Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41508559›Full record

SynthesisJournal of cosmetic dermatology2026

Cosmetic Botulinum Toxin A Injections to the Upper Face: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Studies.

Alaa Safia, Uday Abd Elhadi, Shlomo Merchavy, Ramzy Batheesh, Naji Bathish

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–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 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
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

5 authors.

Alaa SafiaDepartment of Otolaryngology, Ziv Medical Center, Safed, Israel.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9574-8729
Uday Abd ElhadiDepartment of Otolaryngology, Ziv Medical Center, Safed, Israel.
Shlomo MerchavyDepartment of Otolaryngology, Ziv Medical Center, Safed, Israel.
Ramzy BatheeshDepartment of Dermatology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel.
Naji BathishDepartment of Dermatology, Ziv Medical Center, Safed, Israel.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBotulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) is widely recognized as the leading nonsurgical cosmetic treatment worldwide for diminishing dynamic wrinkles in the glabellar, forehead, and periorbital areas. While BoNT-A is widely acknowledged for its effectiveness and popularity, there are notable inconsistencies in results, methodologies, and safety reporting across clinical studies, highlighting the necessity for the careful development of strong, evidence-driven guidelines.

objectivesThis study aimed to compile and evaluate data from clinical research focusing on upper-face BoNT-A injections, specifically regarding safety outcomes, effectiveness, patient satisfaction, and response rates. This investigation concentrated on the outcomes of the clinical trials conducted.

methodsThis analysis includes prospective cohorts, randomized controlled trials, and observational studies that report on BoNT-A cosmetic treatments specifically in the upper face area. A thorough examination of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science studies was conducted, covering literature up to May 2025. The assessment included response rates, levels of patient satisfaction, and the extent of wrinkle reduction. The analysis employed a random-effects model to produce combined estimates, followed by an assessment of heterogeneity utilizing τ

resultsAfter the administration of BoNT-A therapy, a notable decrease in the severity ratings of wrinkles was observed, as indicated by the synthesis of ten clinical trials examining this aspect (Cohen's d = 1.93; 95% CI: 1.60-2.25; p = 0.001). However, the data also revealed a considerable degree of variability (I

conclusionsBoNT-A injections contribute to a decrease in wrinkle severity and improve clinical results for rejuvenating the upper face. Research indicates notable variability and susceptibility to bias regarding patient satisfaction and response rates. The findings emphasize the necessity for subgroup analyses, enhanced reporting methodologies, and uniform outcome evaluations to identify factors contributing to variability in responses to BoNT-A therapy.

trial registrationThis study was conducted in accordance with PROSPERO guidelines.

Indexed as

Botulinum Toxins, Type ACosmetic TechniquesNeuromuscular AgentsSkin AgingFaceForeheadHumansObservational Studies as TopicPatient SatisfactionRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicTreatment OutcomeBotulinum Toxins, Type ANeuromuscular AgentsBoNT‐A injectionscosmetic injectionsheterogeneitypatient's satisfactionpublication biasresponse rateupper face aesthetics BoNT‐A therapywrinkle severity scale

Identifiers

PMID41508559
PMCPMC12783872

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

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.