Background: Immunoresistance to botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT-A) due to neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) can lead to partial or complete secondary nonresponse (SNR), potentially limiting individuals' aesthetic and/or medical therapeutic options in the short and/or long term. Understanding factors directly or indirectly influencing BoNT-A immunoresistance risk is crucial.
Aims: This analysis explored patterns of latent risk factors (biological and behavioral) that may influence the risk of developing BoNT-A immunoresistance among experienced aesthetic BoNT-A recipients.
Purpose: Microfocused ultrasound with real-time visualization (MFU-V) is often used for noninvasive skin lifting, by precisely targeting dermal and subcutaneous tissues to create thermal coagulation points (TCPs). These TCPs denature collagen and initiate a transient inflammatory response, ultimately attracting dermal fibroblasts and inducing efficient neocollagenesis and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, yielding to MFU-V's desired skin-lifting effects. The current study investigates MFU-V's underlying mode of action based on the histological progression of TCPs in the skin, providing new insight into the technology's regenerative effect.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Microfocused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V) is widely used in aesthetic medicine for skin tightening and rejuvenation. However, its role in regenerative aesthetics and its precise mechanism of action are not fully understood.
Objective: This narrative review aims to contextualize and articulate the mechanism of action of MFU-V, evaluate its role in regenerative aesthetics, and assess its effectiveness based on existing clinical, histological, and skin-mechanical studies.
Background: As long-term, regular aesthetic botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT-A) use becomes more commonplace, it is vital to understand real-world risk factors and impact of BoNT-A immunoresistance. The first Aesthetic Council on Ethical Use of Neurotoxin Delivery panel discussed issues relating to BoNT-A immunoresistance from the health care professionals' (HCPs') perspective. Understanding the implications of BoNT-A immunoresistance from the aesthetic patient's viewpoint allows HCPs to better support patients throughout their aesthetic treatment journey.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFacial skin quality profoundly influences an individual's perceived appearance and is an important aspect of facial rejuvenation. Facial pore enlargement is one of the most common concerns among Asian individuals that adversely impacts perceived skin surface evenness and affects overall skin quality. One of the major causes of enlarged pores is facial skin laxity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Despite the increasing need for the improvement of enlarged facial pores, the treatment remains challenging. A few previous studies have reported the effects of micro-focused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V) or intradermal incobotulinumtoxin-A (INCO) on enlarged facial pores.
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined treatment with superficial MFU-V and intradermal INCO for enlarged facial pores.
Background: In aesthetic clinical practice, botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) is best known for its use as a neuromodulator for the treatment of dynamic facial lines; however, when injected intradermally as microdroplets, BoNT-A can improve skin quality and overall skin appearance.
Objectives: To discuss key aspects of microtoxin use in clinical practice and provide expert guidance on utilization.
Methods: As part of a continuing medical education lecture series and roundtable, the authors discussed key aspects of microtoxin patient selection, injection technique, and safety.
Objective: We sought to examine the current skin quality trends and gaps in clinical practice in the Asia Pacific region and develop a practical guide to improve skin quality.
Methods: Medical practitioners from 11 countries in the Asia Pacific region completed an online survey on current trends in skin quality treatment. A panel of 12 leading experts convened for a virtual meeting to develop a practical guide for skin quality improvement.
Unlabelled: Botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT-A) injection is the most widely performed aesthetic procedure and a first-line therapeutic option for various medical conditions. The potential for BoNT-A immunoresistance and secondary nonresponse related to neutralizing antibody (NAb) formation warrants attention as the range of BoNT-A aesthetic applications continues to expand.
Methods: An international multidisciplinary panel reviewed published evidence on BoNT-A immunoresistance in aesthetic and therapeutic applications and discussed best practices integrating clinical, ethical, and aesthetic considerations.
Background: The use of hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers for medical aesthetic purposes is increasing worldwide. Nonetheless, adverse events do occur because of patient-specific issues, injection technique, or product factors. It would be mandatory to consider cultural and anatomical features of Asians in preventing and managing the complications of HA injections.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Most botulinum toxin A (BoNT/A) products contain unnecessary bacterial components that increase the risk of developing neutralizing antibodies (nAbs). Reports of secondary nonresponse and treatment failures (STF) due to nAbs have accompanied a surge in new BoNT/A products.
Methods: To formulate recommendations on managing toxin resistance, we reviewed the evidence on BoNT/A-associated immunogenicity and evaluated Asian physicians' current BoNT/A practices, knowledge, and real-world experiences, as provided by survey outcomes conducted with 128 Asian experts (regular botulinum toxin injectors).
Background: Microfocused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V; Ultherapy , Merz North America) is US Food and Drug Administration-cleared as a non-invasive procedure that lifts the soft tissue of the neck, submentum and brow, and improves lines and wrinkles on the upper chest. Several other energy-based devices are in use in countries outside the USA where they are marketed for indications similar to those of MFU-V, although published studies supporting these indications are limited and none of the other devices provides visualization or verification they reach the superficial musculoaponeurotic system.
Methods: Due to the evolving landscape of ultrasound technology as more devices enter the market, seven global thought leaders who are qualified experts on the use of various high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)/MFU-V technologies convened to review data from an independent evaluation of the software, thermal characteristics, transducer acoustics and ultrasound therapy of MFU-V and three other ultrasound-based devices.
Noninvasive facial-rejuvenation devices, such as nonablative radiofrequency (RF) and laser-assisted technology, are increasingly replacing higher-risk surgeries for face and body skin laxity. We sought to review published information on noninvasive energy device safety and efficacy in aesthetic skin tightening, compare these with our experiences in Asian patients, and disseminate a consensus for optimizing microfocused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V) in Asian patients. A broad, nonexhaustive, nonsystematic literature search of published studies indexed in PubMed was performed to compare selected energy technologies to MFU-V for noninvasive face and body skin tightening, in particular, among Asian patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Skin quality is an important component of human attractiveness. To date, there are no standardized criteria for good skin quality. To establish a consensus for good skin quality parameters and measurement and treatment options, a virtual skin quality advisory board consisting of a global panel of highly experienced aesthetic dermatologists/aesthetic physicians was convened.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Intradermal injections of botulinum toxin have been reported to improve sebum secretion, facial skin laxity, and facial pores. However, the effects of Incobotulinumtoxin-A for these indications have not been reported.
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of Incobotulinumtoxin-A for the improvement of sebum secretion, face laxity, and facial pores.
A group of established aesthetic physicians sought to develop treatment guidelines for assessing Asian face morphologies that reflect accurate and current beauty standards across Asia. Physicians completed surveys, debated, and voted on their clinical strategies and developed an alternative simplified visual tool of assessment (SVAT) that discerns between country variations in genetic and ideal morphotypes. Electronic and paper surveys were followed by consensus debates and voting.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRecently launched esthetic botulinum toxin serotype A (BoNT/A) products include Nabota/Jeuveau, Meditoxin/Neuronox, and Botulax, which contain nontoxic accessory proteins and excipients. Clinical evidence supporting these formulations, including their purity and potential immunogenicity or their link to treatment failures, is limited. Any nonhuman protein, including nontoxin accessory proteins, can initiate immune reactions, especially if administered repeatedly, yet the issue of BoNT/A-induced immunogenicity is widely contested.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPeriorbital aging involves all layers of the skin, fat, and the bony orbit. Therefore, a multimodal approach is necessary. Twenty Korean subjects who required periorbital rejuvenation were enrolled in this study.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: A multimodal approach is essential for neck rejuvenation because many factors contribute to the aging of the neck.
Objectives: We evaluated the effect of combined therapy using microfocused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V), neuromodulator injection, and filler injection for neck rejuvenation.
Methods: Subjects were sequentially treated with three kinds of interventions in a single session, as follows: (A) MFU-V or calcium hydroxyapatite injection for restoring skin laxity; (B) hyaluronic acid filler injection for horizontal neck lines; and (C) neuromodulator injection for platysmal bands.
Background: IncobotulinumtoxinA is safe and effective in Caucasian adults. Its effects have been less documented in Asian adults.
Objective: To describe the efficacy and tolerability of incobotulinumtoxinA for treating glabellar frown lines (GFLs) in South Korean adults.
Background: Quantitative measurements are important for objective evaluation of postprocedural outcomes. Three-dimensional (3D) imaging is known as an objective, accurate, and reliable system for quantifying the soft tissue dimensions of the face.
Objective: To compare the preprocedural and acute postprocedural nasofrontal, nasofacial, nasolabial, and nasomental angles, early changes in the height and length of the nose, and nasal volume using a 3D surface imaging with a light-emitting diode.
Mitochondrial homeostasis is tightly regulated by two major processes: mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial degradation by autophagy (mitophagy). Research in mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle in response to endurance exercise training has been well established, while the mechanisms regulating mitophagy and the interplay between mitochondrial biogenesis and degradation following endurance exercise training are not yet well defined. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a short-term inhibition of autophagy in response to acute endurance exercise on skeletal muscle mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamics in an exercise-trained condition.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Although the use of filling agents for soft-tissue augmentation has increased worldwide, most consensus statements do not distinguish between ethnic populations. There are, however, significant differences between Caucasian and Asian faces, reflecting not only cultural disparities, but also distinctive treatment goals. Unlike aesthetic patients in the West, who usually seek to improve the signs of aging, Asian patients are younger and request a broader range of indications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF3-Amino-5-phenyl (or 5-methyl)-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-ones, which are chiral precursors of anti-respiratory syncytial virus active agents, were resolved on three different chiral stationary phases (CSPs) based on (+)-(18-crown-6)-2,3,11,12-tetracarboxylic acid or (3,3'-diphenyl-1,1'-binaphthyl)-20-crown-6. Among the three CSPs, the CSP that is based on (3,3'-diphenyl-1,1'-binaphthyl)-20-crown-6 and containing residual silanol group-protecting n-octyl groups on the silica surface was found to be most effective with the use of 80% ethanol in water containing perchloric acid (10 mM) and ammonium acetate (1.0 mM) as a mobile phase.
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