Yet Another Use for Botox

Sometimes a surgical incision or a wound on the face can lead to wrinkles and scarring, caused by contractions of the facial muscles nearby. Botox (botulinum toxin) enhances healing and improves the eventual appearance in selected cases.

An article in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings describes the use of Botox injections into neighboring musculature in selected facial wounds or surgical procedures, compared with the use of a placebo injection. The injections were made within 24 hours of the wound closure. Patients were randomly assigned to receive Botox or the saline placebo. Assessment of the result was based on standardized photographs read by experienced plastic surgeons, who were unaware of whether the picture came from a Botox- or placebo-treated patient.

Out of 31 patients in the study, those receiving Botox had statistically significant superior results, from a cosmetic point of view. The explanation is that Botox immobilized the muscles around the scar area during the early stages of the healing process. Score another one for Botox!