Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40464640›Full record

ArticleJournal of cosmetic dermatology2025

The Overlooked Sad Face Expression: Understanding the Omega Sign in Botulinum Toxin Treatment.

Cristina Muñoz-Gonzalez, Juan Martin Zarate, Nabil Fakih-Gomez

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Cristina Muñoz-GonzalezDepartment of Facial Plastic and Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Fakih Hospital, Khaizaran, Lebanon.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5852-6476
Juan Martin ZarateDepartment of Facial Plastic and Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Fakih Hospital, Khaizaran, Lebanon.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2163-0987
Nabil Fakih-GomezDepartment of Facial Plastic and Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Fakih Hospital, Khaizaran, Lebanon.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4464-8258

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionBotulinum toxin injections are a popular cosmetic treatment for smoothing wrinkles. Recent trends emphasize not just wrinkle reduction but also the correction of facial expressions that convey emotions. Among these, the sad face expression, associated with the omega pattern, is often overlooked despite its significant role in emotional expression.

methodsThis study explored the anatomy and muscle activity related to the sad face expression, focusing on the occipitofrontalis, corrugator supercilii, depressor supercilii, procerus, and orbicularis oculi muscles. A new classification system was developed to categorize this expression based on patient control and muscle strength.

resultsThe study found that the omega pattern is produced by the interaction of specific facial muscles, with three types of patient muscle control identified: automatic, controllable, and uncontrollable gestures. The visibility of the sad face expression varies among individuals due to differences in muscle strength and control.

conclusionIncorporating the assessment of the sad face expression into pretreatment evaluations can enhance the effectiveness of botulinum toxin treatments by addressing both aesthetic and emotional aspects of facial expressions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V.

Indexed as

Botulinum Toxins, Type ACosmetic TechniquesFacial ExpressionFacial MusclesNeuromuscular AgentsSkin AgingAdultEmotionsFemaleHumansInjections, IntramuscularMaleMiddle AgedMuscle StrengthBotulinum Toxins, Type ANeuromuscular Agentsbotulinum toxincorrugator supercilii muscleomega patternsad expressionsad face

Identifiers

PMID40464640
PMCPMC12135897

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.