Three innovative non-invasive cosmetic therapies that may become available soon
The past few years have seen an explosion of new non-invasive therapies for repairing and rejuvenating the skin. More are in the pipeline—and may become available very soon.
I spoke about several of these up-and-coming therapies earlier this month in a keynote address I gave at an international meeting for dermatologists and plastic surgeons in Madrid, Spain. I began by talking about two companies that are working on alternative methods to reduce facial lines around the eyes and forehead.
One company, Revance Therapeutics, is developing a process that will change the way botulinum toxin (BT) medications like Botox and Dysport are delivered. They’ve found a way to dose medications through the skin—in other words, without injections. Early studies have shown excellent reduction in the lines around the eyes with a simple topical application of BT lasting several months. Ongoing research is being done to determine the duration of this effect.
Myoscience is the second company looking for a way to get the “Botox effect” without Botox. They’re using cryotherapy, or cold, to temporarily reduce the nerves that contract the muscles that cause wrinkles in the forehead and around the eyes. No drugs. They’re into their clinical trials, and have shown an immediate positive effect after a single treatment lasting for several months.
While both of these therapies show excellent initial results, it may be several months before either treatment receives FDA approval.
I also spoke in my keynote address about the efforts of Kythera to reduce small pockets of fat, especially fat in the double chin. Kythera has been working on standardizing a method wherein a fat-dissolving agent is injected directly into the fat of the double chin. They’ve shown excellent results with a series of four monthly injections. Look for this, too, to be approved within the next few years.
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