Abstract

Botulinum Toxin Type A (BoNT/A) is a cornerstone of modern aesthetic and therapeutic medicine, used in millions of procedures worldwide each year. By inducing temporary chemo denervation, BoNT/A offers benefits in conditions ranging from dystonias and spasticity to hyperhidrosis and cosmetic applications. Despite its favorable safety profile, a subset of patients experiences adverse effects such as eyelid ptosis, asymmetry, diplopia, or excessive local paralysis. These complications, although reversible, can persist for weeks or even months, significantly impairing quality of life and patient satisfaction. Currently, there are no standardized therapeutic interventions to actively accelerate recovery, and management is typically conservative, relying on the natural decline of BoNT/A enzymatic activity and neuromuscular plasticity. Photobiomodulation (PBM), a non-invasive modality that applies red or near-infrared light to stimulate cellular metabolism and tissue repair, has emerged as a potential supportive strategy. PBM is known to enhance mitochondrial function, upregulate neurotrophic factors, and promote synaptic remodelingmechanisms directly relevant to recovery from BoNT/A-induced synaptic blockade. Preclinical studies in models of nerve injury and neurodegeneration, as well as anecdotal clinical observations, provide indirect support for its application. However, no controlled clinical trial has yet evaluated PBM specifically in BoNT/A complications. This mini review expands on the biological rationale, experimental evidence, and translational perspectives for PBM in this setting, building upon recent work published in Life [1]. We argue that PBM may represent a biologically plausible, time-dependent, and clinically valuable intervention deserving of systematic investigation.

Keywords:Botulinum toxin; Photobiomodulation; Neuromuscular recovery; Synaptic regeneration; Aesthetic complications; Neuroplasticity