you are?), the “tox” part of Botox has always freaked me out. Botox is a neurotoxin, which means every time I get it, I’m injecting a known toxin into my face.

But here’s the thing: Botox works. I’ve tried thousands of skincare products, and Botox is the one that makes the biggest difference. I also have very mixed feelings on contributing to the “anti-aging” requirements women are faced with; and I’m a woman in our society feeling that pressure (with an on camera job, no less).

While the known toxicity of Botox was more or less accepted in the cultural zeitgeist for a while, recently, there’s been a huge rise in the “Notox” movement.

Well podcast host Arielle Lorre, for example, says she had a terrible reaction to Botox, making her wonder why we’re not being more careful with what we’re injecting into our bodies on a semi-regular basis. Further, some claim Botox alternatives like red light therapy, face taping, microneedling, topical peptides, and more are just as effective.

So, what do we actually know about the safety of Botox? And is there a possibility that needle-free products can get the job done? I investigated so you don’t have to.

What is Botox?

First things first: What is Botox? The answer is actually kind of terrifying. Botox is a neurotoxin called botulinum toxin type A, derived from Clostridium botulinum, the same bacteria that cause botulism. It was originally used for medical conditions like muscle spasms and migraines, but is now widely used cosmetically. It works by paralyzing muscles.

“No matter how you slice and dice it, Botox is a neurotoxin,” Dr. Vivian Chen, a medical doctor who specializes in helping people reduce their toxic load, told me. “But, ‘dose makes the poison.’ So the true toxicity of Botox is a loaded question, because for the majority of adults, doses used in cosmetic procedures are extremely low and usually safe, provided it is pure and administered by someone who has been trained properly.”

In case you missed it: A bunch of women almost died of botulism after getting fake Botox at a medspa. Please don’t do that.

Yes, I take great care of my skin—but I get Botox, too.

What the short-term risks of Botox actually look like