Treatment of hyperfunctional facial lines with botulinum toxin

Abstract Lines and wrinkles in the face are not only due to intrinsic and photoaging, but are also caused by lines of facial expression due to muscular action. Botulinum toxin A, which blocks the cholinergic transmission resulting in flaccid paralysis, is a powerful therapeutic tool in the treatment of frown lines, glabellar lines, crow-feet and platysma-bands. It has to be kept in mind, however, that the benefits of this treatment are transient and repeated injections are necessary. A treatment guide with injection sides and concentration of the toxin is presented in the context of the current literature.