Purtox Cosmetic Background
Purtox is a cosmetic preparation which is derived from botulinum toxin, and is designed to effectively treat dynamic wrinkles, those lines and folds which occur as a result of facial expression, such as squinting, smiling, or frowning. The product has not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, although approval is expected sometime in 2009.
Purtox is intended to compete with the highly popular Botox product, which also is used to treat dynamic wrinkles, including frown lines and crow’s feet. Interestingly, Purtox shares much of its heritage with Botox. Both products were introduced by the University of Wisconsin. When a pair of researchers approached the funding arm of the university in the early 1980s for money to develop the product which would become Botox, these university advisors denied the request, lacking the foresight to understand the potential market for the wrinkle product. The researchers sold the product to Allergan, which went on to develop and market the product as Botox, and the rest, as they say, is history.
During the subsequent 20 years, the researchers at the University of Wisconsin have continued to refine and “tinker” with botulinum, and the Purtox preparation is the result of all those years of development. This time, the university has retained a piece of the product, which is slated to be marketed by Mentor Corporation, an aesthetic products company based in California.
The final round of clinical trials completed enrollment in late 2008, and the study is currently in its follow-up stage. Researchers are expected to apply for FDA approval later this year.
The Purtox Cosmetic Injection
Like Botox, Purtox is a refined form of botulinum toxin A. Researchers claim, however, that the product is a purer form of Botox than that offered by Botox, which means results are expected to be more effective, both in the immediate effect on the treated area, and in the overall duration of the treatment.
During treatment, the Purtox solution is injected into the muscles underlying the skin in a procedure which takes about 10 to 20 minutes to complete. During clinical trials, patients were given five injections for frown lines, although the specific recommendations have not yet been made public. It is expected that the number of injections for satisfactory treatment will range from 3 to 5, similar to Botox.
How does Purtox work?
Like Botox and the recently approved Dysport, the second botulinum-based wrinkle treatment approved for use in the U.S., Purtox blocks specific nerve signals that direct facial muscles to contract during facial expression. When these muscles are prevented from contracting, resulting lines and folds cannot form. During the days and weeks following treatment, facial lines such as frown lines and crow’s feet begin to diminish. Like Botox and Dysport, additional treatments of Purtox will be required to maintain the effects. The number and frequency of follow-up treatments has not yet been disclosed.
Purtox Cosmetic Side Effects
Side effects of Purtox treatment are similar to those with Botox and Dysport, and include temporary bruising, redness, and swelling at the injection site. Rarely, individuals may experience “ptosis”, or drooping, of the eyelid, which will resolve within a few weeks of treatment. Any additional side effects will be made public once the clinical trials are completed.
Purtox Cosmetic Results
Although the product is still in the clinical trial phase, initial results indicate that Purtox may offer some benefit over Botox in extending the duration of treatment. Currently, the effects of Botox remain effective for 3 to 5 months in most patients. Purtox is also expected to treat a slightly wider area than Botox, offering a more natural result.
Disclaimer: This information is intended only as an introduction to this procedure. This information should not be used to determine whether you will have the procedure performed nor does it guarantee results of your elective surgery. Further details regarding surgical standards and procedures should be discussed with your physician.
By Dermanetwork.org Staff
Updated: June 22, 2009
