The effect of botulinum toxin type A on full-face intense pulsed light treatment: a randomized, double-blind, split-face study.
BACKGROUND
Botulinum toxin type A (BTX) is commonly used in combination therapy, and it has been reported that periocular BTX treatment enhances the aesthetic improvements attained with intense pulsed light (IPL).


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to evaluate if intradermal BTX treatment of the cheeks also enhances the efficacy of IPL.


METHODS
Fifteen females enrolled in this prospective, randomized, double-blind, split-face study (14 completed, 1 lost to follow-up). All received standard IPL treatment and were randomly assigned to receive eight 0.1-mL intradermal injections of BTX (BOTOX Cosmetic, Allergan) in one cheek (8 U total dose) and eight injections of saline in the contralateral cheek. Small wrinkles and fine lines, erythema, hyperpigmentation, apparent pore size, skin texture, and overall appearance were evaluated for 8 weeks.


RESULTS
A significantly higher proportion of patients showed improvement in small wrinkles and fine lines with IPL plus BTX than IPL plus saline--93% versus 29% at Week 4 (p=.003). Adjunctive BTX also achieved a greater degree of improvement in erythema (although statistical significance was not achieved). Other efficacy measures showed comparable improvements with both regimens.


CONCLUSIONS
The adjunctive use of BTX enhances the improvement in small wrinkles and fine lines, and possibly erythema, achieved with IPL alone.
Khoury
Jane G
JG
Dermatology/La Jolla Inc and La Jolla Spa MD, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.
Saluja
Raminder
R
Goldman
Mitchel P
MP
D000328:Adult; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008875:Middle Aged; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods*; D015361:Rhytidoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D014213:Tretoquinol
D009498:Neurotoxins; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A; D014213:Tretoquinol