High frequency application of botulinum toxin therapy

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for reducing facial lines or wrinkles of the skin or of removing facial asymmetries by administering a composition containing the neurotoxic component of a Clostridium botulinum toxin complex, wherein the composition may be devoid of any other protein of the Clostridium botulinum toxin complex and wherein the composition is administered at short intervals and/or in high doses.

1 . A method of reducing facial lines or wrinkles of the skin or of removing facial asymmetries, the method comprising administering to an individual a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a neurotoxic component of a  Clostridium botulinum  toxin complex, the composition being devoid of any other protein component of the  Clostridium botulinum  toxin complex, wherein
 (a) the individual is a human;   (b) the composition is locally administered by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection of a nonlethal dose to, or in vicinity of, one or more facial muscles or muscles involved in the formation of wrinkles of the skin or facial asymmetries; and   (c) the composition is administered at an interval that comprises a first treatment and a second treatment, wherein the second treatment is carried out at a point in time when the efficacy of the first treatment begins to decline.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is injected into the frown line, horizontal forehead line, crow's feet, nose perioral fold, mental ceases, popply chin, platysmal bands, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the injected muscle is selected from the group consisting of corrugator supercillii, orbicularis oculi, procerus, venter frontalis of occipitofrontalis, orbital part of orbicularis oculi, nasalis, upper lip, orbicularis oris, lower lip, depressor angulis oris, mentalis and platysma. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the neurotoxic component is selected from the group consisting of type A, B, C, D, E, F, G or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         5 . A method of reducing facial lines or wrinkles of the skin or of removing facial asymmetries, the method comprising administering to an individual a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a neurotoxic component of a  Clostridium botulinum  toxin complex, wherein
 (a) the individual is a human;   (b) the composition is locally administered by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection of a non-lethal dose to, or in vicinity of, one or more facial muscles or muscles involved in the formation of wrinkles of the skin or facial asymmetries; and   (c) the composition is administered at an interval that comprises a first treatment and a second treatment, wherein the second treatment is carried out at a point in time when the efficacy of the first treatment begins to decline.