A retrospective analysis of the uses of BoNT-A in daily dermatological practice

Botulinum toxin-A (BoNT-A) has been increasingly used in the cosmetic dermatology daily routine. The treatment areas of BoNT-A are glabellar lines, forehead wrinkles, periorbital lines (crow's feet), eyebrow lifting, perioral lines, platysmal bands, masseter hypertrophy, and hyperhidrosis. The aim of this study was to reveal the epidemiologic characteristics of the patients treated with BoNT-A and the frequencies of treatment areas.

The patients were grouped into five categories: facial wrinkles, platysmal bands, masseter hypertrophy, axillary hyperhidrosis, and palmoplantar hyperhidrosis. Each patient received either onabotulinum toxin-A (diluted with 2 cc saline) or abobotulinum toxin-A (diluted with 3 cc saline) treatment. The patients' age, gender, and the total numbers of treatment received in each area were noted. SPSS version 21 was used for the statistical analysis.

A total of 1614 patients were included: 165 (6.5%) male and 1509 (93.5%) female. There is no difference between genders in terms of treatment area (p = 0.855). The number of treatment sessions is independent of the patients' gender (p = 0.703). The mean age of the patients was 46.6 years. There is a relationship between the patients' age and treatment area (sig 0.000). There is no relationship between the number of repetitive treatments and the patients' age (p=0.081). The number of repetitive treatments is dependent to the treatment area (p < 0.001).

Facial wrinkles, platysmal bands, and masseter hypertrophy are the most commonly treated areas. The treatment area is dependent on the age as platysmal bands are more commonly treated in older patients; however, no relationship between gender and treatment area was found. BoNT-A treatment for hyperhidrosis is not as commonly repeated as for that of cosmetic concerns.