Episode 28

bonus
Published on:

18th Mar 2026

Bonus Episode: Let's Go Get Botox!

What if I told you that one of the most popular beauty treatments today is made from one of the most powerful toxins known to science?

In this bonus episode, I'm breaking down what Botox actually is, how it went from food poisoning to a cosmetic staple, and why it's become so normalized that people are getting it done on their lunch breaks. We'll talk about how it works in the body, the side effects people don't always mention, and what repeated use might actually be doing long-term.

This isn't about fear or judgment - it's about understanding what's really going on beneath the surface. Because when something this powerful becomes routine, it's worth asking a few questions.

Are. You. Ready?

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Sources & Further Reading:

Medical Background on Botulinum Toxin

Simpson, L. L. — “The Origin, Structure, and Pharmacological Activity of Botulinum Toxin.” Pharmacological Reviews

Arnon, S. S. et al. — “Botulinum Toxin as a Biological Weapon: Medical and Public Health Management.” Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)

Nigam, P. & Nigam, A. — “Botulinum Toxin.” Indian Journal of Dermatology

History of Botox

Frank J. Erbguth — “Historical Notes on Botulism, Clostridium botulinum, Botulinum Toxin, and the Idea of the Therapeutic Use of the Toxin.” Movement Disorders

How Botox Works & Medical Use

Mayo Clinic — “Botox Injections: Overview, Uses, and Risks”

American Academy of Dermatology — “Botulinum Toxin Therapy”

Carruthers, J. & Carruthers, A. — “Botulinum Toxin Type A in the Treatment of Glabellar Rhytides.” Dermatologic Surgery

Side Effects & Safety Considerations

U.S. Food and Drug Administration — Botox Medication Guide and Safety Labeling

American Academy of Dermatology — Clinical Guidance on Botulinum Toxin Use

Mayo Clinic — Risks and complications of Botox injections

Long-Term Effects & Muscle Changes

Durand, P. D. et al. — “Botulinum Toxin and Muscle Atrophy: A Wanted or Unwanted Effect.” Aesthetic Surgery Journal

Mathevon, L. et al. — Research on structural muscle changes after botulinum toxin injection

Schroeder, A. S. et al. — “Muscle Biopsy Evidence of Long-Term Changes After Botulinum Toxin Injection”

Resistance & Immunogenicity

Benecke, R. — “Clinical Relevance of Botulinum Toxin Immunogenicity”

Bellows, S. et al. — Research on antibody formation after repeated botulinum toxin exposure

Stephan, F. et al. — Studies on resistance to botulinum toxin therapy

Cosmetic Industry & Botox Trends

American Society of Plastic Surgeons — Plastic Surgery Statistics Report

Meredith Jones — Skintight: An Anatomy of Cosmetic Surgery

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INTRO/OUTRO MUSIC:

FASION/ '1-800-DIRTY'/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

www.epidemicsound.com

Show artwork for Beauty Unlocked the podcast

About the Podcast

Beauty Unlocked the podcast
Buckle up and get ready as I delve into a variety of topics regarding physical beauty.

We'll take a look at our society's obsession with physical beauty and the consequences these impossible beauty standards have had on us.
Let's face it; this fascination regarding physical beauty and body image isn't a recent phenomenon; it has been around for centuries, crossing borders, and has affected men and women alike.
The realization of this podcast has come about by my own experiences having to deal with society's perverse notion of physical "perfection" and researching an array of topics that have intrigued me over the years.
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About your host

Profile picture for Carissa Vikis

Carissa Vikis

Hey there!
I'm Carissa, host, content creator, and producer of the indie podcast Beauty Unlocked.
Growing up, I was frequently compared and criticized for my looks and weight. This started the vicious cycle of being self-critical and loathing my body. I knew I wasn't the only one suffering from society's ridiculous notion of what "we should look like." I started digging deeper and researching various topics, and the rest is h(er)story!
Beauty Unlocked The Podcast aims to educate and bring awareness of our society's obsession with physical beauty and the emotional consequences these impossible beauty standards have. Beauty Unlocked's social media platform showcases not only my work but that of other artists, illustrators, and fellow podcasters that I admire and that share a similar message of inspiration, empowerment, positivity, and raising awareness on a variety of social issues.