Better than Botox

When it comes to fighting wrinkles, the botulinum toxin injection, widely known as Botox, is the most-performed non-surgical dermatologic procedure. It is used as a temporary treatment to smooth moderate to severe crow’s feet, forehead furrows and the lines between the eyebrows in adults. The treatment involves the injection of very small amounts of botulinum toxin into the underlying muscles to relax them and prevent contraction.
If the muscles do not contract, then they won’t be able to pull the overlying skin into creases and existing wrinkles are smoothed out. Results can be noticed within a week and typically last about six months, though this can vary from individual to individual.
According to the Plastic Surgery Statistic Report, 6.3 million Americans had the botulinum toxin injections in 2013 and this number increased by four per cent in 2014, providing proof, if it were needed, that the botulinum toxin injection is now the world’s most popular wrinkles treatment.
But that’s all about to change! There will soon be an alternative!
Coming soon is RT 001, which sounds like a droid from Star Wars but is actually a topical botulinum toxin type A formulated with a sophisticated delivery system that enables a transdermal transfer of the toxin. It’s applied directly to the skin on the areas you want to treat for wrinkles.
What if you could dab on botulinum toxin just like a moisturiser, and it worked just like an injection? No needle required.
While that sounds very attractive, it will however likely be something applied in the medical office by a physician, rather than used at home.
The needle-free, topical botulinum toxin is still undergoing clinical trials, so how soon can it move from laboratories to us?
The company that makes the topical believes the product will be available for use as soon as 2016 in the USA. However, only the FDA can decide if we’re ready for “miracle in a bottle” and its approval is extremely unpredictable.

THANISORN THAMLIKITKUL MD is a member of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery and certified in dermatological laser surgery. Send your questions for her to [email protected]