ABSTRACT
Reducing the strength of muscles responsible for expression lines, through localized and selective surgical myotomy, has been used for a long time in blepharoplasty and upper and mid-facelifts.
Botulinum toxin is a potent drug, widely used for the past 30 years to treat focal dystonia in neurology and in many other medical specialties, and for the past 16 years in cosmetic dermatology and surgery. The ‘chemical nerve section’ achieved by botulinum toxin provides a very effective, adjustable, and lasting treatment of expression lines, particularly those in the upper third of the face, whereas surgery and alternative medical treatments are often associated with higher risks and shorter-lived effects.
