Get hands-on Botox® training in sunny Scottsdale, Arizona! The next Aesthetic Medicine Symposium runs September 5-8.

Home »Botox® Library » Does Botox® help acne?

Does Botox® help acne?

It turns out, Botox® has one particular effect that can make it helpful as an acne treatment — reducing oil production.

There are four key factors at play in the development of acne: Increased and altered sebum production; bacteria; abnormal skin cell proliferation and adhesion that leads to clogged pores; and inflammation.

Does Botox® help acne

Botox® can help but understanding the process will make it clear it’s not a magic bullet. By reducing oil production, Botox® targets one of the key contributors to acne, helping to minimize breakouts in some cases. However, since it doesn’t address other factors like bacteria or inflammation, Botox® should be seen as part of a broader acne treatment plan rather than a standalone solution.

Learn to Start a Profitable Aesthetics Practice in Just 4-Days!

June 6-9 (only 5 spots left!)

in sunny Scottsdale, AZ

Make More. Work Less.

Start your transitioning to aesthetic medicine and learn everything you need to grow a profitable aesthetics practice in just 4-days! 

September 5-8
Scottsdale, AZ

Only $4,195*
(Reg. $7,500. Save $3,605!)
Earn 33.5 CMEs

*Members preferred price for 4-day accelerated program. Save $3,605! Membership is only $295/yr and can be added during registration. Add a friend or team member and save $1,000 more on their 4-day registration!

Does Botox® help oily skin?

The majority of the current research on Botox® and acne shows that they work on the first of those four factors—sebum, or oil, production. Botox® blocks the release of a neurotransmitter known as acetylcholine, which binds to certain cells.

When Botox® injections are used to treat wrinkles, blocking acetylcholine ultimately prevents the muscles from contracting and forming those wrinkles. But our sebaceous glands also use acetylcholine in a number of different ways throughout the entire sebum production process.

In other words, excess sebum is a common cause of acne breakouts, but when Botox® is injected into the face, it helps reduce the amount of oil the skin produces.

The Fastest Way to Get Certified in Botox® & Aesthetic Medicine

On-Demand Training with the IAPAM Learning Lab

Sign up today and expand your knowledge & skills in Botox®, Fillers, Lasers,
Chemical Peels, Microdermabrasion and PRP for Aesthetics!

So is Botox® good for acne?

If your acne stems from excessively oily skin, Botox® could help reduce the severity by reducing sebum production. A more balanced, less oily complexion may be less likely to break out.

Botox® has been shown to decrease oil production, which, yes, definitely plays a role in acne formation, but its ability to actually clear up pimples remains more anecdotal than anything. Without further studies, Botox® for acne would remain an adjunctive treatment.

Related Articles

Does botox hurt?

Does Botox® hurt? What does it actually feel like?

​Botox® injections typically cause minimal discomfort, often described as a slight pinch or stinging sensation, comparable to a bug bite. To further minimize any discomfort, practitioners may use fine-gauge needles and can apply numbing cream to the treatment area before the procedure. ​

Read More »
No Botox® Experience Required. Gain the Confidence to Start Seeing Patients Right Away!
Attend the Aesthetic Medicine Symposium and learn everything you need to start practicing right away.

Attend the most comprehensive accredited AMA PRA CAT 1 CME Botox® training weekend, learn how to create a profitable practice with the top 5 most lucrative non-invasive treatments, get hands-on Botox® training in a multi-million dollar aesthetics practice and get trained in GLP-1 agonists and other medically-supervised weight loss treatments.

Hands-on Botox® Training for Physicians
September 5-8

Scottsdale, Arizona 

Save $3,605 when you become an IAPAM member and register to attend all 4-days!