Aesthetic Uses of Botulinum Toxins

Nicholas J. Lowe

Overview

Botulinum neurotoxins have proven efficacy for a variety of clinical applications involving neuromuscular hyperactivity and other conditions caused by acetylcholine release. Initial observations that botulinum toxin type A (BTX‐A) reduced muscle‐induced forehead lines was reported in 1992. Evidence‐based studies confirmed the efficacy of BTX‐A for the reduction of dynamic facial lines. BTX‐A for use in aesthetic treatments was developed in the USA as Botox™, now designated onabotulinumtoxinA (BTX‐A Ona). In the UK, an alternative BTX‐A known as Dysport™, now designated abobotulinumtoxinA (BTX‐A Abo), was developed for similar indications. A third variant of BTX‐A is incobotulinumtoxinA (BTX‐A Inco). Other approved indications for BTX‐A Ona include the treatment of severe axillary sweating. Type B neurotoxin, rimabotulinumtoxinB (BTX‐B Rima), has different pharmacological mechanisms but similar clinical indications.
Keywords botulinum neurotoxins, aesthetic treatments, reduction of facial lines

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