New research highlights both the therapeutic potential of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) in scar prevention and the widespread misconceptions surrounding its use.
A new study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery indicates that BoNT-A reduces the formation of pathological scars and generates high levels of patient satisfaction, without serious adverse effects. The review included 19 studies involving a total of 686 patients and consisted of randomised controlled trials and cohort studies identified through searches of PubMed, Scopus, Embase and Web of Science. Overall, patients treated with BoNT-A were approximately 83% more likely to be satisfied with their scar outcome compared with those who did not receive the treatment.
Separately, a comprehensive review, Botulinum Toxin A Myths, Evidence, and Global Media Narratives, published in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, has highlighted public misconceptions about BoNT-A. Researchers analysed 513 English-language sources published between 2000 and 2024, including 186 academic studies and 327 media reports. Media coverage was predominantly negative, with safety and toxicity misconceptions appearing 3.2 times more frequently than in peer-reviewed literature.