Dermatologic Use of Botulinum Toxin

Updated: Mar 04, 2024
  • Author: Zoltan Trizna, MD, PhD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD  more...
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Overview

Background

Botulinum toxin is the product of Clostridium botulinum. C botulinum bacteria and their spores are ubiquitous. The bacteria are found in soil and marine sediments; the spores can be detected on fruits and vegetables and in seafood. The growing bacteria produce the neurotoxin botulinum toxin, which is often referred to as the most poisonous substance known to mankind. The neurotoxin inhibits the release of acetylcholine and results in the flaccid paralysis of the affected muscles.

Seven serologically distinct types of botulinum toxin exist: A, B, C1, D, E, F, and G. Botulinum toxin type A (BOTOX®; Allergan) was the first commercially available type in the United States.

The different types of botulinum toxin have different molecular sizes, degrees of activation, and mechanisms of action. Various commercial preparations have different characteristics regarding their clinical performance. Significant research is underway to study the molecular causes of these differences.

The available types of botulinum toxin type A include:

  • OnabotulinumtoxinA (BOTOX®/BOTOX® Cosmetic) 
  • AbobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport®) 
  • IncobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin®)
  • PrabotulinumtoxinA (Jeuveau®) 
  • LetibotulinumtoxinA (Letybo®)
  • DaxibotulinumtoxinA (Daxxify®)

Botulinum toxin type B is named rimabotulinumtoxinB (Myobloc®)

This article focuses on the dermatologic applications of botulinum toxin in general. The reader should note that the dermatologic use of botulinum toxin requires an in-depth knowledge of the anatomy and function of the areas treated (eg, in the case of the face, facial muscles, and their relations with the orbit). From the cosmetic point of view, an understanding of the complex functions of the muscles to be injected is especially important.

Botulinum toxin has beneficial effects only on wrinkles caused by muscular contractions. Botulinum toxin is not an appropriate treatment for wrinkles caused by solar exposure or other degenerative processes of the dermal tissues. This article provides only an overview of the technique and of several clinically relevant issues and does not replace hands-on training and experience.

Several Medscape articles address botulinum toxin–related procedures, as follows:

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History of the Procedure

During the treatment of blepharospasmus with botulinum A exotoxin, the cosmetic appearance of the glabellar frown lines improve. Thus, the cosmetic effects of botulinum toxin were discovered.

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Problem

Botulinum toxin is used in dermatology for the treatment of facial wrinkles caused by muscular contractions. These wrinkles are commonly referred to as crow's feet, frown lines, and bunny lines.

Facial expression is influenced by muscular actions of the face. Both voluntary and involuntary contractions of the muscles play a significant role in expressing various emotions, such as fear, anxiety, and anger. However, the exaggeration of the facial lines can be cosmetically unacceptable or socially undesirable.

Hyperhidrosis, caused by increased local cholinergic activity affecting sweat production, can also be socially unacceptable and may interfere with many daily activities (eg, in the case of palmar hyperhidrosis, with the handling of finer instruments or driving).

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Epidemiology

Facial wrinkling affects almost 100% of the population. However, its perception varies widely across cultures, age and sex groups, as well as occupations and social positions.

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Etiology

Two underlying mechanisms cause wrinkles: muscular contractions and solar damage. Botulinum toxin is appropriate only for the treatment of wrinkles caused by muscular action.

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Pathophysiology

The neurotoxin inhibits the release of acetylcholine and results in the flaccid paralysis of the affected muscles.

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Presentation

Generally, 3 clinical situations of botulism are distinguished: food-borne botulism, wound botulism, and infant botulism. The common mechanism in these disorders is the paralysis of various muscles caused by the botulinum toxin. The paralysis can ultimately lead to the death of the patient. However, one's poison is another's medicine, because botulinum toxin is useful in the treatment of certain diseases.

The extent and location of the frown lines should be documented with the patient's face in both a resting position and in an exaggerated expression (eg, frowning, smiling). For comparison, the patient's facial expressions should be photographed before treatment and at the follow-up examination.

Documenting the patient's concerns about the social implications is important. The desired and realistic results and the patient's understanding of these results should also be documented.

Hyperhidrosis should be evaluated on a subjective basis. Note the extent to which it interferes with the patient's daily activities and work. List all over-the-counter and prescribed medications that the patient has used to treat this condition. The starch-iodine test is one method for the visual evaluation of the extent and quantity of sweating. Sweating can be quantitatively measured by applying bibulous paper to the area of concern and then weighing the paper after a period of time (see Diagnostic Procedures).

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Indications

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of several botulinum toxins for the purposes described below (other regulatory agencies may have additional approved uses).

BOTOX® (onabotulinumtoxinA) is indicated for (1) cervical dystonia in adults to decrease the severity of abnormal head position and neck pain associated with cervical dystonia; (2) severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis that is inadequately managed with topical agents; (3) detrussor muscle hyperactivity; (4) overactive bladder; (5) chronic migraine headache, (6) and strabismus and blepharospasm associated with dystonia, including benign essential blepharospasm or VII nerve disorders in patients aged 12 years and older.

BOTOX® Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) is indicated for temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate-to-severe glabellar lines associated with corrugator and/or procerus muscle activity in adults (65 y or younger). It is also indicated for temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate-to-severe lateral canthal lines associated with orbicularis oculi activity in adults. It is also indicated for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate-to-severe forehead lines associated with frontalis muscle activity in adults.

Dysport® (abobotulinumtoxinA) is indicated for the treatment of adults with cervical dystonia, lower limb spasticity, and spasticity. The cosmetic indication is for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate-to-severe glabellar lines associated with procerus and corrugator muscle activity in adults younger than 65 years.

Jeuveau® (prabotulinumtoxinA) is indicated for temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate-to-severe glabellar lines associated with corrugator and/or procerus muscle activity in adults. [1]

Xeomin® (incobotulinumtoxinA) is indicated for the treatment of (1) adults with cervical dystonia to decrease the severity of abnormal head position and neck pain in both botulinum toxin–naive and previously treated patients and (2) adults with blepharospasm who were previously treated with onabotulinumtoxinA. The cosmetic indication is for the temporary improvement in appearance of moderate-to-severe glabellar lines associated with corrugator and/or procerus muscle activity in adults.

Myobloc® (rimabotulinumtoxinB) is indicated for the treatment of patients with cervical dystonia to reduce the severity of abnormal head position and pain associated with cervical dystonia. [2]

Common uses of botulinum toxin A include the treatment of wrinkles caused by contraction of the muscles of the face, which includes glabellar frown lines, [3, 4] transverse forehead lines, lateral canthal wrinkles (ie, crow's feet), [5] and medial and lateral brow lifts.

For an experienced physician, other indications may include treatment of the following: wrinkles on the upper lip, nasal scrunching and flaring, marionette lines, necklines and platysmal bands, [6] mental creases, and dimpling of the chin. These applications can lead to complications that interfere with physiologic functions; therefore, some authors consider them risky. A further indication is the management of localized axillary or palmar hyperhidrosis that is nonresponsive to topical or systemic treatment. [7, 8, 9]

Botulinum toxin is also used to treat other conditions. Multiple off-label uses, including the treatment of palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis, focal dystonias, spasticity, hemifacial spasm, tics, tremors, tension headaches, and migraines, are reported. [10] These treatment options are considered experimental. [11]

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Relevant Anatomy

The most important anatomic units and their related effects include the following.

Corrugator supercilii muscle - Vertical rhytides

When contracted, the bulk of the corrugator supercilii muscle protrudes at the medial aspect of the eyebrow. The origin of this muscle is relatively consistent at the junction of the nasal and frontal bones close to the supramedial orbital rim. A transverse line drawn coronally through the middle of the eyebrow identifies the horizontal position of the bulk of the muscle. For the best effect and for avoiding the unwanted injection of botulinum toxin through the orbital septum, the needle should be oriented at or slightly above this plane, and the injection should target the thickest portion of the muscle adjacent to the medial aspect of the brow. Do not inject points lateral to the midpupillary line.

Procerus muscle - Horizontal rhytides

The procerus muscle is a narrow muscle located in the midline of the nose; it usually lies 1-4 mm deep to the surface. The muscle is generally longer in women than in men. The optimal injection site is the midline just caudal to the nasal root.

Frontal muscle - Horizontal frown lines

Before injecting the frontal muscle, mark the horizontal lines of the skin. Inject the thickest portions of the muscle at points 1.5-2 cm apart. Laterally, raise the line of the injections away from the brow to maintain some function of expression in the lateral part of the brow. To avoid ptosis, do not inject close to the brow.

Orbicularis oculi muscle - Crow's feet

Mark the lateral canthal line 1 cm lateral to the canthus. Then, the patient should be asked to squint, and the squint lines above and below the lateral canthal line are marked. The injections are symmetrically placed into the muscle on both sides of the face. To avoid problems with eyelid closure, do not inject too close to the eyelids.

Orbicularis oris and mentalis muscles - Excessive lip pursing

The injection site is the point halfway between the vermilion border of the lower lip and the inferior edge of the mentum, approximately 0.5-1 cm medial to the oral commissure. Avoid injecting too close to the lip, and use only small amounts of the toxin.

Platysma - Platysmal bands

The injections are performed under electromyographic control, and the needle should be inserted perpendicular to the muscle fibers.

Axilla

Prior to the injections, an iodine starch test is recommended. The hyperhidrotic areas are delineated by a deep blue-black color. To ensure intradermal placement of the botulinum toxin, each dose should be injected with the needle at a 45° angle to the skin surface. The beveled side should point upwards to minimize leakage. The injection sites should be evenly spaced, taking into consideration that each injection site has a ring of effect of up to approximately 2 cm in diameter. The recommended total dose is 50 U per axilla. Avoid marking the injection sites with ink; if ink is used, do not inject directly through the mark, which may create a permanent tattoo.

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Contraindications

Local and systemic contraindications include the following: (1) wrinkles not caused by muscular contractions, (2) neuromuscular disorders, (3) known hypersensitivity to any ingredient in the formulation, (4) pregnancy or breastfeeding, (5) unrealistic patient expectations, (6) possible interference with the patient's work or daily activities due to changed facial expressions (eg, in the case of public performers), and (7) infection at the proposed injection site(s).

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