Botulinum toxin. The Newport Beach experience.
BACKGROUND
Injections of botulinum toxins have become a major therapeutic tool for cosmetic dermatologists. This therapy is quite useful as an adjuvant to the step-by-step skin rejuvenation program.


OBJECTIVE
To review our method of dilution and injection and to present case studies.


METHODS
Patients received either tangential or perpendicular injections of botulinum toxin into the mimetic muscles of the face and neck to document the preferred method of injection. The botulinum toxin also was diluted to 10, 15, or 20 cc to study its long-term potency.


RESULTS
Tangential injections of botulinum toxin produced the longest and most effective results. Dilution studies indicated that 15-cc dilution was possible in patients who previously had not been exposed to botulinum toxin, but that 10-cc dilution was more uniformly effective during repeat injections.


CONCLUSIONS
With the proper method of injection and dilution, the botulinum toxin can be an useful adjuvant for building cosmetic surgery practice.
Fulton
J E
JE
Fulton Skin Institute, Newport Beach, California 92660, USA.
D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002140:California; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000294:innervation; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000379:methods; D009121:Muscle Denervation; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012060:Rejuvenation; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects*
D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A