Dr. Arikian
Dear Readers,
You know, I have never quite understood why actors — who make their livings off expression — would choose to have a toxin that freezes the muscles responsible 
But the obsession with youth in Hollywood is a powerful one — one that has led to people from all walks of life following in the frozen-faced footsteps of celebrities, despite plenty of news of the potential dangers associated with Botox and other cosmetic injections.
In fact, we’ve discussed a few of those dangers over the years. Last winter, we even covered the story of a woman who took Allergan, the makers of Botox, to court, claiming that her daughter was killed by the drug (“Did Botox lead to a child’s death?” 2/10/2010).
You couldn’t get me to go near the stuff if you paid me. But I certainly know plenty of people who have gone down that road, emerging from injection sessions with the smooth, eerie faces that always make me think of the Stepford Wives.
Well, now it seems these women may have even more in common with those famous suburban robots.
Because a study published in the journal Social Psychology and Personality Science suggests that Botox may not just numb the muscles that create facial expressions — it may also rob users of their empathy.
That’s right — that frozen face could go with a frozen heart.
A research team based at the University of Southern California compared the use of Botox and Restylane to a gel that amplifies facial signals.
The researchers found that, when your own facial muscles are numbed, you aren’t as good at perceiving others’ emotions, meaning you can no longer respond normally to their emotional signals and lose your ability to feel empathy for another person.
We read emotions by copying facial expressions, which kicks off signals to the brain that help us understand what another person is feeling.
Since Botox hinders the ability to copy facial expressions, the “muscular signals from the face to the brain are dampened, you’re less able to read emotions,” according to the researchers.
Yes, we all want to fight the signs of aging.
But there are plenty of powerful ways to do so without injecting poison into our faces — and without taking away our ability to express and understand emotions.
Yours in good health,