ReviewJournal of cosmetic dermatology2025
A Psychological Guide to Upper Face Botulinum Toxin Injections: Baseline Emotional Functions of Facial Expressions.
Review 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 6 papers.
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.
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.
Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed.
- Is Ready-To-Use AbobotulinumtoxinA More Effective Than OnabotulinumtoxinA for Glabellar Lines? A Randomized, Controlled, Triple-Blinded Clinical Trial.Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2026Trial
- Botulinum Toxin A Myths, Evidence, and Global Media Narratives.Aesthetic plastic surgery · 2026Review
- Review
- Influence of Preoperative Cognitive Function, Self-Efficacy, and Postoperative Psychological Counselling on Anxiety and Depression Levels in Patients Undergoing Botulinum Toxin Injections.Actas espanolas de psiquiatria · 2026Article
- A Psychological Guide to Lower Face Botulinum Toxin Injections: Baseline Emotional Functions of Facial Expressions.Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2026Review
- A Psychological Guide to Upper Face Botulinum Toxin Injections: Baseline Emotional Functions of Facial Expressions.Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2025Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe upper face is central to human nonverbal communication, with the glabellar complex, forehead, and lateral canthal area signaling core emotions such as anger, sadness, fear, surprise, and joy. Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) is widely used to modulate muscle activity in these regions, not only reducing dynamic wrinkles but also affecting emotional expression and perception.
aimsThe aim of this narrative review is to synthesize psychological and neurobiological insights into a region-focused framework, helping clinicians incorporate emotional considerations into BoNT-A treatments of the upper face.
methodsA narrative literature review was conducted using PubMed and Scopus, combining the search terms "botulinum toxin", "facial expression", "emotion", "mimicry" and "psychology". Peer-reviewed articles addressing facial Action Units (AUs), neural mechanisms, or psychological outcomes were included. Citation tracking and the authors' clinical expertise further informed the synthesis.
resultsThe upper face is integral to various facial expressions, with each region contributing distinct signals relevant to intrapersonal experience and interpersonal communication. BoNT-A can alter these facial expressions, with potential benefits such as mood enhancement, but also possible limitations in conveying authenticity. While neuroimaging and behavioral findings support links between facial feedback and limbic activity, systematic data on region-specific psychological outcomes remains scarce.
conclusionsUnderstanding baseline emotional functions of facial expressions is crucial for clinicians, as these movements shape intrapersonal experience and interpersonal communication. Integrating this knowledge into counseling enables transparent, well-informed discussions before BoNT-A application. Future research should systematically evaluate expressive flexibility and patient-reported satisfaction with emotional communication.
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Registered trials
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.