Unparallel improvement patterns of dynamic wrinkles and skin quality after botulinum toxin type A treatment on the upper face.

[BACKGROUND] Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) can not only reduce the dynamic wrinkles but also improve the skin quality. This study aims to quantitaively and comprehensively assess the improvement of dynamic wrinkles and skin quality following BoNT-A treatment on the upper face.

[METHODS] Patients were recruited to receive BoNT-A treatment of the glabellar, frontal, and lateral periorbital wrinkles. Antera 3D camera was used to evaluate the skin quality and dynamic wrinkle severity. Follow-up visits were at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment. Different filters were utilized to quantitatively detect the severity of fine wrinkles (FWS), the volume of pores (PV), the roughness of skin texture (STR), and the severity of dynamic wrinkles (DWS).

[RESULTS] Twenty-four participants (average 30.5 ± 7.2 years) were recruited. The significant improvement of PV, FWS, and STR in different areas usually maintained from 1 to 6 months after injections but of DWS only existed within 3 months. For each area, the improvement rates of FWS, PV, and STR peaked at 3 months or 6 months after treatment while the maximal improvement of DWS was observed at 1 month posttreatment.

[CONCLUSION] After BoNT-A treatment for dynamic wrinkles on the upper face, the skin quality of target regions can also be ameliorated. The improvement of skin quality and dynamic wrinkles presented unparallel patterns. The former is with a slower onset but longer duration while the latter exhibits a more rapid onset but shorter duration.