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Botulinum toxin cosmetic therapy correlates with a more positive mood
Author(s) -
Lewis Michael B,
Bowler Patrick J
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of cosmetic dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.626
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1473-2165
pISSN - 1473-2130
DOI - 10.1111/j.1473-2165.2009.00419.x
Subject(s) - mood , botulinum toxin , mechanism (biology) , affect (linguistics) , psychology , depression (economics) , medicine , clinical psychology , neuroscience , communication , philosophy , epistemology , economics , macroeconomics
Summary Background It has been suggested that botulinum toxin A (BTX‐A) treatment for frown lines can also be used as a treatment for depression. A psychological mechanism for this effect is reviewed in which paralysis of the corrugator (frown) muscles leads to less facial feedback for negative emotions. Consequently, a negative affect is harder to maintain and so the person has a more positive mood. Methods In order to test this mechanism, the mood of patients who had received BTX‐A treatment for glabelar frown lines was measured and compared with patients who had received other cosmetic treatments. Results The BTX‐A–treated patients showed significantly less negative mood. Conclusion The results support the facial feedback view that frowning can make one unhappier. Treatments that prevent frowning correlate with reduced negative mood.