New Trend Alert: Botox for the ultimate poker face?

November 29, 2012

New Trend Alert: Botox for the ultimate poker face?
New Trend Alert: Botox for the ultimate poker face?

When you picture a Botox patient, you may picture a middle-aged woman who is keen on eliminating the wrinkles around her eyes and mouth. Or you may think of a man who is less than pleased with the deep lines in his brow. One person you probably don't picture is a hotshot poker player, but is "pokertox" the next big trend in this cosmetic medicine?

According to the New York Post, poker players may be drawn to the procedure because it numbs the muscles that help form expressions, making it easier to make a believable "poker face." A doctor in the city is using the term "pokertox" to help draw in these customers.

"Very few people can maintain a real poker face," the doctor told the news source. "They have some 'tells,' some expression that gives away that they have a good hand or a bad hand."

When patients come to see the doctor for their "pokertox" injections, he reviews what sort of "tells" they are worried about. For instance, if a player says that he raises his eyebrows when he receives a good card, the doctor many say that Botox injections in the brow are best.

If this sounds a bit farfetched to you, you're not alone. The primary purpose of Botox, when used for cosmetic reasons, is not to eliminate one's ability to make facial expressions.

According to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, neuromuscular toxins like Botox do weaken or paralyze muscles in the face, but this is to stop them from creating wrinkles, not to block facial expressions. Most Botox patients will find that their ability to convey emotions through their face is largely unaffected by the procedure.


The mission of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) includes medical education, public education and patient advocacy. Plastic Surgery News Briefs are summaries of current stories found through various news and magazine outlets that relate to or mention plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures. The views expressed in these news articles do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ASAPS, but are merely published as an educational service to our members and the general public. For additional information on these subjects and other plastic surgery related topics, please go to www.surgery.org

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About ASAPS
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), is recognized as the world’s leading organization devoted entirely to aesthetic plastic surgery and cosmetic medicine of the face and body.  ASAPS is comprised of over 2,600 Plastic Surgeons; active members are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (USA) or by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and have extensive training in the complete spectrum of surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures. International active members are certified by equivalent boards of their respective countries. All members worldwide adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and must meet stringent membership requirements.

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