Long-Term Botox Appears Safe, Effective for Facial Lines

TUESDAY, Nov. 21 (HealthDay News) -- Botulinum toxin type A (Botox, Allergan) appears to be well-tolerated and effective in preventing imprinted facial lines over a 13-year treatment course, according to a study that compared a pair of identical twin sisters, one regularly treated and one minimally treated. The study findings are published in the November/December issue of the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery.

William J. Binder, M.D., of the UCLA School of Medicine in Los Angeles, compared imprinted facial lines in identical twin sisters, one who had regular annual Botox injections in the glabellar and forehead regions for 13 years, and one who had only two treatments during that time.

The twin who had injections two or three times annually for 13 years did not have imprinted forehead and glabellar lines, although her sister did. Even seven months after the last treatment, the regularly treated sister had less noticeable crow's feet than did the minimally treated sister. Both sisters had similar aging in untreated areas and neither had complications.

"Long-term treatment with Botox can prevent the development of imprinted facial lines that are visible at rest. Botox treatment can also reduce crow's feet. Treatment is well-tolerated, with no adverse events reported during 13 years of regular treatment in this study," the author concludes.

The author is a stockholder of and a consultant to Allergan Inc.

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