The FDA Approves Cosmetic Injectables Xeomin® and LaViv®

The U.S. FDA recently approved two new cosmetic injectable treatments, Xeomin® and LaViv®, for use in patients with facial wrinkles. Xeomin® falls in the category of botulinum toxin type A injectables and works similarly to BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport® in that the product relaxes the facial muscles that cause wrinkles. LaViv® is a treatment that involves the harvesting and re-injection of the patient’s own tissues to fill in facial wrinkles. Although we do not currently offer these products at the plastic surgery practice of Paul Pin, MD, we have reviewed the benefits and drawbacks of each injectable treatment in this blog post.

Xeomin®

The FDA previously approved Xeomin® for use in adults with blepharospasm or cervical dystonia. In July of this year, the FDA expanded approval to include a cosmetic use of the product: the treatment of deep wrinkles on the forehead. Xeomin® contains neurotoxins that are similar to those found in BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport®. However, there are two key differences that make Xeomin® different:

  • It does not have to be refrigerated prior to use
  • It does not contain additives, meaning that the patient is less likely to develop antibodies against the product

According to research, the side effects, risks, and results associated with Xeomin® are similar to those of BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport®. Patients getting Xeomin® injections for wrinkles may experience some bleeding, bruising, swelling, or itchiness at the injection site. Within one week of treatment, all side effects should subside and patients should be able to see a reduction in forehead wrinkles.

LaViv®

LaViv® is a “natural” injectable filler treatment that utilizes the patient’s own cells to minimize the appearance of wrinkles; in June, the FDA approved the product for use in patients with facial wrinkles. Although the technology may produce excellent results, its major disadvantage is that the treatment involves several different steps and it takes at least six months for the patient to experience visible results. The LaViv® treatment process involves the following stages:

  • A tissue sample, or biopsy, is taken from behind the patient’s ear; the sample contains fibroblasts, which produce collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid
  • The patient’s tissue is sent to a lab where the fibroblast cells multiply for the next 90 days
  • The cultured sample is sent to the doctor in an injectable form, and the patient can undergo the first round of injections
  • Three to six weeks later, the patient undergoes the second round of injections
  • Three to six weeks later, the patient undergoes the third round of injections

According to the manufacturers of LaViv®, the injected fibroblasts activate the fibroblasts that are already in the skin, plumping up the skin and reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

Tags: