Primary goal: Reduction of wrinkles, folds, and furrows due to muscular pull
Secondary goals: Treatment of brow, eyelid, and facial asymmetries
Operation: Tiny amounts of a potent neurotoxin are injected through a fine needle either into or just above multiple areas of muscle whose pull is responsible for the generation of many facial wrinkles and folds.
Variations: Beyond it effect on wrinkles, botulinum toxin injection may be employed for any number of other creative purposes on the face, such as addressing imbalances in eyebrow shape or symmetry, smoothing "lipstick lines" above the upper lip, and so on.
Advantages: Chemodenervation provides a safe and effective method for softening wrinkles associated with "hyperkinetic" muscular pull, such as crow's feet, forehead creases, as well as larger furrows, such as "frown lines" between the eyebrows.
Limitations: The beneficial effect from chemodenervation is temporary, lasting from two to six months. Wrinkles, lines, and depressions not related to muscular pull (such as those caused by scars or tissue loss) benefit more from other "skin rejuvenation" techniques, such as the use of tissue fillers.
Care and recovery: The toxin takes effect between 1-4 days following injection.
Risks and complications: Injection of excessive amounts of toxin may result in more muscle weakness than intended and cause the eyelid or brow to droop as if paralyzed
Comments: While the benefits of chemodenervation are appealing, many initially-satisfied patients grow weary of repeated visits (and recurring costs) and discontinue treatment.
