Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patient satisfaction following cosmetic neurotoxin treatment has been widely studied, but little is known about how this affects downstream behavior. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the actions taken by patients following cosmetic neurotoxin injection, with regard to their most and least positive treatment experiences. METHODS: This was an online, self-administered survey conducted among adults residing in Brazil, Canada, United Kingdom, and United States. Eligible participants had received 4 or more previous neurotoxin treatments to temporarily improve the appearance of upper facial lines, at least one of which was in the past 12 months. RESULTS: A total of 1612 respondents completed the questionnaire (61% female; mean age: 38.1 ± 9.6 years). After their most positive experience, 81% said they engaged in actions directed toward their healthcare professional (HCP) (eg, scheduled another treatment or posted a review on the HCP's website), and 81% took actions directed at others (eg, talked to friends and family or posted a review online). After their least positive experience, 58% engaged in actions directed toward their HCP (with 22% expressing dissatisfaction directly), and 73% took actions to inform other people; many said they discouraged others from using their HCP (52%) or from seeking cosmetic neurotoxin injections altogether (27%). CONCLUSIONS: Respondents were less likely to inform their HCP of their satisfaction level after their least positive experience of cosmetic neurotoxin treatment compared with the most positive. Thus, practitioners may often be unaware of dissatisfied individuals. Patient-centered care and consistent proactive follow-up are essential to understanding patient perspectives on outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5 (Therapeutic).