AbobotulinumtoxinA (BoNT-ABO) injections in patients with upper facial wrinkles may lower blood pressure (BP) levels, investigators reported in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
For the study, researchers evaluated patients aged 18 years or older with upper facial wrinkles and without essential and nonessential hypertension. A 500-unit vial of BoNT-ABO (Dysport, Ipsen Ltd, Berkshire, UK) was reconstituted with 4 mL preservative-free saline for the procedure, and all patients received 150 units of BoNT-ABO per session.
Systolic and diastolic BP measurements were taken at baseline and at the 14-day follow-up. A total of 20 patients (mean age, 35.1 years; 13 women) with upper facial wrinkles were included.
Patients’ mean systolic BP levels before and after BoNT-ABO injections were 121.70 mm Hg and 120.25 mm Hg, respectively, although the difference was not statistically significant (P =.52). Their mean diastolic BP values before and after BoNT-ABO injections were 82.00 mm Hg and 80.50 mm Hg, respectively, but the difference was also not statistically significant (P =.45).
“Though our results were not statistically significant, BoNT-ABO appears to [reduce] blood pressure,” the researchers noted. “To further evaluate the effect of botulinum toxin on arterial essential hypertension, new studies in larger series may also serve subjects to conditions that may or may not include lifelong application.”
Reference
Güvenç U, Türsen B, Lotti T, Türsen Ü, Olisova OY, Lomonosov KM. Is botulinum toxin injection for upper face an effective antihypertensive supplement? J Cosmet Dermatol. Published online February 1, 2022. doi:10.1111/jocd.14812
