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A single session of microbotox, which consists of multiple intradermal injections of microdroplets of diluted onabotulinum toxin A, was safe and effective for reducing the size of facial pores, improving skin texture, and reducing skin oiliness, according to study findings published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
The prospective study included 35 patients (age range, 25-40 years) from an outpatient clinic in Egypt who had wide facial pores of varying severities. These patients also had increased sebum production at presentation. Patients underwent a single session of microbotox, which included multiple injections into the upper dermis at 1.0 cm apart.
A 1 ml syringe of the microbotox solution contained 20 units of botulinum toxin A per mL of solution and was designed to deliver 100 injections. Nearly all patients required only 1 mL syringe for their session.
A cell phone camera was used to perform photographic assessments at baseline and every week for 1 month following treatment. Blinded dermatologists graded the degree of clinical improvement in facial pore sizes using the 0 to 4 Quartile improvement scale. Dermoscopic examination was used to confirm these improvements. In addition, the 1 to 5 Likert satisfaction scale was used to measure patient satisfaction. Patient follow-up was conducted every 3 months for 1 year after treatment.
The total overall mean improvement in pore size following a single microbotox treatment session was 87.2%. The mean improvement in pore size, based on the Quartile improvement scale, was 3.7. A total of 33 patients also experienced decreased sebum production and skin texture improvements, based on patient history and clinical and dermoscopic examination.
At the end of therapy, the mean patient satisfaction score was 4.7, suggesting patients were mostly satisfied and very satisfied with therapy. No serious or long-term adverse events were observed.
Limitations of the study were the small sample size and the lack of a control group or comparative treatment arm.
The researchers wrote that “microbotox treatment is a simple, nonsurgical treatment with low risks and no downtime,” yet the treatment “usually lasts for about 6 months and needs to be repeated when necessary to maintain the desired effect.”
Reference
Ahmed El Attar Y, Nofal A. Microbotox for the treatment of wide facial pores: A promising therapeutic approach. Published online August 16, 2020. J Cosmet Dermatol. doi:10.1111/jocd.13675
