Future May Hold Injectable for Double Chin Reduction

Is there a non-surgical treatment to get rid of the dreaded turkey neck? According to clinical trials, it appears that an injectable may be a future option for double chin reduction.

The injectable drug ATX-101 reduces the amount of fat that develops under the chin (also called submental fat).

KYTHERA Biopharmaceuticals, maker of ATX-101, reported that 80% of participants in the study saw a significant reduction of fat under their chins after the first two years of the five-year trial.

“Treatment results with ATX-101 appear to be sustained and well-tolerated, which illustrates its potential as a novel, non-surgical approach to reducing submental fat,” said Kevin C. Smith, a dermatologist in Canada and an investigator in the Phase 2A and long-term follow up studies.

ATX-101 is a formulation of deoxycholate, which is a natural compound that breaks down dietary fat. The procedure is done over several sessions, during which the patient gets around 50 small injections of the treatment into the chin area. The injections work to eliminate fat under the skin’s surface.

“While these results are still preliminary, they support our expectation that ATX-101 may result in a long-term aesthetic correction,” said KYTHERA’s chief medical officer Patricia Walker, MD, PhD. “We look forward to continuing to follow these patients and to further characterizing the long-term safety and efficacy profile of ATX-101.”

Surgical Options for Double Chin Reduction

ATX-101 needs FDA approval before it becomes an option for treating double chins. There are cosmetic surgical options for patients looking to reduce their double chins.

A lower facelift or neck lift targets the chin. During a lower facelift, the skin is lifted and removed as necessary to make the transition between the chin, neck and lower face more defined.

Neck liposuction is another surgical option for reducing a double chin and restoring definition to the lower face. Submental liposuction gets rid of the sagging, fatty tissue below the chin and is a less invasive option than a facelift.

Read more about the ATX-101 trials.

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Décolletage Rejuvenation Uses Botox to Smooth Cleavage Wrinkles

Botox is not just for the face anymore. ABC News in New York City reports it is being used to rejuvenate the chest area too.

As a woman ages, the skin between her neck and chest may become crepey and wrinkly. Some cosmetic surgeons are using Botox to battle cleavage wrinkles.

“If you look at princes and queen and gowns, they all try to highlight that area,” said cosmetic surgeon Dr. Misbah Khan of Sadick Dermatology in New York City, which offers décolletage rejuvenation.

Kathleen Clyne, 58, noticed she had creping in the chest area. “This was an opportunity for me to fix something I haven’t done in the past,” Clyne said.

Dr. Khan injected Dysport into Clyne’s chest and neck muscles — muscles that contract and cause wrinkles over time. A neurotoxin like Dysport or Botox paralyses the muscles and smoothes the wrinkles.

“The cleavage line becomes much sharper, it becomes much more defined and looks prettier because now we’re not seeing fine lines anymore,” Dr. Khan said.

The fine lines will disappear within about 24 hours after the injections, and the results will last between three and four months.

Linda McLaughlin also had the procedure after radiation treatments for breast cancer changed the texture of her skin.

She reported that her cleavage is smoother after the injections. “I just ordered a beautiful wedding dress for an upcoming wedding and it’s a boat neck line, with cap sleeves, I decided well, maybe I’ll change and get a low cut one, try it that way,” said McLaughlin.

For décolletage rejuvenation, most patients will need between 10 and 20 injections of Botox or Dysport. The injectables aren’t approved by the FDA to treat the chest area, but it is one of the many off-label uses for them.

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Beauty Secrets for Aging Gracefully Keep Gen-Xers Young

Thanks to new beauty products, lifestyles and attitudes, Generation X women are redefining middle age, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Gen X, the 46 million Americans born from 1965 to about 1979, is more than willing to spend money on anti-aging products and procedures. Gen-Xers rely on preventive anti-aging beauty regimens to a greater extent than boomers do, according to a marketing study on the generation for JWT, one of the largest advertising agencies in the United States.

Women of Gen X tend to look younger than their mothers and grandmothers did when they entered their 40s. This is thanks in part to less cigarette smoking, more sunscreen use and more knowledge about nutrition and the beauty industry.

Gen-Xers feel the need to look younger. A recent survey in Allure magazine found that 93 percent of female and 84 percent of male respondents said there is greater pressure to look younger today than ever before.

Here are some beauty “secrets” for aging gracefully that Gen X women are taking advantage of, according to the LA Times:

1. Better hair dyes and thickening products that keep hair full and fight the thinning that comes with age.
2. Advances in sunscreens and an increased awareness of the importance of protecting skin from the sun.
3. Makeup with luminizers that deflect the focus from wrinkles.
4. Advanced skin creams, such as those that speed up cell turnover or decrease the appearance of age spots.
5. At-home teeth-whitening kits and lip-plumping lipsticks.
6. An array of cosmetic procedures that reverse the signs of aging, including fillers and Botox.

Want to look and feel fabulous at 40? Schedule a consultation with a cosmetic surgeon to learn about the non-surgical and surgical cosmetic procedures available to help you look your best at middle age and beyond.

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How Do Cosmetic Skin Care Products Stack Up to Cosmetic Procedures?

Skin care products are more effective than ever, but they still can’t deliver the results of cosmetic surgery procedures, according to testing by Express.co.uk.

The website had a tester try several cosmetic surgery skin care products for reducing lines and wrinkles, firming skin and plumping lips. The results were not as good or as long-lasting as cosmetic surgery procedures.

For example, a cream that contained peptides to plump lips did instantly add volume. Dr. Michael Prager, a cosmetic surgeon in London, said that while the cream works as a quick fix and hydrates lips, is unlikely to be a long-term solution.

A dermal filler like Restylane, which was recently approved by the FDA for lip augmentation, is your best bet for fuller lips; results last about six months.

After using an anti-aging neck cream that contains a “tensing agent to give an instant lift to saggy skin” for a week, the tester reported that her skin looked smoother and less wrinkly. However, Dr. Prager said it would only work on minor problems and to remove loose skin from the neck, a neck lift is going to give patients the best results.

They also examined a product that claims to be a Botox cream. The tester reported that fine lines filled in and that while her skin felt dry, “the instant results are amazing.”

Dr. Prager believes the cream is filling lines with an ingredient such as collagen and probably has hydrating qualities. For longer-lasting results, Botox injections are the way to go.

Cosmetic surgery procedures produce better and longer-lasting results, but professional skin care products can help you maintain your look between procedures. Talk to your cosmetic surgeon about what products he or she recommends for you.

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