Safety and Efficacy of Intradermal Injection of Botulinum Toxin for the Treatment of Oily Skin

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intradermal injection of abobotulinumtoxinA for the treatment of oily skin. Methods and Materials Twenty-five patients with oily skin were treated in the forehead region with intradermal injections of botulinum toxin. Baseline and post-treatment sebum production was measured using a sebometer. Photographs were taken. Patients were also asked to rate their satisfaction with the treatment in terms of improvement in their oily skin. Results Treatment with botulinum toxin resulted in significantly lower sebum production at 1week and 1, 2, and 3months after injection (p<.001, t-test). Twenty-one patients (91%) reported that they were satisfied (5075% improvement) with intradermal botulinum toxin as a treatment for oily skin. [Correction added after online publication 7-Jan-2013: the number of satisfied patients has been updated] Conclusion Intradermal injection of botulinum toxin significantly reduced sebum production in the forehead region, with a high degree of patient satisfaction. Intradermal botulinum toxin may be an effective treatment to reduce sebum production in patients with oily skin. Larger, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled studies are warranted.