New Treatment for Facial Scarring

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Facial scarring can have serious effects, not only on physical appearance, but also on a person's functionality and psychological state.

Current techniques for scar reduction include stitches that pull the wound together and flaps that get more skin to the area of the wound.

A study from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., reveals the use of botulinum toxin (BOTOX) in the early healing stages of a facial wound can reduce scarring.

During the study, 31 patients with forehead wounds were randomly chosen to receive injections of either botulinum toxin or saline and were photographed at the first injection and again six months later.

When a wound is trying to heal, muscles can continuously alter the wound, resulting in a more pronounced scar. However, injections of botulinum toxins can paralyze the area surrounding the wound, preventing damaging muscle movement and maintaining a smooth surface, allowing the wound to heal.

According to the researchers, this is the first medication found to minimize scarring.

Very few negative side effects of botulinum toxin were noticed in the study, except an infrequent bruise where the injection was administered or a headache. The greatest possible risk is temporary paralysis of a key function, like injecting into the eyelid and losing its protective function.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

SOURCE: Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 2006;81:1023-1028