Globally recognized for her expertise in research and clinical work in cosmetic surgery and non-invasive cosmetic procedures, Dr. Carruthers has played a pivotal role in the development of today’s cosmetics industry. With her husband, Dr. Alastair Carruthers, she pioneered the cosmetic use of botulinum A exotoxin (“Botox”) that has since grown to become the most commonly performed cosmetic procedure in the world.

In September 1987, the world of dermatology stumbled across botulinum toxin by accident.

In the early 80s, Dr Jean was one of the first doctors to use Botox for medical purposes in Canada, using it to treat blepharospasm, a condition that causes facial muscle spasms that force eyelids shut.

One day, one of Jean’s patients became angry that her forehead was not being injected. “But your forehead isn’t spasming,” Jean responded. “When you inject my forehead,” the patient said, “my wrinkles go away.”

She went home that night and said to her husband, dermatologist Dr Alastair Carruthers, “You know, I think I have something for your cosmetic frown line patients.”

The next day, Dr Jean talked her receptionist into being the first volunteer subject for the cosmetic use of botulinum toxin, getting Botox to treat a deep wrinkle between her eyebrows… and becoming Drs Jean and Alastair’s first test subject for evaluating Botox’s effect on wrinkles.

The first cosmetic Botox study began in 1987 and wasn’t published until 1991. It took 5 years for Drs Jean and Alastair to find 18 patients who were willing to participate! The only way to get patients was to have Jean volunteer her face as proof the procedure was safe and effective, having Alastair inject her… and thus inspiring her iconic quote: “I haven’t frowned since 1987”.

Since then, Botox has grown to be the most commonly performed cosmetic procedure in the world.