The Potential Role of Botulinum Toxin in Improving Superficial Cutaneous Scarring: A Review

Botulinum toxins have been utilized in a number of cosmetic and therapeutic applications. One of the more novel uses of botulinum toxin involves its use to mitigate the effects of superficial cutaneous scarring. This is accomplished by decreasing the dynamic tension of a wound by denervating the underlying muscle. Studies have indicated that botulinum toxin serotypes A and B have a positive effect on wound healing and scar appearance. However, larger prospective, blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials are required to refine this concept and target optimum toxin dose placement, timing, and concentration. The delayed onset of effect of available botulinum toxins is likely not taking full advantage of the scar improvement capabilities of the toxin, considering the time to immobilization of the muscle is a key factor in the improvement of wound healing with this technique. Furthermore, it has been noted in studies that the use of botulinum toxin can result in significant, yet temporary functional issues, due to prolonged paralysis of the muscle. In this paper, we review the role of botulinum toxin in improving scar appearance, evaluate animal and human studies to date demonstrating its effect on scarring, and highlight an opportunity for continued research in this application. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018;17(9):956-958.