Upper-face botulinum toxin improves quality of life, psychosocial wellbeing

Aside from improving physical appearance, injection of botulinum toxin to the upper face areas provides health benefits in terms of patient psychosocial wellbeing and quality of life, a recent literature review has found.

Drawing from the databases of PubMed and the Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews and Central Register, the researchers assessed 11 eligible studies that investigated the impact of botulinum toxin injections on psychometrically validated and facial lines-specific patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs).

Pooled analysis of five studies (n=498) using the FACE-Q scale for PROM assessment showed numerical improvements in quality of life after botulinum toxin, particularly as regards participants feeling good about themselves, feeling attractive, or liking themselves.

There were also notable improvements in psychological and social function or confidence, as well as in appearance-related distress.

Moreover, botulinum toxin injections led to significant improvements in scores in the Facial Line Satisfaction Questionnaire and Facial Lines Outcome Questionnaire, regardless of patient age or sex. Such effects also came with strong satisfaction rates and amelioration of negative psychosocial impacts.

Botulinum toxin also improved participants’ self-perceived age, mood, attractiveness, and confidence.

“Botulinum toxin for upper facial aesthetics showed links to true health benefits to well-selected patients in addition to aesthetic amelioration and was consistently associated with a low risk of AEs when provided by experienced practitioners. However, the biological rational remains ambiguous,” the researchers said.

“Future studies may help to determine which patient physical characteristics or psychological motivator factor for botulinum toxin aesthetic treatment best predict a positive response,” they added.