Treat scars with botox?

Having scars is considered unpleasant by many people. Sometimes it is a reminder of an unpleasant event or period, but in addition, a scar is often seen as cosmetically disturbing. In addition, scars can be itchy, painful or cause movement restrictions. For the treatment of scars, the choice is vast. You can opt for laser treatments, peels, surgical correction and even, in some cases, treatment with fillers. But you hardly ever hear anything about botox, even though botox is increasingly used to treat scars. Dokter Michèle tells all about it in this blog.

Using botox for multiple purposes 

It is common knowledge that treatment with botox is an excellent choice when it comes to reducing wrinkles and fine lines to counteract an angry or tired appearance. Botox, also called Botulinum Toxin, affects muscle tension and causes the muscle in the skin to temporarily relax. In addition, botox has a beneficial effect on the skin structure itself. The pores in the face become less visible, creating a beautiful and healthy glow! But as we mentioned in a previous blog about botox, botox is used for multiple purposes. What many people do not know is that botox is also used against dimples in the chin, clenching jaws and gritting teeth, excessive sweating, headache symptoms, drooping corners of the mouth, excessive working muscles in the neck or drooping eyebrows. In addition, botox is also used medically for certain muscle disorders and spasms. It is also used to treat scars.

Using Botox for “fresh” scars and wounds 

The moment you have a wound, your body makes sure it heals and creates a scar. In normal wound healing, inflammatory cells often cause some redness and swelling in the first two weeks, in addition, our connective tissue cells ensure that the wound will close. A scar can sometimes heal unfavorably, becoming a bit thicker and redder or even causing pain. Excess scar tissue is caused by impaired wound healing, where fibroblasts get too excited and thus excess scar tissue is formed. 

Fibroblasts are the most important cells in our connective tissue and are also responsible for the production of collagen. If too much collagen is produced, the scar may look red and thickened and also feel painful. Research has shown that botox has a beneficial effect on wound healing. Therefore, botox treatment can help with a fresh wound or scar. By injecting botox the scar heals more thinly and beautifully. This is because Botox inhibits the overactive fibroblasts and thus the production of collagen. In addition, botox also ensures that the scar will become more even in color and texture, and it can even be used in some cases to prevent capsule formation. 

Treating older scars 

Of course, botox cannot always be used in every place and for every type of scar. The possibilities will have to be looked at per indication. Do you have older scars, for example, due to acne, an accident or surgery? Then it is always an option to visit one of our skin therapists. Here you can think of microneedling, peelings and/or laser treatments. Depending on the thickness, color and age of the scar, the skin therapist will choose a specific treatment method or a combination. Therefore, it is wise to be well informed about this by a skin therapist or cosmetic doctor, so you know what they might be able to do for your scars!

Are you curious about scar reduction treatment? Please feel free to contact our clinic for a no-obligation consultation so we can look at the possibilities together!