Optimized Aesthetic Outcomes When Treating Glabellar Lines with Botulinum Toxin Type A: GLO 3 + 2: A Precise Technique Based on Anatomy.

Good patient outcomes after treatment of the glabellar complex with botulinum toxin type A entail elimination of glabellar lines and maintenance of a natural eyebrow position. A precise injection technique that accurately targets the muscles that influence eyebrow position is required to reduce the risk of adverse aesthetic outcomes or unmasking an underlying eyelid ptosis. Here, we describe the glabellar lines optimization (GLO 3 + 2) injection anatomy technique, a precise five-point injection pattern that is based on current understanding of facial functional anatomy and which aims to minimize the risk of affecting nontargeted muscles. Injection sites above the brow or that do not target the precise location of the muscles in the glabellar complex are likely to inadvertently expose the frontalis to botulinum toxin type A and result in undesirable aesthetic outcomes. Because the frontalis is a strong determinant of aesthetic outcomes, it is important to consider the overall effects of the interactions between the eyebrow depressors and the opposing forces of the frontalis on brow outcomes in both the resting brow position and during dynamic brow movement.

Impact of DaxibotulinumtoxinA for Injection on Brow Position and Frontalis Muscle Activity Following Treatment of Glabellar Lines.

BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA) injections for the treatment of facial lines may lead to pleasant or undesirable changes in eyebrow height and position. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of glabellar injection of DaxibotulinumtoxinA for Injection (DAXI), a novel BoNTA formulation, on eyebrow position and frontalis activity. METHODS: This study involved the post hoc analysis of adult patients from the Phase 2a forehead lines (FHL, N = 60) and open-label safety (OLS, N = 175) studies who received a single dose of DAXI 40 U to the glabella and for whom facial photographs were taken at rest and at maximum eyebrow elevation. Median vertical and horizontal displacement of the brows and median forehead strain (an objective quantitative assessment of frontalis activity) from baseline to 2 weeks after glabellar DAXI injection were measured. RESULTS: Two weeks after glabellar DAXI injection, vertical eyebrow movement (at rest) of the lateral brow was observed. In both studies, vertical movement was greatest in the lateral (0.6-0.9 mm) and mid (0.5-0.7 mm) brow regions; movement in the medial brow was negligible (0-0.23 mm). In both studies, a graded reduction in forehead strain was observed 2 weeks post glabellar DAXI injection, with the greatest reduction being in the lower segment (FHL, -73%; OLS, -82%). Treatment with DAXI showed improvements in FHL wrinkle severity. CONCLUSIONS: Glabellar injection of DAXI showed a positive reduction in dynamic frontalis activity that maintained or had a positive effect on eyebrow position. Vertical movement of the brow was suggestive of an improved eyebrow shape with a mild lateral arch.

The Practical Use of AbobotulinumtoxinA in Aesthetics.

Botulinum toxin (BoNT) has been approved for aesthetic use since 2002. Since then, clinical studies and expert use have informed our understanding of how BoNT exerts its clinical effect and the practical use of this product across a number of aesthetic applications. This review discusses the clinical properties and characteristics of abobotulinumtoxinA, which patients are suitable for its use, and how it can be utilized to treat facial rhytides.

Sleep Wrinkles: Facial Aging and Facial Distortion During Sleep.

Wrinkles are just one indicator of facial aging, but an indicator that is of prime importance in our world of facial aesthetics. Wrinkles occur where fault lines develop in aging skin. Those fault lines may be due to skin distortion resulting from facial expression or may be due to skin distortion from mechanical compression during sleep. Expression wrinkles and sleep wrinkles differ in etiology, location, and anatomical pattern. Compression, shear, and stress forces act on the face in lateral or prone sleep positions. We review the literature relating to the development of wrinkles and the biomechanical changes that occur in response to intrinsic and extrinsic influences. We explore the possibility that compression during sleep not only results in wrinkles but may also contribute to facial skin expansion.

OnabotulinumtoxinA for Treatment of Moderate to Severe Crow's Feet Lines: A Review.

Lateral canthal lines or crow's feet lines (CFL) may be treated with onabotulinumtoxinA. We identified several key concepts important to understanding the use of onabotulinumtoxinA for treatment of moderate-to-severe CFL. To contextualize and integrate data on the recommended dose and injection patterns of onabotulinumtoxinA for treatment of CFL, we summarized data from pivotal clinical studies in the development of onabotulinumtoxinA for treatment of CFL. Data from key studies of onabotulinumtoxinA for CFL are presented. The efficacy and safety of onabotulinumtoxinA treatment of moderate-to-severe CFL were evaluated in 2 randomized, controlled phase 3 studies comprising 1362 patients. The 24U total dose of onabotulinumtoxinA used in these studies was based on a phase 2 dose-ranging trial. Two injection patterns were available to investigators; each involved 3 injection sites per side in the lateral orbicularis oculi muscle. A cross-sectional analysis of photographs from the phase 3 trials provided detailed information on the frequency of 4 distinct CFL patterns. In the primary efficacy analysis for each phase 3 trial, CFL responder rates were significantly greater with onabotulinumtoxinA vs placebo at day 30 (P< .001). Eyelid edema (1%) was the only adverse event reported in ≥ 1% of patients receiving onabotulinumtoxinA, occurring more frequently with onabotulinumtoxinA than with placebo. The studies showed that onabotulinumtoxinA is effective and generally well-tolerated for CFL treatment. Additionally, 2 different injection patterns allow physicians to tailor treatment based on a patient's CFL pattern.

A Randomized, Double-Blind Trial to Investigate the Equivalence of IncobotulinumtoxinA and OnabotulinumtoxinA for Glabellar Frown Lines.

BACKGROUND: IncobotulinumtoxinA and onabotulinumtoxinA are indicated for the temporary improvement in the appearance of glabellar frown lines (GFL). This is the first randomized direct comparator study to date, at the Food and Drug Administration-recommended dose of 20 units (U), for the treatment of GFL. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the dose equivalence of incobotulinumtoxinA (20 U) and onabotulinumtoxinA (20 U) for the treatment of moderate-to-severe GFL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective, randomized (1:1), double-blinded, parallel-group study in 250 females (18-50 years), employing a single treatment with incobotulinumtoxinA or onabotulinumtoxinA, followed by a 4-month observational period. RESULTS: At the primary efficacy endpoint (1 month after treatment), incobotulinumtoxinA was equivalent to onabotulinumtoxinA in the treatment of GFL at the 20 U dose within the prespecified ± 15% margin of equivalence. Efficacy remained similar between treatment groups through 4 months after treatment as assessed by the independent masked panel and the masked treating physicians. Patient satisfaction ratings were similar between groups and favorable (>90%) throughout. Both treatments were well tolerated. CONCLUSION: Equivalence was demonstrated at the primary endpoint between incobotulinumtoxinA and onabotulinumtoxinA in the treatment of GFL at the 20 U dose at 1 month. Similar efficacy and tolerability profiles were observed through 4 months after treatment.

Heterogeneity of crow's feet line patterns in clinical trial subjects.

BACKGROUND: Patterns of crow's feet lines (CFLs) vary among individuals. OBJECTIVE: To characterize distribution and predictors of CFL patterns. METHODS: Patterns of CFLs (full fan, lower fan, central fan, and upper fan) were evaluated at maximum smile and at rest from photographs of subjects with moderate-to-severe CFLs. Relationships between CFL pattern and severity, age, gender, and subject-reported outcomes were explored. RESULTS: Evaluations of 2,699 photographs from 1,392 subjects were conducted; 1,389 and 1,310 had evaluable CFL patterns at maximum smile and at rest, respectively. Lower-fan, central-fan, and full-fan patterns were identified in 28.4% to 34.7% at maximum smile and 27.7% to 33.9% at rest; upper fan was found in ∼5%. The pattern distribution of CFLs demonstrated a relationship to baseline CFL severity, age, and gender; full-fan and lower-fan patterns were more common in severe versus moderate CFL at maximum smile; full fan increased with age. Lower fan was more common in males. Subjects with full fan at maximum smile were most dissatisfied with their appearance and perceived themselves to look older versus other patterns. CONCLUSION: Baseline CFL severity, age, and gender may predict fan pattern. Patterns may progress with age from central to lower fan or full fan. Pattern heterogeneity of CFLs suggests that tailored treatment may be warranted.

Nonsurgical periorbital and brow rejuvenation.

BACKGROUND: There is a high patient demand for periorbital rejuvenation because the periorbita are often the first facial areas to show visible signs of aging. In addition to rhytides and skin laxity, aging appearance of the periorbital area is caused by changes in tissue volume resulting from soft-tissue atrophy and bone loss in the aging face. These changes are among the easiest areas to correct using several noninvasive techniques. The author uses three different techniques in his practice. METHODS: The author shares his experience using three different techniques for nonsurgical periorbital rejuvenation. RESULTS: Patients develop unique crow's feet lines, and treatment with toxins should be adapted to each particular pattern. Low doses generally produce a more natural appearance than high doses. Using hyaluronic acid fillers, three tissue layers within the periorbita can be injected to produce maximally beneficial results and minimize the risk of adverse events. Filling tear troughs depends on whether they occurred early in life or are age-related. The key to avoiding complications is a careful patient analysis and a slow technique. CONCLUSIONS: One deformity should not be singled out when rejuvenating the periorbita. The best results are obtained when the entire periorbital area is treated at the same time.

The convergence of medicine and neurotoxins: a focus on botulinum toxin type A and its application in aesthetic medicine--a global, evidence-based botulinum toxin consensus education initiative: part I: botulinum toxin in clinical and cosmetic practice.

BACKGROUND: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved four distinct formulations of botulinum toxin (BoNT) serotypes A and B (BoNTA and BoNTB) for medical use. These four products are indicated for many medical applications, but the three BoNTA formulations are the most widely used worldwide and are the only products approved for aesthetic use. The latest approval of a BoNTA with no complexing proteins (incobotulinumtoxinA) necessitates a review and discussion of differences between available formulations and the effect that these differences may have on clinical practice. OBJECTIVES: To review the history, science, safety information, and current and emerging applications of BoNT in clinical and cosmetic practice and to compare commercially available BoNTA formulations. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Publications, clinical trials, and author experience were used as a basis for an up-to-date review of BoNT and its use in human medicine. The similarities and differences between formulations are presented, and diffusion, spread, equivalency ratios, stability, and storage are discussed. RESULTS: Each commercial formulation has unique characteristics that may influence its use in aesthetic medicine. Familiarity with the similarities and differences between products will aid physicians in making patient care decisions. CONCLUSION: New formulations, emerging uses, and continued research into the science and uses of BoNTA will lead to increasingly refined therapeutic approaches and applications. Continued education is important for physicians to optimize use of the agent according to the most current evidence and approaches.

Current aesthetic use of abobotulinumtoxinA in clinical practice: an evidence-based consensus review.

The amount and complexity of scientific and clinical evidence for aesthetic use of botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT-A) has expanded rapidly in recent years, especially for abobotulinumtoxinA, necessitating reassessment of current knowledge about aesthetic use of abobotulinumtoxinA and other BoNT-A preparations. A committee of 13 plastic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, and dermatologists engaged in a live discussion of information from a systematic literature review and an Internet-based survey of their beliefs and practices. The committee achieved consensus on most issues. It was concluded that doses of different BoNT-A preparations cannot be interconverted with a fixed ratio. The size of the "field of effect" is difficult to measure, and comparisons between preparations have yielded equivocal results. Nonresponse due to neutralizing antibodies appears exceedingly rare with currently available BoNT-A preparations and of little concern clinically. BoNT-A dose, injection depth, and injection technique should be adjusted according to the anatomic area being treated and each patient's individual characteristics and goals. Aesthetic use of BoNT-A has a good safety profile. Most adverse events are minor and related to the trauma of injection, although special care is needed in certain anatomic areas. Detailed recommendations for treatment of different anatomic areas are presented. BoNT-A products are often used in conjunction with other treatment modalities (eg, fillers and resurfacing), but little agreement was reached on best practices. The findings reported in this consensus document may serve as a practical guide for aesthetic practitioners as they apply the latest knowledge about BoNT-A in providing their patients with optimal care.

Validation of a lip fullness scale for assessment of lip augmentation.

BACKGROUND: Given the growing use of dermal fillers for cosmetic lip augmentation, a validated instrument with which to measure lip fullness is desirable in the clinic and as an efficacy endpoint in clinical studies. The authors developed and conducted a validation study of a Medicis-developed lip fullness scale. METHODS: The Medicis Lip Fullness Scale consists of separate five-point scales for the upper and lower lips, with three photographs exemplifying each grade. Five board-certified dermatologists or plastic surgeons assessed 85 test photographs for each lip on two separate occasions for the first round of validation (photograph versus photograph). Three of the evaluators also graded lip fullness in 39 live subjects, followed 2 weeks later by scoring of the same subjects' photographs for the second round of validation (live versus photographic). RESULTS: Within-observer agreement between the two sequential photographic evaluations was almost perfect (weighted κ = 0.81). Between-observer weighted κ values ranged from 0.60 to 0.83 for the upper lip and 0.61 to 0.82 for the lower lip. Exact agreement between the live and photographic assessments of the same subjects was 60 percent and 52 percent for upper and lower lips, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The Medicis Lip Fullness Scale showed high interrater and intrarater reliability in comparisons of test photographs and moderate to substantial reliability in live assessment of patients versus photographs. The Medicis Lip Fullness Scale is suitable for grading lip fullness in clinical trials. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic, III.