How Botox Can Treat Acne and Scars with Regular Treatment

Can Botox Treat Acne and Scars?

No doubt about it, Botox injections have become synonymous with a more youthful appearance, as this treatment temporarily erases fine lines and wrinkles. However, botulinum toxin is also highly effective for several off-label uses, such as headaches and excessive sweating. Does Botox help acne? Although it is not a cure-all, getting regular Botox injections can help treat acne and accompanying scars.

How Does Botox Treat Acne?

Several studies have shown that botulinum toxin injections positively affect new acne production. Just as Botox stops excessive sweat, Botox appears to stop one of the main components of acne formation, namely excessive production from the sebaceous glands. Botox reduces excess sweating by blocking nerve signals that cause sweat glands to become active. Similarly, when we inject Botox into an arrector pili muscle near the breakout site, it blocks the oil production mechanisms that produce clogged pores, resulting in acne. Specifically, the arrector pili muscle must contract for sebum production to occur. Botox injections also appear to have a positive effect in reducing pore size and acne scares, which often accompany acne outbreaks. The most significant impact of Botox on acne seems to be one to four weeks post-treatment, after which the sebaceous glands become more active again.

Sebum production is only one component of acne. Too much oil reaching the skin's pores combines with bacteria, which use sebum as food to produce inflammation, resulting in pimples. Stopping or minimizing sebum production decreases the amount of oil on the skin, thereby reducing the chances of an acne eruption.

Dermatologists use onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) and abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport) to treat facial acne, although the dosages are slightly different.

Understanding How Acne Develops

In addition to sebum production, three additional factors are present in acne development: abnormal skin cell proliferation, adhesion leading to clogged pores and inflammation. As an acne treatment, Botox injections target acetylcholine, the same neurotransmitter involved in forming fine lines and wrinkles. The sebaceous glands use acetylcholine in other ways throughout sebum production. Besides targeting the follicular unit, the area where hair and oil glands meet.

Botulinum toxin injections may also affect the three remaining factors. A 2017 study published in Neuroscience indicates that Botox treatment prevents the release of an inflammatory substance known as substance P, essentially making it an anti-inflammatory agent that could possibly resolve inflammation in hair follicles. Some evidence also indicates that botulinum toxin may even change how skin cells overproliferate, contributing to clogged pores that further exacerbate acne outbreaks.

What Type of Acne Does Botulinum Toxin Treat Best?

Although evidence is more anecdotal, Botox appears to have a lesser effect on comedones, also known as whiteheads and blackheads. However, it is more effective for oil-related comedones than deep cystic acne, so if you want a treatment for cystic acne, you should look elsewhere. Botox injections also appear to have the best skin-clearing effect for acne on the forehead.

Traditional Acne Treatment

Most dermatologists recommend traditional treatments for acne, including topical retinoids, antibiotic creams, and azelaic acid. Some doctors may also recommend systemic treatment with oral antibiotics, combined oral contraceptives for women, and similar interventions in severe cases. Each therapy has side effects, particularly on liver function. Laser treatments have also become popular aesthetic treatments. However, many nonpharmacological treatments have short-term efficacy and require frequent follow-ups.

Botox is Not a Stand-Alone Acne Treatment 

The effects of Botox wear off three to six months after injections, necessitating repeat treatments to maintain results. However, because botulinum toxin only affects the oil production needed for acne eruptions and doesn't directly improve comedones, papules, cysts or nodules, most doctors recommend that patients undergo a combination of cosmetic treatments to enhance the appearance of acne-affected skin.

For example, other dermatology treatments appear to have a more significant effect on acne scars. Injecting collagen and other substances can plump the skin to lessen the appearance of indented scars. Other common procedures used to treat acne scars include:

• Laser resurfacing
• Energy-based treatments, like intense pulsed light and radiofrequency
• Dermaplaning and chemical peels for deeper scarring
• Microneedling to stimulate collagen production

Many of these procedures require repeated sessions to achieve clearer skin. In addition, some also have a positive effect on reducing pore size.

Learn More About Using Botox to Combat Acne

Small doses of Botox can benefit many conditions, including clearing the skin of wrinkles or acne production. If you want to learn more about how Botox prevents acne outbreaks, the medical professionals at VIVAA are willing to help. Contact our medical spa office at 425-250-9999 or complete our online Request an Appointment form.