The botulinum toxin experience: results of a patient self-report questionnaire.

There are several words in our current vernacular that reliably elicit powerful cognitive, visual, and emotional reactions in the populace. Undoubtedly, "Botox()" is one of them. Beyond issues regarding the safety of the molecule, there are controversies surrounding the overall legitimacy of the cosmetic use of botulinum toxin type A-1. Many people question whether the cosmetic use of botulinum toxin type A-1 is a "legitimate" medical procedure versus a cosmetic indulgence. The authors report data obtained from a patient self-report questionnaire designed to assess positive or negative changes in feelings and functional status after botulinum toxin type A-1 treatment of the forehead and glabellar region. The authors developed concrete, succinct, and pointed questions pertaining to spheres of function (i.e., work, social, family, intrapsychic, and intimate functioning). Results of this pilot study serve as a persuasive preliminary database to argue that botulinum toxin therapy is more than simply an indulgence therapy.