This week, the Internet is buzzing about a horrifying story concerning a California mother giving her 8-year-old daughter Botox injections.
In an interview with the London Sun newspaper, the mother said, "When Britney takes part in (beauty) pageants, parents talk about how they have given their daughters an extra jab to plump her lips or lose a wrinkle. Everyone is doing it and talking about it."
During the interview with the Sun, the 8-year-old beauty contestant said, "I also want a boob and nose job soon, so that I can be a star."
Also, during the Sun interview, it was revealed Britney receives a virgin wax regularly. A virgin wax is given to very young girls so they don’t develop pubic hair. However, there is no medical proof to confirm virgin waxing actually works.
After the story ran over the pond, Good Morning America conducted an exclusive television interview with the "Botox Mom" and her daughter on Thursday, May 12.
During the interview the GMA anchors and reporter seemed to be horrified by the mother’s actions. The California mother said she wanted to do the interview to tell her side of the story. Also, the mother was unapologetic about her actions.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s website, Botox cosmetic injections are not recommended for anyone under the age of 18.
The world was introduced to Botox in 1989. Botox is injected by a medical professional and used cosmetically to smooth out wrinkles in the face. Botox temporarily paralyzes the muscles which cause the wrinkles.
"Administering Botox to a child could paralyze developing muscles," said Dr. Isaac Neuhaus, a professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald.
Also, during the interview Nehaus said, "Injecting the drug in the wrong spot or in the wrong amount could cause breathing problems or affect the child's ability to swallow.
"It's going to certainly have a significant impact on her body image," Neuhaus continued. "There (are) a lot of concerns you'd have for an eight-year-old who's being put through Botox treatment for wrinkles she doesn't have."
"Botox in the state of California requires a doctor's prescription," said Kim Brown, a spokeswoman for the California State Department of Consumer Affairs. Also, Brown said, "California regulations only allow the drug to be administered by a doctor or a nurse acting under the supervision of a doctor."
On the afternoon of May 16, ABC News revealed California Department Social Services removed the 8-year-old from her mother’s care.
Has our society pushed people too far on the importance of appearance? Or is the just an individual case of child abuse? Did California Department of Social Services do the right thing by removing the child?
Sources:
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/pageant-mom-gives-botox-8-year-old-13586808?tab=9482931§ion=4765066&playlist=&page=1
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/woman/3485305/I-give-my-girl-8-Botox-for-pageant.html
http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/crime/2011/05/mom-who-injected-daughter-botox-investigated#ixzz1MYkKwIGO
http://www.smh.com.au/world/botox-furore-costs-pageant-mum-custody-20110517-1eqcb.html
http://www.nypost.com/p/lifestyle/health/item_cXWTdFgA4mQX69i8EFSp0H;jsessionid=FECAB0B461FF58B4F2AE8A737C73F8EF
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/UCM176360.pdf
http://abcnews.go.com/US/california-daughter-injected-botox-longer-custody-mom/story?id=13611279
Edited by Alison Stanton