There aren’t many great stars of the stage and screen who can boast that their looks have actually improved since the 1970s. One famous actress and superstar who has managed to maintain her appearance attributes her success to Botox injections. It might also help that she’s a puppet.
One of the most famous Muppets, Miss Piggy has had a long and distinguished career since she was fashioned from felt by Sesame Street creator Jim Henson. In the nearly 38 years since her television debut, she has become widely known for her charm, passion, and wild temper. Recently, during a segment on Anderson Cooper’s new talk show, Miss Piggy admitted to having a Botox habit.
Botox is an FDA-approved injectable drug that has been used for cosmetic treatments since 2002. By temporarily inhibiting the movement of a particular facial muscle, Botox allows another muscle to stretch. This pulls the skin tight and erases the appearance of wrinkles. During the Anderson segment, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a neurosurgeon and CNN’s chief medical correspondent, discussed some of the potential side effects of Botox.
Miss Piggy revealed on the show that her continued youthful appearance is the result of repeated Botox injections. In fact, Miss Piggy said, she was perhaps “99 percent Botox,” although that might be “underestimating it.”
“There’s hardly a single expression I can make,” she told Dr. Gupta.
“I do think it’s possible to go overboard when it comes to plastic surgery or even Botox,” Dr. Gupta said. “Botox is something that can be safe, but one of the potential concerns is that if you use too much of it, your eyelids droop. It can cause headaches, it can cause other problems.”
Dr. Gupta is right to caution his viewers, especially since many practitioners lack the necessary skills and restraint to ensure the best results for their patients. Fortunately, the side effects of Botox can usually be avoided by a board-certified plastic surgeon who has trained in its use.
