title: Vein imaging laser reduces bruising in bruise-prone botulinum toxin injected patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Injection-related bruising is a common complication of many injectable treatments including facial injections of botulinum toxin (BTX) for aesthetic use.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We have investigated the use of a vein imaging laser (VIL) to observe otherwise non-visible subcutaneous blood vessels in 40 patients who had a history of bruising with past BTX injections to the face during the previous 12 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Over a 4-month period 40 patients, who previously had developed bruising after injectable BTX to the face, were treated with further BTX to the same areas as previously, but using a VIL during the injections. Patients were evaluated for their severity of bruising.
  
  
  RESULTS
  40 patients out of 2400 patients had experienced bruising with a severity score total of 92 (mean per patient 2.3) with BTX injections before VIL use. On injection using the VIL 6 of the 40 patients had bruising with severity score total of 7 (mean 1.16).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of a VIL significantly reduced the frequency and severity of bruising associated with BTX injections.
authors.affiliation: a Cranley Clinic for Dermatology + , London , England.
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Lowe
authors.affiliation: a Cranley Clinic for Dermatology + , London , England.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Halliday
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003288:Contusions / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A
keywords: Vein imaging; reduced bruising with botulinum toxin injections