Consensus Recommendations for Treatment Strategies in Indians Using Botulinum Toxin and Hyaluronic Acid Fillers

BACKGROUND: Indians constitute one of the largest population groups in the world. Facial anthropometry, morphology, and age-related changes in Indians differ from those of other ethnic groups, necessitating a good understanding of their facial structure and the required aesthetic treatment strategies. However, published recommendations specific to Indians are few, particularly regarding combination treatment. METHODS: The Indian Facial Aesthetics Expert Group (19 dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and aesthetic physicians with a mean 15.5 years’ aesthetic treatment experience) met to develop consensus recommendations for the cosmetic facial use of botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid fillers, alone and in combination, in Indians. Treatment strategies and dosage recommendations (agreed by ≥ 75% of the group) were based on results of a premeeting survey, peer-reviewed literature, and the experts’ clinical experience. RESULTS: The need for combination treatment increases with age. Tear trough deficiency is the most common midface indication in Indian women aged 20–40 years. In older women, malar volume loss and jowls are the most common aesthetic concerns. Excess medial soft tissue on a relatively smaller midface precedes age-related sagging. Hence, in older Indians, fillers should be used peripherally to achieve lift and conservatively in the medial zones to avoid adding bulk medially. The shorter, wider lower face requires 3-dimensional correction, including chin augmentation, to achieve increased facial height and the oval shape desired by most Indian women. CONCLUSIONS: These recommendations give physicians treating Indians worldwide a better understanding of their unique facial characteristics and provide treatment strategies to achieve optimal aesthetic outcomes.