The idea of combining both neurotoxin and filler treatments to treat a patient is a concept that has been around for years, but only continues to grow in popularity. There are various benefits of using both injectables to treat a patient. It allows practitioners to provide customizable treatment plans by addressing multiple areas of the face. Where neurotoxins are typically used around the eyes and forehead, dermal fillers are most commonly used on the middle and lower areas of the face. Furthermore, used together, they can also prolong the results of the treatment. A neurotoxin can help slow down the breakdown of a hyaluronic acid, improving the longevity of the results. But possibly more important than all of these benefits is the fact that using combination treatments can also result in satisfied patients that keep returning to your office.
A new study, published by the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology says that patients that received a combination treatment of both neuromodulators and hyaluronic acid soft tissue fillers were more likely to return to their practitioner for future procedures.
Researchers Shannon Humphrey, MD, FRCPC, et al, reviewed patient retention rates in 7 practices across 5 continents, incorporating over 2600 patients. Retention rates, which are a great marker of patient satisfaction, were compared at 1, 3, and 5 years. They analyzed those patients that received a neuromodulator treatment (Botox, Dysport, Xeomin) only, a hyaluronic acid treatment (Belotero, Emervel, Juvederm, Restylane, and Teosyal) only, and then those who received a combination treatment.
The results showed that combination treatments significantly increased the probability of patient retention for each of the time points compared to Neuromodultors or Hyaluronic Acid alone (P < .0001 for both).
While we have known that combination treatments prove to be successful, there had not been many studies done before this that actually calculated the retention rate of those who receive combination treatments as opposed to those who just receive a single treatment.
Keep this in mind when you are consulting your patients on the best treatment plan to achieve their desired results. Using a combination of fillers and toxins could be a win for both you and your patient!