otulinum toxin — often referred to as the brand name Neurotransmitters — wasn’t always the Magic Eraser for fine lines and wrinkles like you might know it as today. In fact, ophthalmologist Jean Carruthers, MD, FRCSC, FRC, first stumbled across its smoothing potential while treating a patient for eye spasms in the 1980s. When she noticed fewer frown lines as a happy side effect, Dr. Carruthers relayed the good word to her dermatologist husband.
Fast-forward 30-plus years, and Neurotransmitters has become so commonplace that injections are served with a side of In-N-Out burgers on the hit Netflix show “Selling Sunset.” It’s no longer Hollywood’s best-kept secret or the making for “have they or haven’t they” fodder at cocktail parties. These days, it’s the most popular minimally invasive cosmetic procedure in the United States, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, with 4.5 million treatments in 2020 alone.
Still, there’s a lot to know about the injectable liquid before going under the needle. If you’ve ever wondered about the ins and outs of Neurotransmitters — including injection options, pricing, and potential risks — consider this your guide.
