ATX-104 Light Activated Dermal Filler Under Review

Today’s most popular dermal fillers include Restylane, Juvederm and Botox, and hyaluronic acid fillers ar frequently used to correct wrinkles and fine lines, reshape and contour the face, and to create a more youthful appearance. Researchers are now reviewing an innovative dermal filler called ATX-104.

Unlike regular injectables that are simply injected into the skin to produce immediate results, the ATX-104 works only after it comes into contact with an external light source. After it is injected, the filler is shaped and polymerized transdermally with the help of external light.

The ATX-104 filler is based on KYTHERA’s proprietary photochemistry platform and has been developed at Johns Hopkins University. Scientists are studying the effects of the light reaction, and working on ways to optimize the filler so that it can create dramatic results and be used to reshape the face.

Different types of injectable fillers can produce different results based on the strength of the filler, and the person’s existing skin conditions. Hyaluronic acid fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane are commonly used to reshape the face, fill out wrinkles and lines around the mouth and nose, and to correct sagging skin. Botox is most commonly used to correct deep wrinkles on the forehead, but also has other uses including treating headaches and migraines, or stopping sweating.

So far, the ATX-104 system has been able to produce better results than many of the fillers that are readily available. It is still undergoing testing, and Kythera Biopharmaceuticals has announced that the first in-human trial of the light-activated filler was successful.

Kythera Biopharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company based out of California, and was started by former employees of Amgen. It has about $40 million in funding, and is working on the ATX-104 system, along with three other products designed specifically for the aesthetic market.

American Society of Dermatologic Surgery Investigates Aquamid Fillers

The results of a recent study investigating the injectable Aquamid were revealed at The American Society of Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) 2009 meeting.

Aquamid is an injectable filler designed to treat fine lines and wrinkles, and is made with 2.5% polyacrylamide hydrogel and, according to the results of the study, is as well tolerated as hyaluronic acid fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm.

Rhoda Narins, MD, Clinical Professor of Dermatology of the New York University School of Medicine in New York City and Director of the Dermatology Surgery and Laser Center of New York reports that, “our results demonstrate that polyacrylamide hydrogel shows strong potential as a permanent soft tissue filler.” The ingredients in Aquamid are non-biodegradable, which means this particular filler cannot migrate. The compound is also expected to last longer than traditional hyaluronic fillers, which may be a cost benefit to consumers.

Aquamid is marketed as a soft volume filler to enhance facial contours, fill out nasolabial folds, smooth out wrinkles and folds in the cheeks and lips, and can also be used to reshape the nose. The filler boasts natural-looking results and lasting satisfaction. In long-term clinical trials, physicians judged the aesthetic results at one, two and four year intervals, and found that results were still good or very good for more than 90% of patients at each interval.

Data after five years shows that patients were either very satisfied or satisfied with results during the follow-up session, and the filler produced similar aesthetic results. The filler is designed to completely integrate with the body’s tissues, which means there is no risk of an allergic reaction to the micro-particles present in the compound. Aquamid is also not linked to tissue hardening or fibrosis.

Efficacy of Aquamid was maintained through the 12-month post follow up treatment for the filler, and showed a significant improvement in results in treatment groups.

American Institute for Plastic Surgery Uses Artefill for Wrinkle Reduction

Artefill is among the leading injectable fillers used in the United States because it delivers instant, natural-looking results and can be used on almost all skin types.

The American Institute for Plastic Surgery, a well-known plastic surgery center in the Dallas metro area, is using Artefill for many of its patients that want to fight wrinkles. A recent article in Medical News Today reports that Artefill is only available at a select number of physicians’ offices, and that the American Institute of Plastic Surgery is using it this filler to help treat smile lines, deep wrinkles and other signs of aging.

Dr. Raphael of the American Institute for Plastic Surgery made this statement about using Artefill at his practice: “As surgeons, we are drawn to products that offer long-term solutions and Artefill fills this need for our patients that want a lasting solution for wrinkle correction. We find Artefill offers enormous value as it lasts longer than any other filler on the market today.”

Artefill is the first and only FDA-approved collagen filler made with microspheres, and works by not only augmenting the treated area, but also stimulating collagen production in the skin tissue so that wrinkles and fine lines become less noticeable over time. Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers on the market, Artefill lasts for more than a few months and takes only about fifteen minutes per injection. The microspheres are not absorbed by the body, so the skin remains supported for several weeks and months after the treatment.

Anyone interested in getting Artefill injections will need to undergo a skin allergy test to make sure they are not allergic to the collagen compounds in Artefill. Once approved, they can undergo as many treatments deemed necessary to achieve their youthful appearance. More information about Artefill can be found here.

Australian Doctors Host Botox Parties to Stimulate Business

While many people are steering clear of cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures during the economic recession, others are looking for innovative ways to combat the signs of aging and achieve a more youthful look without paying a premium price. According to a recent article in Australia’s Herald Sun, Tupperware-style Botox parties are becoming a popular social trend throughout Melbourne and other cities in Australia.

Women are getting together for champagne, gossip, and a Botox jab in a fun social setting, and the events are often hosted by leading physicians. Botox has become increasingly popular in Melbourne in recent months because of a celebrity endorsement by Dancing with the Stars host Sonia Kruger. Women between the ages of 20 and 50 are heading off to a Botox party to get their fix, and bring a group of friends along to enjoy a treatment as well.

Critics of this growing trend say that patients should not be given Botox injections in this type of environment, and that all patients need to meet certain criteria to ensure they truly are good patients for this type of procedure. Some people are not psychologically ready for cosmetic changes, and their level of readiness can only be determined by a doctor who meets with them in a private, one-on-one setting. Botox parties may be responsible for fueling a ‘Botox addiction’ where the patient feels they need to keep getting injections just to feel better about themselves. For others, this type of themed event is just another social outlet.

Botox parties are also prevalent throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. However, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons warns that these events may not always be safe, and that prospective patients should take the time to do some research about the doctor and event operator before they sit down for their injection.

UK Researchers Report on Complications of Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers continue to be some of the most sought-after procedures for men and women who want to get rid of wrinkles without surgery, and are becoming an in-demand procedure for many who want to side-step the effects of the recession and achieve results with an affordable makeover. However, a recent report for the UK suggests that many people experience a variety of complications with permanent cosmetic fillers than with any other types of cosmetic injections on the market.

According to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (BAAPS), 38.5% of surgeons who saw 1 to 3 patients over the past year experienced significant complications with permanent facial fillers, and 23% of surgeons who saw 1 to 3 patients in the past year had complications so severe that surgery was needed to make the corrections.  (Source: MedicalNewsToday.com)

Doctors in the United States encourage patients to make sure that the person who will be administering the injections has years of experience and is licensed to perform the procedure. Cosmetic injections such as Botox, Juvederm, Restylane and other fillers are now readily available at medical spas, and even some day spas, around the country. However, inexperience often leads to many of the complications that first-time patients experience.

Dr. Julies Few, a plastic surgeon in Chicago, also points out that the challenge of getting a permanent filler is that the outcome can begin to change as the rest of the body and face ages over time. The only permanent filler with a proven safety record is fat injections, especially if the fat is from the patient’s own body.

Still, non-permanent fillers such as Restylane, Radiesse, Cosmoderm, Evolence and Juvederm had very few complications, and many believe this is because the results do diminish over time. Consumers need to be aware of the potential dangers of synthetic dermal fillers, and make sure that they are not getting their injections from an unqualified practitioner.

Woman Dies After Facial Fat Injection Treatment

Facial fillers are among the most sought-after procedures, and have recently become an in-demand procedure given the state of the economy. Cosmetic surgeons typically turn to hyaluronic acid fillers to plump up fine lines and wrinkles, and create a more youthful appearance, but some prefer to use collagen.

Injecting a patient’s own fat into other parts of the body is less common, but is still a practice undertaken by cosmetic surgeons around the globe. However, this procedure poses several risks and may even lead to death.

Rachel Soanes of Norwich, England died recently after having fat injected into her face to correct the effects of lupus. The fat from the injection migrated to her lungs, and she fell ill shortly after her procedure. She complained of dizziness and nausea, and reportedly could not breathe properly.

Miss Soanes had received the same procedure twice before with no complications and side effects, and her death came as a complete shock to the doctors that treated her, and her family.

In this case, the fat injections were not for cosmetic purposes, but primarily for replacing the fat she had lost as the result of her disease. The fat was extracted from her buttocks and injected into several facial compartments so that her face would appear more balanced. Unfortunately, this procedure had a tragic ending.

The coroner’s report indicates that Miss Soanes died of ‘fat tissue embolism’, a condition where the fat injected into a vein travels to the lungs and then causes an artery blockage. Respiratory failure is what caused her death, and there was nothing that could be done to get the fat out of her lungs after she began feeling the effects of a lack of oxygen.

This has been the first ever documented case of death after a fat injection.

Experts Say Liquid Facelift Alone Won’t Create Youthful Look

The Liquid Facelift has become a popular procedure in the midst of the economic downturn because it is usually priced much lower than conventional facelift surgery, and offers instant results.

Many people who want to get rid of fine lines and wrinkles and achieve a more youthful look can enjoy significant result with a series of dermal fillers injected into various compartments of the face. Many surgeons today use a combination of Restylane, Juvederm, Botox and Hylaform to create a sculpted, toned and rejuvenated appearance.

However, some doctors believe that fillers alone cannot restore volume as effectively as surgery, and that patients will receive the best results with a combination of light surgery and filler treatments. According to Dr. James Zins, department chair of the Department of Plastic Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic, “In a ‘liquid facelift’, there is no lifting of the tissue – this term is inaccurate and we have to be careful about misconstruing and giving the patient false, misleading information.”

Even though some injectable fillers have the power to increase collagen production and improve the skin’s appearance naturally, others only fill up the cheeks and tissues temporarily, so more sagging may occur when the filler disappears. Since fat atrophy and poor skin texture are to blame for wrinkles and fine lines, some surgeons believe that injectables alone aren’t enough. Skin tightening treatments such as Thermage, and procedures like the Threadlift that involve inserting sutures into the face to tighten the skin naturally may be a better solution for many.

Does this mean the liquid facelift is ineffective? That depends. Age, genetic makeup and the overall condition of the skin all play a role in what the outcome will be, and results vary significantly for each person. A patient must have a consultation with a cosmetic surgeon or anti aging specialist to determine if their skin will be able to tolerate various types of fillers, and whether facelift surgery may be the only viable treatment option for them.

(Source and Photo Credit: ModernMedicine.com)

Study Shows Patients Not Afraid to Admit to Dermal Filler Treatments

Going to the plastic surgeon’s office or medical spa was once considered a taboo subject, and only some people would readily disclose the facts and details about their visits to friends and family. However, times have changed, especially when it comes to minimally-invasive procedures such as Botox and dermal fillers.

A survey conducted by the Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation shows that of 687 patients who received Botox Cosmetic or hyaluronic acid dermal fillers such as Juvederm, Perlane, Evolence, Restylane, Prevelle Silk, Captique or Hylaform, 87% say they had confided in close friends or family members about the procedure.

More than 70% of those who said they shared the details about their dermal filler treatment found that friends and family members had been supportive about their decision, while the remaining 12% received a more critical response.

Botox continues to be the most sought-after minimally invasive procedure in the United States, and millions of injections are administered by licensed doctors and medical aestheticians every year.

Dermal fillers such as Juvederm, Restylane and Evolence are now used in ‘liquid’ facelift procedures where the surgeon can target certain areas of the face to create a lifted appearance. Some fillers are also used for lip augmentation, and to reduce deep wrinkles in the forehead. These fillers do have some mild side effects in some people, but all must be administered by a licensed professional in order to avoid migration of the compounds, and to ensure that the injection site does not become infected.

Dermal fillers are a convenient, and even affordable option for many people looking for a quick and effective anti-aging fix. Most people who want to maintain results must receive touch-up treatments at least every four to six months. Results are immediate, so in most cases, friends and family members are bound to notice that something has been done.

Mom Gives Teenage Daughter Botox as Birthday Present

Botox continues to be one of the most sought-after procedures for men and women approaching middle age or their senior years, but now it’s not uncommon for younger age groups to jump onto the Botox bandwagon.

As more women deal with self-image issues and low self-esteem during their teen and early adulthood years, cosmetic surgery is becoming a viable solution for ‘fixing’ their problems. Many resort to breast implants, liposuction, and even Botox to help them achieve their ideal figure and enhance their looks.

Margaret King, mother of an 18-year old daughter, seems to be okay with the trend. Ms. King recently brought her daughter Botox as a birthday present. She says that her daughter had been saying her friends looked like they had very smooth faces, and that her forehead appeared wrinkled in comparison. Her mother promptly purchased the gift of Botox for her daughter’s 18^th birthday. In doing so, many people are left wondering, should there be a higher minimum age for Botox and similar treatments?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Botox for use on anyone between the ages of 18 and 64, but anyone younger than 25 years of age may need to seriously consider whether they truly need the treatment. While Botox has been deemed safe, there are still several risks involved. In addition, getting a Botox treatment other cosmetic treatment at such a young age may be a sign that the young woman is suffering from low self-esteem, or that they are trying to fix a problem that is not really there.

Many teens and young adults have experienced adverse side effects from cosmetic procedures such as breast implants and liposuction, and side effects can appear later in their adult lives. There are inherent risks involved with even seemingly safe treatments such as Botox, and the verdict is still out on whether it is a healthy choice emotionally and physically for the average teen.

(Photo courtesy of RealSelf.com)

Forbes Reports on Latest Options in Dermal Fillers

Now that Botox has a new contender on the market, many people are considering alternatives to the standard Botox treatment to get rid of fine lines and wrinkles. Dysport is the newest injectable that promises to zap away the signs of aging and create a more youthful appearance, and there are several other options in anti-aging.

Forbes.com recently reported on seven of the most popular FDA-approved treatments on the market. Here’s a rundown of their findings:

1. Restylane – an injectable that has been injected over 10 million times since its introduction in 2004, Restylane has become a popular choice for many people ready to stop the clock without getting a facelift.

2. Perlane – this injectable made its way to the U.S. market in 2007, and is designed primarily for treating deeper wrinkles. Most people do not need touch up treatments of Perlane for about six months.

3. Radiesse – this thick compound is made with the same materials as bones and teeth, and reportedly stimulates collagen production. This helps create a more youthful, contoured appearance.

4. Evolence – one of the newer injectables on the market, Evolence is made with pig collagen, and helps create plumper cheeks and lips, and a more youthful appearance.

5. Prevelle Silk – this gel filler is made with hyularonic acid, and is commonly used for lip augmentation treatments.

6. Juvederm – Like Perlane, this filler is designed for deeper wrinkles and to create more contours on the face.  It is often used as part of a ‘liquid facelift’ treatment.

7. Dysport – the newest filler on the market, this injectable is similar in chemical structure to Botox and is designed to get rid of wrinkles on the forehead, and tighten up sagging skin around the cheekbones and jaw. The injectable is now available in the United States.

(Source: Forbes.com)