In the Second World War, it was considered the deadliest substance in the world, and

despite secret experiments by the Americans to see if they could use it against the enemy,

the botulinum toxin was just too risky to use.

Then, in the 1970s, a scientist who was testing it on monkeys discovered that it might be

quite useful in treating twitching eyelids and crossed eyes.

But it wasn't until the 1980s that there was an accidental breakthrough.

Patients, being treated for eye problems, found their injections were also having an incredible

effect on their skin.

The doctors doing it realised, oh my gosh, they've got lovely smooth foreheads.

In the decades that have followed the use of that toxin, now better known as Botox has

become a six billion dollar business around the world.

Botox is the most common cosmetic procedure in the world, followed by dermal fillers,

which is number two.

Brookings for aesthetic treatments such as lip filler and Botox have gone up by 512%.

It's gone from being the niche preserve of celebrities to being so common and so readily

available that in 2021 an estimated 900,000 Botox injections were performed in the UK alone.

But should this burgeoning industry be more regulated?

Now we just get her to raise her eyebrows up, so these are expression lines and what

happens is, is over a period of time they become more etched in into the face.

This is an ideal indication for Botox.

You're listening to stories of our times from the times and the Sunday times.

I'm Manvina Rano.

...