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An Update on Neurotoxin Products and Administration Methods

Cutis. 2016 September;98(3):163-166, 197
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Since onabotulinumtoxinA for nonsurgical aesthetic enhancement of glabellar lines was initially reported, the popularity of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) products among both clinicians and consumers has rapidly grown, and we have seen several additional BoNT formulations enter the market. As the demand for minimally invasive cosmetic procedures continues to increase, we will see the introduction of additional formulations of BoNT products as well as new delivery devices and administration techniques. In this article, we provide a brief update on current and upcoming BoNT products and also review the literature on novel administration methods based on recently published studies.

Practice Points

  • Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) injection is the most popular nonsurgical aesthetic procedure available of which there are currently 4 products approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
  • A variety of new BoNT products with unique properties and formulations are currently being studied, some of which are already available for clinical use in foreign markets.
  • Administration technique and novel product delivery methods also can be utilized to minimize pain and maximize aesthetic outcomes.

Conclusion

The use of BoNT products for both on- and off-label cosmetic and medical indications has rapidly grown over the past 2 decades. As demonstrated in this review, a variety of promising new products and delivery techniques are being developed. Given the rise in popularity of BoNT products among both physicians and consumers, clinicians should be aware of the current data and ongoing research.