Dr. Alastair Carruthers, a doctor who played a key role in making Botox a world-famous drug, has died. He was 79 years old.

According to a statement from the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), of which he was president from 2006 to 2007, Alastair passed away peacefully on August 19, 2024, “after a brave battle with Parkinson’s disease.” He leaves behind his wife, Dr. Jean Carruthers, three children and four grandchildren.

“It is with profound sadness that the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) announces the passing of Alastair Carruthers, FRCPC, a pioneering physician and valued member of the medical community whose contributions left an indelible mark on the field of dermatology,” the ASDS statement said. “He was an innovator with a collaborative spirit surpassed only by his love for his family and his kindness to his students.”

Alastair was born on 4 June 1945 in Bebington, Cheshire, UK. After graduating from Brasenose College, University of Oxford in 1968, he trained as an internal medicine specialist in Vancouver and Liverpool before specialising in dermatology at St Thomas’s Hospital and St John’s Hospital for Diseases of the Skin in London. In 1977 he joined the Faculty of Dermatology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.

He later became the first Canadian president of the ASDS. During his tenure, he founded the first annual ASDS gala, the ASDS Stegman Circle fundraising initiative, and the society’s advocacy group, ASDSA.

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Throughout his career, Alastair has published over 100 articles and authored several textbooks. He has also won numerous awards and honors, including the ASDS Samuel J. Stegman, MD, Award for Outstanding Service in 2010, the Philip Frost and Eugene van Scott Leadership Award in 2012, the ASDS Leadership in Innovation Lectureship in 2014, and the ASDS President’s Award in 2015.

Together with his wife, Alastair was instrumental in discovering the cosmetic use of botulinum toxin A. Jean, an ophthalmologist, treated a patient with a diluted botulinum toxin solution because he was blinking uncontrollably. The couple discovered the toxin’s wrinkle-smoothing effect.

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They began years of research and presented their findings at the 1991 ASDS Annual Meeting. BOTOX® was approved by the FDA for aesthetic purposes in 2002, marking a turning point in cosmetic medicine. According to ASDS, it is thanks to the Carruthers that BOTOX® became a household name.

Alastair retired in 2015 and returned to academia, studying European and Middle Eastern history at the University of British Columbia. In his private life he was a passionate sports fan and loved good wine.

“Dr Alastair Carruthers will be sorely missed by his family, colleagues and all who were privileged to know him,” the ASDS statement said. “His legacy of innovation, leadership and dedication will continue to inspire and impact the lives of many.”