Intramuscular versus intradermal botulinum toxin for forehead wrinkles: a review of side effects and efficacy


Published: 10 August 2023
Abstract Views: 735
PDF: 188
HTML: 0
Publisher's note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Authors

Botulinum toxin type A (BTA) is a neurotoxin used for both cosmetic and non-cosmetic purposes. BTA is commonly administered as an intramuscular injection to treat wrinkles. However, when it comes to treating forehead wrinkles, intramuscular injection is associated with a greater rate of ptosis. Intradermal injection is currently thought to be a better alternative. We searched PubMed and Google Scholar for research articles published between 1989 and 2023 using the following keywords: “intradermal,” “intramuscular,” “botulinum toxin,” and “forehead wrinkle.” The search yielded three randomized controlled trials and a double-blind, split-face case report on 58 patients. We found that although intradermal and intramuscular injections have symmetrical anti-wrinkle effects, the former results in a lower rate of ptosis and a greater degree of pain.


Alhazmi B, Aldekhayel S. The use of botulinum toxin type A to minimize scarring in cleft lip repair: a literature review. Arch Plast Surg 2019;46:181-4.

Campanati A, Martina E, Giuliodori K, et al. Botulinum toxin off-label use in dermatology: a review. Skin Appendage Disord 2017;3:39-56.

Al-Ghamdi AS, Alghanemy N, Joharji H, et al. Botulinum toxin: non cosmetic and off-label dermatological uses. J Dermatol Dermatol Surg 2015;19:1-8.

Wohlfarth K, Müller C, Sassin I, et al. Neurophysiological double-blind trial of a botulinum neurotoxin type a free of complexing proteins. Clin Neuropharmacol 2007;30:86-94.

Petchngaovilai C. Midface lifting with botulinum toxin: intradermal technique. J Cosmet Dermatol 2009;8:312-6.

Redaelli A, Forte R. How to avoid brow ptosis after forehead treatment with botulinum toxin. J Cosmet Laser Ther 2003;5:220-2.

Rose AE, Goldberg DJ. Safety and efficacy of intradermal injection of botulinum toxin for the treatment of oily skin. Dermatol Surg 2013;39:443-8.

Jeon IK, Chang SE, Park GH, Roh MR. Comparison of microneedle fractional radiofrequency therapy with intradermal botulinum toxin a injection for periorbital rejuvenation. Dermatol 2013;227:367-72.

Kim YJ, Lim OK, Choi WJ. Are there differences between intradermal and intramuscular injections of botulinum toxin on the forehead? Dermatol Surg 2020;46:e126-e131.

de Quadros M, Mylius MSF, Sebben SR, et al. Randomized, single-blind clinical study comparing the application of intradermal versus intramuscular onabotulinum toxin in the frontal region. Surg Cosmet Dermatol 2018;10:314-8.

Jun JY, Park JH, Youn CS, Lee JH. Intradermal injection of botulinum toxin: a safer treatment modality for forehead wrinkles. Ann Dermatol 2018;30:458-61.

Sapra P, Demay S, Sapra S, et al. A single-blind, split-face, randomized, pilot study comparing the effects of intradermal and intramuscular injection of two commercially available botulinum toxin A formulas to reduce signs of facial aging. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol 2017;10:34-44.

Sukahara K. A photographic scale for the assessment of human facial wrinkles. J Cosmet Sci 2000;51:127-39.

Almashali, M., Almutairi, R. R., & Shadid, A. (2023). Intramuscular <i>versus</i> intradermal botulinum toxin for forehead wrinkles: a review of side effects and efficacy. Dermatology Reports, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/dr.2023.9799

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Citations