In the world of plastic surgery and cosmetic treatments, new treatment options are constantly being tested and brought to the market. Botox, for example, was a practically unheard of treatment in mainstream culture less than 15 years ago. Today, it’s one of the most popular anti-aging treatments out there. New products and treatments are introduced and approved by the FDA on a fairly regular basis. The injectables below were all recently approved by the FDA and are now available.
Kybella for A Double Chin
The neck area is often the first area to show signs of aging. The skin around the neck and chin can become loose and sagging, creating jowls, and extra fat in the area can create a double chin. Often, the best way to treat a double chin was to have a plastic surgeon perform neck liposuction, which would surgically remove the excess fat. If a patient was dealing with loose skin in the area, too, a surgeon might also perform a neck lift to create a smoother, tighter look.
Kybella, an injection that received approval from the FDA in 2015 for treating double chins, can reduce the need for liposuction in people who are worried about extra fat in the neck area. The main ingredient in the injectable is deoxycholic acid, a substance that is naturally produced by the body. Deoxycholic acid helps break down fat cells and helps the body reabsorb them.
The injectable was the subject of two clinical trials, each featuring more than 1,000 patients, before it received FDA approval for treating double chins. People who received injections of Kybella during the trials noticed a significant decrease in the fat under their chins, usually after about two to four treatments. Treatments are typically spaced about a month apart and feature up to 20 injections in the neck area.
As with all injectables, there are some side effects, which can be more severe if the substance isn’t administered by a trained medical professional.
Restylane Lyft for Cheeks
Restylane was one of the first hyaluronic acid fillers approved for treating lines and wrinkles on the face, particularly the nasolabial folds. It has also been used as a lip filler and to add volume elsewhere. A newer form of the filler, known as a Restylane Lyft, was recently approved by the FDA to add volume and to augment the cheeks or mid-face area. The injectable was also approved for treating the nasolabial folds, making it the only injectable available for both adding volume and treating wrinkles.
The injectable received FDA approval after a clinical trial that involved 200 patients. Nearly 89 percent of patients who received injections of Restylane Lyft had increased fullness in the left and right midface areas after two months. After 12 months, more than half of patients had continued improvement. Side effects from the injections included bruising, swelling and itching, most of which diminished after two weeks.
Radiesse for Hands
As a treatment for lines and wrinkles on the face, Radiesse has been around for a while. The injectable is made from calcium hydroxylapatite, a naturally occurring substance that is heavier than hyaluronic acid. The ingredient also works in a way that is different from the way hyaluronic acid works. It provides instant lift and volume when injected. But, it also keeps working, providing a structure for the development of collagen beneath the dermis. That means that the results from the injection last even after the substance has worn off.
Originally FDA approved for treating lines on the face, some plastic surgeons have also been using Radiesse to improve the look of people’s hands. The injectable was used to add volume to the tops of hands, reducing a veiny and boney look. After a randomized and controlled study of 114 patients, the FDA approved Radiesse for use in the hands, as well. At the three month mark, 98 percent of patients who had received Radiesse in their hands showed some improvement. Side effects from the injection included swelling, pain and redness, but were mild in most cases, and didn’t require additional treatment.
At the Bitar Cosmetic Surgery Institute located outside Washington, DC, board certified plastic surgeon Dr. George Bitar offers a variety of injectables to help minimize lines and wrinkles and treat other concerns. If you would like to learn more about your options when it comes to injections, call (703) 206-0506 to schedule a consultation today.
George Bitar, MD, FACS is an award-winning, board-certified cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgeon, the Founder and Medical Director of Bitar Cosmetic Surgery Institute in Virginia. He specializes in the latest surgical and minimally invasive techniques to scar management and reduction. Dr. Bitar is involved in groundbreaking research and education in plastic surgery and has authored numerous articles, abstracts, and chapters.
