Botox injections are currently among the most popular cosmetic procedures in the world. It is well-known for its ability to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and crow’s feet in order to promote a more youthful appearance. One of the first drawbacks that come to mind, however, is the fact that Botox is applied via a needle which is injected into the face and around the eyes. Fortunately, a topical Botox is on its way to doctor’s offices that will make the procedure easier for all.
Revance’s RT001
RT001 is a gel created by Revance Therapeutics that is essentially a topical form of Botox. The idea behind the product is to create a formula that has skin-smoothing properties that are similarly strong to Botox’s without needing to be injected into the skin. Once released, people wanting to undergo the procedure will make an appointment with their physician, who will apply the RT001 to their face and leave it there for a period of time. They will then remove it with a special tool designed to remove the gel from skin. RT001 is still a drug, in the same way that Botox is, so it will not be available in stores or via prescription – it will still need to be administered by a medical professional.
Testing and Availability
RT001 has been in clinical trials and various testing grounds since its creation several years ago. So far, it has been used in several clinical trials where it was tested on hundreds of people and resulted in success for the majority of them. The patients in the trial found themselves enjoying smoother skin, less wrinkles and fewer crow’s feet. The administering physicians found that RT001 was easier to apply than Botox because it was easier to apply to specific areas, and because it was more effective on areas that normally required multiple shots of Botox. As the product enters phase 3 of FDA testing, it is estimated that it will be made available in late 2014 or in the early part of 2015.
The Advantages and Uses
The first advantage of using RT001 over Botox is immediately clear: it is a gel that does not require an injection, and does not require multiple applications. For example, individuals using Botox to treat hyperhidrosis often means needing 60 punctures to administer the Botox 30 times on each underarm. RT001, on the other hand, only needs to be applied once on each side for far less painful results. RT001 also does not result in a “frozen face” after treatment, unlike its injection-based counterpart. Perhaps the only drawback to using RT001 over Botox is that because it is a gel, it cannot penetrate areas on the body with particularly thick skin, such as in the feet or hands.
It is estimated that two of the biggest reasons individuals avoid Botox procedures are that they have a needle phobia and that they don’t want their facial muscles to freeze. RT001 could potentially fix both of those problems as a topical Botox that provides the same service with far less discomfort. More information about the procedure and trials can be read about at http://huffingtonpost.ca/2012/02/12/revance-botox_n_1204310.html.
Image Source: Flickr/CreativeCommons/Shawn Campbell
