title: Review of the use of botulinum toxin for hyperhidrosis and cosmetic purposes.
abstract: This article reviews the current status of dermatological uses for botulinum toxin type A (Botox), recently approved in the United States for treatment of glabellar wrinkles, and type B (Myobloc), approved for cervical dystonia. The respective formulations of Botox and Myobloc are described, and injection techniques and special considerations for administration in the treatment of dermatologic conditions are also discussed. The use of botulinum toxin injections for cosmetic treatment of movement-related facial lines and platysmal bands in the neck is reviewed, including injection procedures, efficacy, and potential complications. Recent developments in the use of botulinum toxins for the treatment of palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis are also described, comparing type A and type B results. Although direct comparisons between botulinum toxins for dermatologic applications are complicated by the lack of functional equivalence of the standard potency assays, appropriate dosing strategies for obtaining satisfactory clinical results using type B are being established, which will add to the experience already gained with type A. The diffusion characteristics of type B appear to show different and potentially advantageous clinical profiles in the treatment of crows' feet and hyperhidrosis compared with type A.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94117, USA. rglogau@aol.com
authors.forename: Richard G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Glogau
mesh_terms: D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003880:Dermatology / Q000379:methods; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005145:Face; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006945:Hyperhidrosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003358:Cosmetics; C096323:rimabotulinumtoxinB; D001905:Botulinum Toxins; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A