Quick Updates of Botulinum Toxin in Dermatology for Non-Cosmetic Purposes
Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is a toxin that is secreted by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. BoNT is used for many cosmetic and non-cosmetic dermatological indications. Its FDA- approved indications are limited to, for example, axillary hyperhidrosis, glabellar striae, crow's feet, and the forehead region. BoNT was first approved by the FDA for use in dermatology to treat moderate to severe glabellar lines in 2002. Later on, new indications continued to be added. It has been employed in many diseases in recent years, and has been used successfully, often in advance of FDA approval. Among these indications are sweat gland disorders, pruritic dermatoses, notalgia paraesthetica, Raynaud phenomenon. Fox–Fordyce disease, Hailey-Hailey disease, hidradenitis suppurativa, keloid and hypertrophic scars, alopecia, facial erythema and flushing, and psoriasis. The greatest advantage of BoNT therapy is that its systemic side effects are rare and usually temporary. However, its main disadvantage is the need for the frequent repetition of injections because of its short duration of action (3-4 months). Factors such as injection technique, dilution, storage, and frequency of application affect the success of treatment. In this book, the indications for the use of botulinum toxin for non-cosmetic and therapeutic purposes in dermatology are explained, and practical information that can be quickly reviewed is presented. The tables in the chapters provide short and concise information for those who want to summarize the topics quickly. We hope it will be a useful work that you will use in your daily practice.