A new analysis of existing studies suggests that adding botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A), commonly known as Botox, to standard scar management may improve scar appearance. The review looked at patients who received BoNT-A as an add-on treatment alongside other scar therapies, compared to standard care alone.
The findings showed that scars treated with BoNT-A scored better on two common rating scales: the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and the Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale (SBSES). On the VSS, the improvement was about 1.80 points, and on the SBSES, about 1.46 points. These results suggest a potential benefit for scar appearance.
However, the evidence is considered low-certainty. The studies included used different treatment approaches, making it hard to draw firm conclusions. The findings are suggestive rather than confirmatory, and experts say they are strictly exploratory.
No safety information was reported in the analysis, so it is not clear if there were any side effects. The review highlights that BoNT-A may help by reducing local mechanical tension on scars, but clinical use should be cautious and tailored to each patient. More research is needed to confirm these results.
