Botox Makes You Look Older? One doctor swears it does.

Wrinkle-reducing wonder drug or freaky facial poison? Two top derms debate the phenomenally popular Botox.

By Julia Scirrotto

It's hard to believe that in the five years since Botox was first FDA-approved for cosmetic use, we've grown indifferent to the expressionless A-listers and me-but-better moms we see every day. A cultural force, Botox has forever changed the way we age.

Still, the debate over its safety and effectiveness continues. On one side, Dr. Fredric Brandt, a New York- and Miami-based dermatologist (dubbed the "Baron of Botox"), reportedly administers more Botox than any doctor in the world — and doesn't skimp on himself, either. On the other, best-selling author and research derm Dr. Nicholas V. Perricone takes a staunchly anti-Botox stance. He argues that an anti-inflammatory diet plus nutritional supplements can better fight the aging process.

On the next page, a look at how their points of view stack up.

Some Botox facts

More than 3.1 million Botox injections were administered just last year.

About 1 million people in the U.S. habitually use Botox

Doctors provide more Botox to women ages 22 to 40 than to women over 60.

Botox use jumped 4783 percent from 1997 to 2006 as the injection went from specialized ophthalmic tool to cosmetic phenomenon.