Intradermal botulinum toxin type A for enlarged facial pores and sebum control: A focused narrative review with practical injection considerations
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66344/jpad.v36i3.3532Keywords:
Botulinum toxin type A, Intradermal injection, Enlarged facial pores, Sebum, SeborrheaAbstract
Enlarged facial pores and excessive sebum secretion are frequent cosmetic problems that affect skin quality and patient confidence. Although intradermal botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) has shown promising results for sebum control and pore improvement, current evidence remains heterogeneous in terms of dose, dilution, injection technique, and outcome assessment. The objective of the study is to review and summarize current clinical evidence and mechanistic findings on the efficacy and safety of intradermal BoNT-A in reducing excessive sebum secretion and improving enlarged facial pores. This narrative review was performed using PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Studies published from January 2000 through 31 December 2025 were examined, including randomized controlled trials, split-face studies, prospective cohorts, and mechanistic reports. Only English-language publications were included. According to the reviewed studies, intradermal BoNT-A consistently reduced sebum secretion by approximately 30–75% and improved visible pore size. Outcomes of treatment were typically seen within 1–2 weeks and lasted 2–4 months. Skin texture improvement and patient satisfaction were also reported. Following well-tolerated treatment, adverse effects were mild and transient, such as erythema, edema, and bruising, with rare cases of facial weakness. Intradermal BoNT-A could be a promising adjunctive treatment for excessive sebum secretion and enlarged facial pores. However, larger randomized studies with standardized treatment protocols and longer follow-up are recommended to confirm its long-term efficacy and safety profile.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Thadanath Sungtrakankul, Arisa Kaewkes, Therdpong Tempark, Suparuj Lueangarun
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