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Revance Develops Needle Free Botox® ®-like Product

Are you interested in softening your wrinkles but can’t stand the thought of needles? Revance Therapeutics is currently developing a topically applied botulinum toxin type A, which may provide a painless alternative to Botox® ® and Dysport®

The new product, if approved by the FDA, works by “pulling” the large neurotoxin molecules through the skin by attracting them to a lysine chain. As the molecules are pulled through, they act the same way Botox® does: by disabling the nerve impulses that cause muscles to contract in a way that creates wrinkles. So far, the gel has been successful in reducing the appearance of crow’s feet in the trial’s subjects.

As always, Dr. Zimmet recommends not using a product until it is approved for use by the FDA. Until the topical gel is authorized, Botox® or Dysport administered through a needle are peer-reviewed and FDA-approved methods of rejuvenating skin.

New FDA Approved Drug Treats Late Stage Melanoma

Melanoma, the fastest-growing cancer in the United States, affects over 68,000 Americans. In 2010 alone, almost 9000 Americans died from melanoma. Though it is easily treatable when detected early, after melanoma spreads, survival rates drop drastically. Fortunately, the FDA recently approved a new drug to target-treat metastatic melanoma cells. The medication is a huge step forward in oncology and could significantly improve metastatic melanoma survival rates.

Approval for the new drug, Zelboraf, was based on a clinical study involving about 700 patients with late-stage melanoma. In the study, 77% of the patients survived after 8 months, compared to 64% of patients who underwent standard chemotherapy. Furthermore, Zelboraf’s side effects appear to be less harsh than chemotherapy’s, because Zelboraf specifically targets and genes that are unique to skin cancer tumors. Zelboraf is approved for inoperable or late-stage melanoma that tests positive for BRAF gene mutation.

The FDA’s approval of Zelboraf and the study’s results are encouraging indicators that the drug can both extend the lifespan and improve the quality of life of individuals with late-stage melanoma. However, prevention remains the most important tactic to fend off against skin cancer. Avoid sun damage and especially sun burns by wearing sunscreen and protective clothing while outdoors, and by limiting your total outdoor exposure. Also, try to do your outdoor activities before 10 AM and after 4 PM. Be sure to have regular check-ups with your dermatologist regarding any sun damage or irregular moles.

Pairing 3DEEP with Platelet Rich Plasma Maximizes Results

Remember our post about “Vampire Face Lifts”? This new procedure involves taking a small sample of the patient’s blood and spinning it in a centrufage to produce platelet-rich plasma, which is made up of protein growth factors instrumental in wound healing. When the platelet-rich plasma is injected into skin, boosting the production of collagen leading to thicker and less saggy skin.

After careful research, Dr. Zimmet has decided to offer a cutting-edge dual treatment combination: BioEssence Therapy. The procedure utilizes both ENDYMED™ 3DEEP radio frequency technology as well as platelet-rich plasma to rejuvenate sun-damaged skin.

The procedure combines the plasma procedure with ENDYMED™ 3DEEP technology, which uses radio frequency to heat the skin’s dermis. The waves promote tightening of collagen bundles and generation of new collagen. Following 3DEEP, Dr. Zimmet injects the platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, to boost tissue remodeling and regeneration.

If you’ve been looking for an effective way to smooth skin and reduce wrinkles, contact Dr. Zimmet today and ask about BioEssence Therapy!

New Wrinkle Treatment Approved for 2012: Xeomin

A new alternative to Botox® and Dysport will be showing up in dermatologists’ offices soon, as the FDA recently approved the use of Xeomin. Xeomin is an injection that, like Botox® , consists of the botulinum toxin. After two separate trials testing the drug or a placebo on over 500 participants, the FDA decided that Xeomin was a safe, effective temporary treatment for forehead wrinkles.

Though Xeomin injections are new to the US, they have been approved and used in several European countries. There are only minor distinctions between the new product and Botox® : for example, Xeomin doesn’t require refrigeration. Also, Xeomin lacks a protein coating that Botox® has. A small number of patients develop antibodies to the protein, so for those individuals, Xeomin will be a more effective treatment.

The effect that Xeomin will have on Botox® and Dysport remains to be seen. Since Botox® is a more trusted name in cosmetic dermatology, Xeomin will have to prove itself as an inexpensive, effective, and long-lasting treatment. To discuss cosmetic dermatology options, contact Dr. Zimmet today.

Take 15 Minutes to Improve Your Health

We all hear about the benefits of regular exercise, but often, busy schedules get in the way of making it to the gym for an hour. However, there’s good news for people who can’t spare more than 15 minutes of their day. New research has revealed that even small bouts of exercise can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease.

Though the official government guidelines suggest two and a half hours of exercise a week, a study by the American Heart Association claims that research participants who went from not exercising to exercising for 15 minutes a day saw huge health benefits. The study noted that, while more exercise may be needed to reach a healthy weight, a short, daily workout could drastically reduce the risk of heart disease.

Regular exercise has a plethora of health benefits, and many of them are “skin deep.” For example, exercise has been shown to flush out toxins from your body, giving your skin a brighter glow. It also reduces cortisol levels, a hormone that causes stress and can lead to early aging. Don’t be afraid to try a new sport, activity, or exercise class to get yourself moving, but make sure to apply sunscreen if you’re going to be outdoors.

Botox® May Treat Vulvodynia

Botox® has been used off-label to treat several non-cosmetic medical issues, migraines being the most popular. And now, evidence is piling up that it could be used to treat another type of chronic pain: vulvodynia, or sexual pain in women.

Vulvodynia affects about 16 percent of women. It is characterized by chronic pain in the genital region brought on by sex or tampon insertion. Because so little is known about vulvodynia, it is generally diagnosed by exclusion; that is, it is usually the diagnosis made for specific genital pain that isn’t otherwise diagnosed by a blood test, biopsy, or STI screening.

Though Botox® hasn’t been proven to work for every woman suffering from vulvodynia, several patients of renowned dermatologists have found that it eases–and in some cases, eliminates–the pain. The cause is unknown, but experts guess that the Botox® injection blocks the nerve endings from transmitting pain signals, in the same way Botox® typically blocks neurotransmitters from traveling across nerves to facial muscles.

Though Botox® is not an FDA-approved treatment for vulvodynia yet, it is clear that it relieves genital pain in some women. If you’re interested in using Botox® to relieve non-cosmetic pain, contact Dr. Zimmet to schedule an appointment.

Location

Austin, Texas

1500 W. 34th Street
Austin, TX 78703

512.485.7700