Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory disease resulting from follicular obstruction. This recurrent condition leads to the formation of fistulas and scars, which affect a patient's quality of life. The literature offers multiple therapeutic modalities, such as topical and oral antibiotics, isotretinoin, dapsone, TNF-α inhibitors, finasteride, conventional surgical therapies, and lasers (CO₂, Nd:Yag). The present article provides a review of these treatments and their indications, according to the stages of Hurley, which provides the dermatologist with a greater command of different techniques, thus leading to a more adequate treatment of patients.

Keywords: HIDRADENITIS SUPPURATIVA; THERAPEUTIC; LASER THERAPY.

The width of the lower third of the face is mainly determined by the size and shape of the jawbone, the thickness of the masseter muscle and the volume of adjacent subcutaneous tissue. The ideal, culturally recognized pattern for a male face corresponds to a wider lower third and a mandibular angle tending to 90º, while a female face should have a more oval appearance or the shape of a heart, and the middle third wider than the lower third. In order to achieve these aesthetically ideal proportions, botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA) has been successfully applied in the masseter muscle, which is one of the determinates of the lower face's width. Te present article reviews the current literature on the use of botulinum toxin for this purpose, offering the experience of the authors in this practice, aiming at achieving a more harmonious facial contour.

Keywords: BOTULINUM TOXINS, TYPE A; MASSETER MUSCLE; HYPERTROPHY

Introduction: The use of botulinum toxin in the periorbital muscles is aimed at reducing expression lines in that site, correcting the eyebrows' height and treating blepharospasm. However, the application of botulinum toxin in this area can lead to undesirable side effects, such as ptosis, edema in the lower eyelids, artificial appearance of the demarcation area between the orbicularis muscle's treated area and the malar region, ectropion and hematomas.
Objective: To treat the dynamic wrinkles in the lower portion of the orbicularis oculi muscle through injections of microdoses of botulinum toxin.
Methods: A prospective monocentric study with the analytical longitudinal observation of 300 patients undergoing treatment with botulinum toxin microdoses in the lower eyelids' rhytids was carried out. Sociodemographic data, patient satisfaction, dose quantification and complications were analyzed.
Results: Sixty-six percent of the patients showed a total improvement of the wrinkles after the first session. The other required an additional session. Eighty-six percent preferred the treatment with this therapeutic modality.
Conclusions: Despite the great benefit offered by the classic injection points for the treatment of periorbital rhytids types I to III, the authors observed the need to treat rhytids type B (presence of wrinkles on the lower eyelid). Due to the high rate of complications in this region, microdoses of botulinum toxin were proven to be effective and safe.

Keywords: BOTULINUM TOXINS, TYPE A; ESTHETICS; DERMATOLOGY

Introduction: The application of botulinum toxin in the perioral region is a minimally invasive procedure that leads to substantial improvement in the signs of aging in addition to increasing the volume of the lips. However literature on this procedure is still scarce.
Objective: To evaluate changes in shape and volume of the lips, as well as the patients' satisfaction after the application of botulinum toxin in perioral lines.
Methods: Nineteen patients underwent evaluation, photographic record and measurements following the application of botulinum toxin in the perioral region, being subsequently assessed for changes in the lips and satisfaction.
Results: Most of the patients rated their lips as moderately or significantly more attractive after the application of botulinum toxin (p = 0.039). Fifteen women deemed the changes in the lips as a major factor in the overall improvement of their faces.
Conclusions: The use of botulinum toxin in the perioral region leads to the elevation of the upper lip, causing the shortening of the philtrum and the extension of the vermilion. The application of botulinum toxin in the vermilion's border leads to the relaxation of the orbicularis muscle, favoring a more intense tonus effect arising from the upper lip lifting muscles. The patients' satisfaction with the appearance of their lips was evaluated by four additional questions (linked to the lip's shape, volume, attraction and beauty), receiving positive answers. Side effects were minimal.

Keywords: LIP; BOTULINUM TOXINS, TYPE A; BOTULINUM TOXINS

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory, recurrent and debilitating skin disease. Its etiopathogenesis involves follicular occlusion and genetic, environmental and immunological factors. Diagnosis is predominantly clinical, and the therapeutic approach is a major challenge due to its impact on the patient's quality of life. The surgical option is the most indicated in severe cases, nevertheless there is no consensus on the ideal treatment, as outcomes are diverse, and the aesthetic aspect after the procedure is generally unfavorable. This article was aimed at reporting a surgical option with primary wound closure, whose aesthetic result was superior to those derived from traditional techniques.

Keywords: HIDRADENITIS SUPPURATIVA; HIDRADENITIS; DERMATOLOGIC SURGICAL PROCEDURES; DERMATOLOGY; THERAPEUTICS

Introduction: Standard dilution of botulinum toxin is performed with 0.9% saline solution. Some studies show that when diluted in lidocaine and epinephrine, the toxin preserves its function without compromising effectiveness or safety.
Objective: To establish whether the paralyzing effect of ona-toxin type A reconstituted in anesthetic (2% lidocaine) and vasoconstrictor agent (1: 50,000 epinephrine) is as effective as that of the same toxin reconstituted in saline solution, at 48 hours, 1 week, 2, 4, 12 and 24 weeks, for the treatment of periocular lines. To compare the tolerance to pain between the two reconstitution alternatives.
Methods: Fifteen patients with periocular wrinkles were randomized to receive onabotulinum toxin diluted in lidocaine with epinephrine or in saline. Re-evaluations were carried out in 48 hours, 1 week, 2, 4, 12 and 24 weeks.
Results: The data indicate that there was no difference in the symmetry and durability of the botulinum toxin, nor in the pain during the application.
Conclusions: There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of lateral periocular muscle paralysis and symmetry resulting from the applications of onabotulinum toxin reconstituted in lidocaine with epinephrine or in saline solution. This outcome is consistent with those of previous studies.

Keywords: BOTULINUM TOXINS, TYPE A; DILUTION; LIDOCAINE

INTRODUCTION: Hidradenitis supurativa (HS) is a chronic skin disease whose mechanism is not yet fully understood. It has a direct impact on the quality of life of affected patients, but there is no well-established therapy for its treatment.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of life of patients diagnosed with HS on adalimumab using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire.
METHODS: Information was collected from patients with HS on adalimumab and standard DLQI questionnaires were applied before the beginning of treatment and at least 12 weeks after.
RESULTS: Of the three patients included, two presented decreased DLQI. Of these two, one showed significant improvement after treatment with adalimumab. The third patient showed worsening of this index.
CONCLUSIONS: The impact of hidradenitis supurativa on the quality of life of affected patients is significant and is related to factors other than adequate therapy. Life habits such as smoking and alcoholism, as well as the presence of other comorbidities, probably impact these indices. Affected patients should be assessed globally to determine the actual impact on the quality of life related to the disease in question. Thus, we suggest further studies with a larger number of patients.

Keywords: Hidradenitis suppurativa; Quality of life; Indicators of quality of life

INTRODUCTION: Patients often request anti-aging treatments of the perioral and periorbital regions. Most of the time, it is necessary to use a combination of procedures, so the result meets the patient’s expectations.
OBJECTIVE: This is a prospective, single-center, and comparative study assessing the rejuvenation of the perioral and periorbital regions after treatment with medium depth chemical peel using phenol 88% with or without the previous application of botulinum toxin.
METHODS: Sixteen patients underwent regional peel with phenol 88%; eight received botulinum toxin application two weeks before. The assessment was conducted using standard photographs and evaluation scales by doctors and patients.
RESULTS: The overall evaluation by doctors and patients on the 45th day was considered excellent or good for all patients, with little advantage for combined treatment in the periorbital region.
CONCLUSION: Combining these two relatively low-cost procedures, often overlooked by dermatologists, resulted in a significant improvement in the changes related to aging in these areas.

Keywords: Botulinum toxins type A; Chemexfoliation; Phenol; Rejuvenation

Dowling-Degos disease (DDD) is a rare genodermatosis. Progressive reticular hyperpigmentation of flexural areas mainly characterizes the disease, which may be associated with a large spectrum of benign lesions and cutaneous neoplasms. It may cause psychosocial impairment due to the deformity caused by the lesions with significant aesthetic damage. We present two cases of male patients with hyperchromic macules, multiple comedones, epidermal cysts, cribriform scars on the face, cervical region, dorsum, anterior thorax, armpits, genital region, and disfiguring tumors, characteristic of DDD.

Keywords: Carcinoma; Genetics; Hidradenitis; Hidradenitis Suppurativa; Skin Pigmentation

INTRODUCTION: Facial erythema is a frequent and often distressing complaint in patients with rosacea. Botulinum toxin has been proposed as a treatment of facial erythema with relatively good results.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess botulinum toxin’s safety and efficacy in a split-face trial in two different administration modalities: intradermal injections on one side of the face and facial electroporation on the other side.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The trial enrolled 20 subjects aged between 25 and 75 years with erythematotelangiectatic rosacea. Subjects received five units of Botulinum toxin through intradermal injections on the right side of the face. The same amount was introduced through electroporation technique on the left side. We conducted the evaluation using a standardized erythema grading system (System Vectra) and digital photographs at baseline, 2, 6, and 12 weeks.
RESULTS: The effectiveness in reducing the erythema of botulinum toxin with both the injection and electroporation was evident from the second week and persisted until week 12. Both techniques were effective.
CONCLUSIONS: Intradermal injection of botulinum toxin and electroporation seems both effective and safe for treating erythema related to rosacea. The mechanism of action is still controversial.

Keywords: Erythema; Mesotherapy; Botulinum Toxins, Type A

INTRODUCTION: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflamatory, chronic, recurrent, and debilitating condition. There is a lack of consensus about its treatment.
OBJECTIVE: We conducted a review of the national and international literature, searching for articles that addressed the use of botulinum toxin in HS, in addition to describing the doses and techniques used.
METHODS: A bibliographic search was performed in LILACS, Medline, and SciELO.
RESULTS: Botulinum toxin can be an effective therapy in patients with HS, especially in cases of concomitant hyperhidrosis and traditional therapies fail. It offers the possibility of conducting treatment with minimal adverse events, reproducible over time without loss of effectiveness, in addition to reducing pain.
CONCLUSIONS: Patients will likely need more than one treatment over time, as the lesions tend to recur after 6 to 10 months. The technique used has been the standard for hyperhidrosis. Further research is needed to understand its role in the management of HS, including the ideal dosage and frequency of administration.

Keywords: Hidradenitis suppurativa; Hidradenitis; Botulinum toxins; Botulinum toxins, type A

Frontal fibrous alopecia is a primary lymphocytic scarring alopecia that is difficult to control, with a perifollicular lichenoid infiltrate marking its histology. Since its description in 1994 by Kossard, there has been an increase in cases reported worldwide. This article reports two cases that underwent incisional biopsies with longitudinal and transverse sections in areas presenting higher disease activity and reviews some aspects of this dermatosis. It also addresses the suspicion of a possible relationship with the application of botulinum toxin – a question already raised by other authors but with no established confirmation.

Keywords: Alopecia; Botulinum toxins; Botulinum toxins type A

BACKGROUND: The SARS-CoV-2 infection has spread worldwide rapidly since its identification at the end of 2019. Globally, until April 2021, there have been more than 150 million confirmed cases of Covid-19, including over 3 million deaths. Therefore, a race was promptly started to produce an effective vaccine against the new virus. Botulinum toxin injection remains the leading non-surgical cosmetic procedure worldwide, with a high rate of efficacy and patient satisfaction.
AIMS: This study aims to analyze the association between the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and the immediate botulinum toxin response.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an observational, retrospective, and multicenter study. Data were collected between April and June 2021, and a medical record review of 71 patients from 27 to 76 years old treated with botulinum toxin injection.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There were no meaningful changes in the immediate outcome of patients vaccinated for Covid-19 and botulinum toxin. However, it is vital to underline that follow-up and further studies are needed to define whether the Covid-19 vaccine can alter the duration of effect and efficiency of the botulinum toxin.

Keywords: Covid-19; Botulinum toxins type A; Vaccination

INTRODUCTION: Hidradenitis Suppurativa is a chronic inflamatory and relapsing disease. High levels of recurrence can persist even after wide local excision.
OBJECTIVE: Identify the main risk factors for postoperative complications of Hidradentis Suppurativa.
METHODS: We included journal articles with data from Google, Pubmed, Lilacs, and Scielo, in Portuguese and English, from 2000 to 2021.
RESULTS: The main risk factors that influence postoperative outcomes are related to surgical technique, disease severity, comorbidities, and adjuvant clinical therapy.

Keywords: Hidradenitis suppurativa; Risk factors; Postoperative complications

Notalgia Paresthetica (NP) is a sensory neuropathy characterized by itching, with or without a macule. The Botulinum Toxin A treatment may have beneficial effects on pruritus, possibly by inhibiting the substance P. This study aims to evaluate the benefits/limitations of Botulinum Toxin in NP treatment. The methodology consisted of the selection of publications in PubMed, filtered by predefined criteria. Five articles were compiled, and the results were favorable in four of them. The study concluded the effectiveness of Botulinum Toxin A treatment in most of the articles, especially in the pruritus improvement.

Keywords: Pruritus; Botulinum toxins type A; Hyperesthesia; Hyperpigmentation.