Botulinum Toxin: An Effective Treatment for Flushing and Persistent Erythema in Rosacea

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Medical Aesthetics
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by persistent erythema (redness) and flushing.
• Conventional treatments for rosacea-associated erythema and flushing often yield suboptimal or temporary results.
• Botulinum toxin has emerged as a potential therapeutic agent for managing refractory rosacea symptoms.

Observation:

• Three patients with severe rosacea, experiencing flushing and permanent erythema unresponsive to standard therapies, were treated with intradermal botulinum toxin.
• Two types of botulinum toxin (abobotulinum and incobotulinum) were administered at specific concentrations.

Findings:

• Intradermal botulinum toxin injections resulted in satisfactory and lasting control of erythema and flushing in all three patients.
• Polarized photography confirmed a decrease in vascular involvement post-treatment.
• The improvements were sustained without the rebound effect often seen with topical rosacea treatments.

Implications:

• Botulinum toxin represents a promising therapeutic option for refractory rosacea, offering prolonged symptom control.
• Further research into optimal dosing and long-term efficacy of botulinum toxin for rosacea is warranted.