One of the most successful products to hit the aesthetic market, BOTOX has made "getting some work done" a common household thing. No longer just for the rich and famous, looking fabulous is now attainable for every housewife and not just those of the O.C. ilk either. So successful was BOTOX that several competitors have emerged for treatment of wrinkles and lines: Dysport and now Xeomin, scheduled to be available in the U.S. in spring of 2012.
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BOTOX, Dysport and now Xeomin are all derived from botulinum toxin type A and work similarly. Through injection, the toxin relaxes muscles that cause frown lines (glabellar lines) and skin above smooths out. XEOMIN, created by Merz Aesthetics, recently gained FDA approval for cosmetic use and is the only botulinum toxin in the U.S. that does not require refrigeration prior to reconstitution.
Although the market already has several neuromodulators like Botox and Dysport, if a new product is more efficacious, has fewer risks, or is more economical, then we must be open-minded about its use
- Dr. Janee Steinberg
Many physicians have been eagerly anticipating the approval of Xeomin for cosmetic use. According to Dr. Heidi Waldorf, dermatologist and Director of Laser and Cosmetic Dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, the approval of another injectable means more options for her patients. "The nice thing is we'll have yet another injectable and we can figure out as time goes by, and as we use it with more patients, who is the best patient for which option," states Dr. Waldorf, "As a cosmetic dermatologist, one of the best things for me is to have more in my tool box, so that when a patient comes in I can tailor treatment to the patient's needs."
According to Boca Raton dermatologist Dr. Janee Steinberg, "It is amazing how fast new products are approved and it is important for pharmaceutical companies to continue with their research enabling us to have new products for medical and cosmetic use," she continues, "Although the market already has several neuromodulators like Botox and Dysport, if a new product is more efficacious, has fewer risks, or is more economical, then we must be open-minded about its use."
Dr. Steinberg says she looks forward to trying Xeomin when it is available to compare the results, the costs, and the efficacy.
Another botulinum toxin injectable currently under FDA evaluation is PurTox from the Mentor Corporation. The drug has recently finished phase 3C FDA trials with favorable results for the reduction of glabellar rhytides or the frown lines between the eyebrows. However, it will not be available in the U.S. until late 2012.
