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An interview aired on Good Morning America last week sharing the story of San Francisco pageant mom, Kerry Campbell, who defended her decision to inject her daughter’s face with Botox® in preparation for several children’s beauty pageants. This news story highlights the importance of understanding what is and is not acceptable in the world of cosmetic skin treatments.

As a board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon who’s abided by the Hippocratic Oath for nearly two decades, I’ve devoted my career to helping patients.  This story affects me further because I too am a parent. I feel sympathy for Ms. Campbell as she’s clearly made an unwise decision here, and there will most likely be long-term repercussions for Campbell and her little girl. Moral judgment aside, I’d like to use this incident as a vehicle for discussion and an opportunity to educate consumers about the dangers of under qualified injectable providers and the effects such procedures can have on the wrong patients. 

Botox® can be used in children to minimize the symptoms of neuromuscular disorders, like muscle spasms, when performed by a neurologist or a board certified pediatric specialist.  Given the components of Botox®, a purified form of the neurotoxin botulinum, cosmetic treatment should only be used in adult patients whose bodies are finished growing.  Without the proper administrator, facial injectables can cause impaired physical development, eyelid drooping, and temporary muscle paralysis. 

There are only four types of individuals who are legally permitted to administer Botox® Cosmetic in Georgia:  board certified doctors of medicine, physician assistants, registered nurses, or nurse practitioners under the direction of a physician.  Because only M.D.’s can legally purchase the product, it is up to those physicians to uphold their ethical, legal, and moral values in deciding who they will entrust to administer the treatment to their patients.  This story is a prime example of how consumers should guard themselves with as much knowledge as possible when contemplating any cosmetic surgery or skin treatment. 

The field of medicine is a delicate blend of science and art: the art portion being the creative application of said science.  There is, however, a line that needs to be drawn between doctor and patient with the amount of artistic license granted to any cosmetic surgeon.  I encourage all of my Atlanta cosmetic plastic surgery patients to ask me their questions, investigate my credentials, and use good judgment when it comes to pursuing cosmetic procedure(s). 

Visit my website and read my blog to learn more about my plastic surgery experience or the plastic surgery and cosmetic skin treatments I offer my Atlanta patients.