Cosmetic use of botulinum toxin for treatment of downturned mouth

Abstract

This invention provides the use of Botulinum toxin (BTX) to cause paralysis of a depressor anguli oris (DAO) musculature in a patient to alleviate downturn at corners of the patient's mouth.

1. A method of alleviating downturn of corners of a patient's mouth comprising:
 b)  locating a depressor anguli oris (DAO) muscle adjacent each corner of said mouth; and  
 c)  injecting into a DAO adjacent each corner of the mouth, a quantity of BotulnumBotulinum toxin (BTX) sufficient to cause paralysis of a DAO.  
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the quantity of BTX injected into each DAO is about 3-5 Unit equivalents. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  wherein the BTX is Botulinum-A toxin. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein the quantity of BTX injected into each DAO is adjusted to compensate for symmetry of the mouth. 
     
     
       5. A method for providing a facial cosmetic benefit to a human, comprising:
   bilaterally injecting an amount of a Botulinum toxin to depressor anguli oris  ( DAO )  muscles of a human patient, the amount of Botulinum toxin being effective to treat downturn of corners of a patient's mouth.     
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the Botulinum toxin is Botulinum- A toxin.   
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the Botulinum toxin is injected without being administered to the orbicularis oris muscle surrounding the mouth. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the injection of Botulinum toxin is effective to alleviate wrinkles located near the mouth. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the amount of Botulinum toxin is between about  2  units and about  5  units. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 5 , further comprising injecting an orbicularis oris muscle with a total dose of botulinum toxin in the order of  4  units for the entire upper lip. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 5 , further comprising locating a depressor anguli oris ( DAO )  muscle before injecting the Botulinum toxin.   
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 5 , further comprising a step of laser resurfacing tissue in proximity to the mouth. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 5 , further comprising a step of filling soft tissue in proximity to the mouth. 
     
     
       14. A method of alleviating severe upper lip wrinkles of a patient, comprising:
   injecting a small amount of a botulinum toxin into the orbicularis oris muscle in proximity to an upper lip of a human afflicted with severe upper lip wrinkles in conjunction with a treatment of Marionette lines and sad mouth by injection of a botulinum toxin into each depressor anguli oris muscle, the total amount of the botulinum toxin being on the order of  4  Units for the entire upper lip, thereby alleviating the severe upper lip wrinkles.     
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the Botulinum toxin is a botulinum- A toxin.   
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the amount of botulinum toxin injected is at least about  2  units. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the amount of botulinum toxin injected is at least about  3  units. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the amount of botulinum toxin injected is in a range of about  2  units to about  5  units. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the amount of botulinum toxin injected is in a range of about  3  units to about  5  units. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 14 , wherein only the orbicularis oris muscle in proximity to the upper lip is injected. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 14 , further comprising locating the DAO muscle before injecting the Botulinum toxin to the DAO muscle. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 14 , further comprising at least one step selected from the group consisting of laser resurfacing tissue in proximity to the mouth, and filling soft tissue in proximity to the mouth. 
     
     
       23. A method of alleviating downturn of corners of a patient's mouth comprising:
   injecting into a depressor anguli oris  ( DAO )  muscle adjacent each corner of the mouth, a quantity of Botulinum toxin sufficient to cause paralysis of a DAO.     
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 23 , wherein the botulinum toxin is Botulinum- A toxin.   
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 23 , wherein the quantity of Botulinum toxin is between about  2  units and about  5  units. 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 23 , further comprising injecting on the order of  4  units of a Botulinum toxin to an upper lip region located above the patient's mouth.