Double Chins Are a Thing of the Past with New Injection

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Mar 08, 2016, 08:35 ET

WASHINGTON, March 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following successful clinical trials, ATX-101 is poised to become the first treatment of its kind for reducing the appearance of a double chin. Board certified dermatologist Dr. Saad Al Sogair presented compelling findings supporting the drug's safety and efficacy as part of a lecture at this year's meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology in Washington, D.C.

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"ATX-101 represents an important, nonsurgical treatment for the increasing demand for submental fat reduction," explained Dr. Sogair. "Moreover, the treatment serves as a regulated alternative to unregulated, compounded and misbranded products with unknown quality, safety and efficacy."

The causes of a double chin, or an excess of adipose fat underneath the face, are various. Aging, genetics and weight gain all contribute. The presence of a double chin has a direct impact on self-image, making an individual look older, heavier and less attractive. Unfortunately, the condition does not generally improve, even with a well-balanced diet and regular exercise.

Until recently, treatment options for a double chin were limited to invasive, expensive and potentially risky procedures. Necklift procedures involve full anesthesia, followed by weeks or months of recovery. Like all surgeries, a necklift carries with it a number of possible complications, some of them quite serious. Liposuction is possible when skin tone remains good. While less invasive than a necklift, liposuction also introduces risks like infection, nerve damage and permanent scarring.

ATX-101 is an entirely different approach that uses an injectable organic acid identical to one produced naturally in the body. Patients undergo a series of subcutaneous injections over the course of up to six sessions. Delivered not less than four weeks apart, these injections have been proven safe and well-tolerated in clinical trials.

The active compound in ATX-101 goes to work quickly, breaking down fat cell membranes but leaving neighboring tissues largely intact. Damaged fat cells are then removed by the body's natural processes.

Among the many advantages of ATX-101 is that treatment can be precisely tailored to the individual patient's circumstances and expectations. Furthermore, the effects are completely localized. In placebo-controlled, double-blind trials, the most commonly reported side effects were bruising, swelling and discomfort—all of which were temporary.

In follow-ups, the positive results of ATX-101 proved to be long-lasting. Other injectable treatments like Botox typically require indefinite maintenance doses to retain their effects. Patients reported improved self-esteem and satisfaction. Quantifiable results included reduced chin volume but with no unwanted skin sagging in more than 90% of patients.

"Given the overall balance of risks and benefits described, ATX-101 represents a safe, effective and less invasive alternative to current treatment options," concluded Dr. AlSogair. "The drug measurably improves the appearance of moderate to severe convexity or fullness associated with double chins in adults."

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SOURCE American Academy of Dermatology