I wanted to update you on some very exciting news in the arena of facial fillers. The FDA has just approved Xeomin for the temporary improvement of moderate to severe glabellar lines (those unwanted vertical lines between the eyebrows). Other cosmetic treatments run the gamut of typical Botox uses: crinkles and wrinkles on forehead, laugh lines, and marionette lines.

This signifies the third serious Botox contender, with Dysport being the other Botox-style injectable. A possible improvement over the latter two, Xeomin is purer than both Dysport and Botox and may be slightly more comfortable to inject. Effects last for approximately 12 weeks or longer.

According to Merz Aesthetics, the manufacturer of Xeomin, the response rates seen in the Phase III clinical trials were extremely encouraging, and FDA approval was based on the results of two U.S. clinical trials involving 16 investigational sites and 547 healthy adults. In both studies, Xeomin significantly improved the appearance of glabellar lines 30 days following the first injection, when compared to a placebo.

Currently Xeomin is approved in 14 countries under the name Bocouture®, including Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Spain.

Xeomin will be available nationwide in the U.S. in the spring of 2012. It will be exciting to see how these results stack up to the competition, but thus far indications are very encouraging.