Botulinum Toxin in Cosmetics

World-wide, more patients receive botulinum toxin for cosmetics than any other indication. It has become extremely popular in the USA and popularity is increasing in the UK. Although only available privately, it is associated with a high degree of patient satisfaction, has a high success rate, and very low side effect incidence.

Botulinum toxin is effective against what is known as "dynamic" skin creases, those that appear during facial expression, but which are not apparent when the muscles of the face are relaxed. For practical purposes this means three main areas:

The lines that appear between the eyebrows during frowning.
The "crows feet" at the outer corner of the eye.
The brow lines that appear when the eyebrows are raised.

Other areas such as the mouth and neck can also be treated but are associated with a lower success rate and a higher incidence of adverse effects, and some practitioners are reluctant to treat these areas.

Lines that are visible when the facial muscles are relaxed are not affected by the toxin. However, it is postulated that if treatment is undertaken regularly, commencing before the appearance of these lines, their appearance may be delayed or even prevented. It should be realised that the appearance of wrinkles with age is dependant on a number of factors, two of the strongest causes being tobacco smoking and regular exposure to direct sunlight. Treatment consists of injecting the toxin directly into the target muscles. The effect takes up to ten days to reach maximum and lasts for between three and six months, after which it can be repeated. The only significant side effect occurs in 2% of clients where the muscle controlling the upper eyelid is paralysed causing the eyelid to droop. This is often short lived, lasting only a week or two. In addition, since facial expression is diminished, there is some loss of body language but this is something which social contacts quickly become accustomed to. All effects of the toxin ultimately reverse with time.

There are some contraindications to the therapy which are listed in the page on side effects.

M K Kocan. 14/07/2001.


	Botulinum Toxin in Cosmetics World-wide, more patients receive botulinum toxin for cosmetics than any other indication. It has become extremely popular in the USA and popularity is increasing in the UK. Although only available privately, it is associated with a high degree of patient satisfaction, has a high success rate, and very low side effect incidence. Botulinum toxin is effective against what is known as "dynamic" skin creases, those that appear during facial expression, but which are not apparent when the muscles of the face are relaxed. For practical purposes this means three main areas: The lines that appear between the eyebrows during frowning. The "crows feet" at the outer corner of the eye. The brow lines that appear when the eyebrows are raised. Other areas such as the mouth and neck can also be treated but are associated with a lower success rate and a higher incidence of adverse effects, and some practitioners are reluctant to treat these areas. Lines that are visible when the facial muscles are relaxed are not affected by the toxin. However, it is postulated that if treatment is undertaken regularly, commencing before the appearance of these lines, their appearance may be delayed or even prevented. It should be realised that the appearance of wrinkles with age is dependant on a number of factors, two of the strongest causes being tobacco smoking and regular exposure to direct sunlight. Treatment consists of injecting the toxin directly into the target muscles. The effect takes up to ten days to reach maximum and lasts for between three and six months, after which it can be repeated. The only significant side effect occurs in 2% of clients where the muscle controlling the upper eyelid is paralysed causing the eyelid to droop. This is often short lived, lasting only a week or two. In addition, since facial expression is diminished, there is some loss of body language but this is something which social contacts quickly become accustomed to. All effects of the toxin ultimately reverse with time. There are some contraindications to the therapy which are listed in the page on side effects. M K Kocan. 14/07/2001.
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