A Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Study of Botox® for the Treatment of Subjects with Chin Rhytids

Background: Botox has been used primarily for treating rhytids of the upper face. Its use in the lower part of the face has been reported by several authors but there is a relative scarcity of information regarding the use of Botox in the chin and even fewer well-controlled studies in this area. This study reports the findings from a placebo-controlled trial of Botox for the treatment of chin rhytids.

Objective: To determine whether Botox would improve chin rhytids.

Methods: A double-blinded, placebo-controlled study utilizing injections of Botox into one half of the chin and saline into the other half. Photography as well as objective ratings were used to rate the changes due to the injections.

Results: Physicians and patients were able to discern a difference between the mentalis rhytids treated with Botox and the rhytids treated with placebo. This change was statistically significant and consistent across various time points and was noted at rest as well as at maximal mentalis contraction. Of the twenty patients treated, 11 were satisfied with the results, 7 patients were not satisfied with their results, 1 was not sure whether or not they were satisfied, 1 was very unsatisfied with her results, and 1 was lost to follow-up. It is believed that the lower satisfaction ratings were a function of asymmetric appearance that resulted from the design of the study rather than dissatisfaction with the improvement of the rhytids in the treated side of the mentalis.

Conclusions: Botox cosmetic is an effective treatment for moderate rhytids of the mentalis for patients that exhibit significant, dynamic, chin wrinkles