How to improve infraorbital hollows with neuromodulators–A clinical prospective interventional study about the application of facial biomechanics

Abstract

BackgroundA previous injection algorithm termed the “Toxin Lift” was recently introduced and described volume increases in the midface following neuromodulator treatments of the jawline. Increase in midfacial volume due to soft tissue repositioning could also affect the severity of infraorbital hollows.ObjectiveThe objective is therefore to evaluate whether the severity of infraorbital hollows can be improved by injecting neuromodulators in the supra‐mandibular segment of the platysma.Materials and MethodsA total of 35 volunteers (11 males/24 females) with a mean age of 39.8 (9.6) years and a mean BMI of 25.2 (5.2) kg/m2 were investigated. Bilateral infraorbital regions were evaluated via clinical assessment and semi‐quantitative 3D imaging. The applied injection technique targeted the platysma via four injection points administering 5 I.U. per injection point resulting in a total of 20 I.U. per facial side.ResultsVolume increase of the infraorbital region was 0.13 cc at 15 days (p = 0.001) and was 0.02 cc at 30 days (p = 0.452) whereas the skin displacement in cranial direction was 0.54 mm at 15 days (p < 0.001) and was 0.31 mm at 30 days (p < 0.001). Clinical evaluation revealed a highly statistically significant improvement of the tear trough, palpaebromalar groove, and of the lid‐cheek junction when compared to baseline with all p < 0.001.ConclusionThe results of this clinical prospective interventional analysis revealed that the “Toxin Lift” injection technique is capable to improve the clinical appearance of infraorbital hollows. The effects can be explained by the concepts of facial biomechanics.