OHSU Research Finds Botox® Treats Wrinkles with Less Frequent Injections

Reducing Botox treatment frequency over time provides similar results with lower costs.

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Patients receiving Botox Cosmetic treatments can reduce wrinkles with half as many sessions after 20 months, according to research conducted at Oregon Health & Science University’s Casey Eye Institute. The results were presented at a meeting of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in Washington, D.C., and published in the June 2011 edition of the scientific peer-reviewed journal Dermatologic Surgery.

“Observations during our subjects’ final visits also suggest that further wrinkle prevention could be achieved with continued treatment beyond two years”

The study aimed to determine if less frequent Botox Cosmetic treatments provide longer-lasting reduction of glabellar rhytids, commonly known as brow furrows. Roger Dailey, M.D., F.A.C.S., head of OHSU’s Casey Aesthetic Facial Surgery Center, studied 50 women ages 30 to 50, who received regular Botox injections for two years. The findings have important implications for patients, patient satisfaction and cost of treatment.

“We found that after a patient receives Botox Cosmetic injections every four months for two years, the frequency of treatments can be changed to six months with comparable wrinkle-reducing results and high patient satisfaction,” said Dailey. “Patients who are unwilling to undergo Botox treatments every three months indefinitely because of cost, convenience or other concerns may reconsider if they could achieve similar results with two to three treatments per year.”

Glabellar wrinkles are often distressing to patients because they signify aging or can be misconstrued to signal stress, anxiety, annoyance, disapproval or anger. Based on previous studies, doctors advised patients who wished to reduce wrinkles to have Botox injections every three months to maintain wrinkle-reducing benefits. While a schedule of every three months is likely to achieve the best results in the least amount of time, this study makes it clear that there are other excellent treatment schedules.

Dailey’s research also demonstrates that the injections have a wrinkle-preventing – or prophylactic – effect.

“Patients who begin receiving Botox between their 30s and 50s are able to prevent dynamic wrinkles from forming and eliminate existing wrinkles,” said Dailey. “Observations during our subjects’ final visits also suggest that further wrinkle prevention could be achieved with continued treatment beyond two years,” he added.

Botox has been approved for cosmetic use for nine years. In 2008, more than 5 million patients in the U.S. received cosmetic Botox treatments, according to Allergen, the company that manufactures Botox. About 313,000 of those patients were men.

About Roger Dailey

Roger Dailey, M.D., F.A.C.S., is head of the Casey Aesthetic Facial Surgery Center, which opened in 1991 as part of the OHSU Casey Eye Institute. He’s also professor and Lester Jones Endowed Chair of oculofacial plastic surgery in the OHSU School of Medicine. Dr. Dailey received his medical degree from Mayo Medical School in 1982. His focus is in eyelid, brow, midface and cosmetic facial surgery, thyroid eye disease, tearing and orbit problems, as well as lasers, Botox^® and soft tissue fillers. Dr. Dailey’s research interests include endoscopic surgery, laser facial surgery, ptosis surgery, cosmetic surgery and lacrimal disorders. He is a co-founder of the Physicians Coalition for Injectable Safety (www.injectablesafety.org).

About the OHSU Casey Eye Institute

As part of Oregon Health & Science University, the Casey Eye Institute is an academic regional eye center. It is named after James and George Casey, founders of United Parcel Service. The Casey Eye Institute is also one of only seven regional eye research centers in the nation sponsored by Research to Prevent Blindness, the world's leading voluntary organization in support of eye research. The Casey Eye Institute has operated the Elks Children’s Eye Clinic since 1949, thanks to the generous support of the Oregon State Elks Association.

About OHSU

Oregon Health & Science University is the state’s only health and research university, and Oregon’s only academic health center. OHSU is Portland’s largest employer and the fourth largest in Oregon (excluding government). OHSU’s size contributes to its ability to provide many services and community support activities not found anywhere else in the state. It serves patients from every corner of the state, and is a conduit for learning for more than 3,400 students and trainees. OHSU is the source of more than 200 community outreach programs that bring health and education services to every county in the state.

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