A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Health-Outcomes Survey of the Effect of Botulinum Toxin Type A Injections on Quality of Life and Self-Esteem

BACKGROUND: Although studies show that botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA) can positively influence one's first impression, little research has been conducted to measure the effect that BoNTA has on mental well-being. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects that BoNTA injections for the treatment of facial wrinkles had on quality of life (QOL) and self-esteem. METHODS AND MATERIALS: One hundred participants received treatment with BoNTA or placebo saline in this double-blind randomized placebo-controlled survey. All participants completed a health outcomes survey consisting of Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form and Heatherton and Polivy State Self-Esteem measurements before injection and 2 weeks and 3 months after injection. RESULTS: Statistically significant improvements (p<.05) in participants treated with BoNTA were observed in answers to QOL questions regarding physical health, mood, household activities, overall life satisfaction, body satisfaction, self-consciousness, intellect, self-worth, appearance, comprehension, weight satisfaction, attractiveness, and sense of well-being. Increases in overall self-esteem and appearance-, social-, and performance-related self-esteem were observed in participants treated with BoNTA. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that BoNTA injections result in improvements in QOL and self-esteem. In addition, BoNTA-naïve participants demonstrate greater improvements in QOL and self-esteem than participants previously exposed to BoNTA. Moreover, BoNTA-familiar participants demonstrated sustained improvement in QOL and self-esteem relative to BoNTA-naïve participants, even when injected with placebo.