Botulinum Toxin A Treatment of Perioral Rhytides

Botulinum toxin A is well documented as a useful therapy for smoothing dynamic facial rhytides of the upper face. Most controlled studies have focused on the treatment of glabellar frown lines, horizontal forehead lines, and crow's feet. Reports of botulinum toxin A use in the lower face are few and anecdotal.We present our experience using botulinum toxin A in the lip as a treatment of vertical perioral rhytides, which resulted in the added cosmetic benefits of lip eversion and enhanced lip fullness.Eighteen patients were injected with botulinum toxin A into the vertical lip rhytides. The effect of treatment was evaluated at 2 to 3 weeks after procedure.Smoothening of hyperfunctional lines and upper lip fullness/eversion is observed in patients treated with perioral botulinum toxin A injections; 72% of patients continued treatment.In select patients, perioral botulinum toxin A results in amelioration of perioral rhytides and enhancement of lip fullness and lip eversion.