Affiliation:
1. Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida;
2. University of California Riverside School of Medicine, Riverside, California
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Many reports have described the use of botulinum toxin (BTX) in the treatment of scalp conditions, but no studies have synthesized these collective findings.
OBJECTIVE
We conducted a systematic review to summarize the scalp conditions for which treatment with BTX has been described.
METHODS
We searched PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus for articles in English published before November 1, 2022, using the keywords “hair” or “scalp” and BTX-related search terms. Articles that described patients who received injections of BTX for the management of scalp conditions were included.
RESULTS
Twenty-four original articles (12 case reports, 9 clinical trials, and 3 case series) were identified that described 309 patients with a scalp condition treated with BTX. Androgenetic alopecia, craniofacial hyperhidrosis, and scalp hyperseborrhea had the most robust data supporting the clinical efficacy of BTX.
CONCLUSION
The current quality of evidence is highly variable and, for many conditions, limited to small observational studies. Botulinum toxin may be a promising therapeutic option for patients with various scalp conditions, but future studies are needed to better understand its efficacy and safety.
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Subject
Dermatology,General Medicine,Surgery