The Use of Botulinum Toxin Type A in the Upper Face

Facial aesthetics: Achieving the natural, relaxed look

When patients undergoing nonsurgical facial rejuvenation procedures are asked to state their expectations in terms of outcomes, the achievement of a "natural, relaxed look" usually emerges as the paramount goal. The importance to clinicians of delivering on this patient desire is becoming increasingly clear. After all, patient satisfaction is the ultimate treatment goal. This article explores aspects of what defines the natural, relaxed look and what patients are seeking when they undergo nonsurgical facial rejuvenation procedures and is based on the clinical experience of the authors. The article also offers suggestions intended to help clinicians provide each patient with appropriate outcomes and satisfaction.

Advances in minimally invasive facial rejuvenation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Current cosmetic surgical practice for facial rejuvenation has undergone a significant change due to the introduction of technologies to improve the age-associated changes of the face. The most widely adopted methods of minimally invasive facial rejuvenation include the use of neuromuscular blocking agents and injectable fillers. The topic of minimally invasive procedures might include a variety of subjects including nutritional and hormonal modulation, light-based and laser-based therapies, minimal incision surgical procedures, as well as the use of botulinum toxin and fillers. The focus of this study will be on the minimally invasive facial rejuvenation efforts achieved by injection techniques.

RECENT FINDINGS

Botulinum A neurotoxin has been shown to be effective in the reduction of hyperfunctional lines in the upper and lower face. Anatomic areas that have been found to benefit include the glabella, the forehead, the periorbital area, lips, and the platysma muscle. The more recently introduced hyaluronic acid and other injectable fillers are receiving increasing usage. These temporary fillers have been found to improve creases and wrinkles, augment deep nasolabial folds, augment thin lips, and improve hollowing in the periorbital and other depressions and deformities.

SUMMARY

There has been a significant paradigm shift in the field of rejuvenation surgery. Injectable minimally invasive methods have been offered to remedy age-related and other acquired deformities of the head and neck region. These methods have provided temporary correction of undesirable characteristic that were traditionally approached with more invasive surgically oriented modalities.