[Botulinum toxin and wrinkles: few side effects and effective combining procedures with other treatments]

Chemical denervation, through the biologic effect of botulinum toxin, provides a very effective, low risk, lasting treatment for hyperkinetic wrinkles, mainly of the upper face. Patients with such rhytides, when treated with surgical myotomies or other alternative medical treatments, are at greater risk and with potentially less lasting results. Botulinum toxin has been widely used for the last 20 years in many areas of medicine. It has been used for 13 years in dermatology and plastic surgery, without important complications or sequellae. Any complications appear to be reversible. In these two specialties, with the minute quantities (units) and volume of material injected, complications are infrequent; some of them are now anecdotal. The only main complication from a cosmetic point of view is blepharoptosis, which is more and more rare. Because of a better anatomical knowledge of the affected muscles, and our improved technique, risks are greatly reduced. In our two latest multicenter studies on glabellar wrinkles, between 2002 and 2004, we saw no blepharoptosis. Conversely, in case of dynamic wrinkles associated with muscle, fat, and skin relapse, and/or deep furrows, only surgical procedures and/or other surface treatments are effective. Botulinum toxin injections are not meant to replace upper, mid, or mandibular face and neck lifts; indeed, botulinum toxin injections may optimize results from these surgical procedures. These injections play a fundamental process in producing long lasting results. The current and future evolution, in cosmetic surgery, is toward full achieved, but focused, natural, and minimally invasive surgical procedures in combination with effective and minimal risk techniques such as the botulinum toxin injections. To optimize the effect of the medical procedures, botulinum toxin should be injected three weeks before surgery. In addition botulinum toxin injections may optimize and prolong the effect of the surface procedures, as lasers, peels and fillers. This medicosurgical combination is one of the examples that best describes the evolution of plastic and aesthetic surgery in 2004.