Botulinum A exotoxin for glabellar folds: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with an electromyographic injection technique.

Abstract

Botulinum A exotoxin (BTX) has been used successfully to treat a variety of hyperkinetic movement disorders. BTX is also capable of reducing hyperkinetic facial lines including prominent glabellar frown lines. The purposes of this study were to (1) confirm the efficacy of BTX in a double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation; (2) evaluate the use of an electromyogram attached to the injection needle to confirm intramuscular corrugator placement of the BTX; and (3) determine the optimum direction injection technique. Length and depth of glabellar frown lines were measured before treatment and 4 and 12 weeks after injection of 10 units of BTX or saline solution. Patients treated with BTX had a highly significant reduction in depth and length of glabellar frown lines compared with control subjects. BTX appears to be effective and safe for reduction of glabellar frown lines.