The Year of Kybella®, Skin Tightening, and BOTOX®: Los Angeles’ Dr. Derek Jones Looks Back at 2015

The American Society of Dermatologic Surgery asked more than 7,000 people their thoughts on cosmetic dermatologic procedures in 2015, with results providing a snapshot of the year’s trends—at least from the public’s perspective. Perhaps not surprisingly to anyone involved in the industry, the top treatments were skin tightening procedures (such as Ultherapy®) and wrinkle-relaxing injectables (such as BOTOX®). Los Angeles-area dermatologist Dr. Derek H. Jones offers both BOTOX® and Ultherapy®, in addition to numerous other treatments, at his Skin Care and Laser Physicians of Beverly Hills, where visiting patients reflect the goals and desires of the larger population.

To compile its data, the society conducted an online poll, gathering answers from 7,315 respondents. Questions included language used to determine how many of the people surveyed were considering a cosmetic procedure from BOTOX® to chemical peels to vein removal, which factors were key in influencing their choice to get a procedure done, and how they chose the practitioner to perform their BOTOX® or Juvéderm® injections, laser hair reduction, or microdermabrasion.

BOTOX® and other botulinum-based injectables, namely Dysport® and Xeomin®, came in first in the survey’s satisfaction ratings, revealing that patients are continuing to return to the popular wrinkle-fighting solutions. The neurotoxin category that includes BOTOX® also regularly tops annual lists of the most frequently performed procedures, offered by dermatologists and plastic surgeons alike. BOTOX® is, in fact, the most commonly administered cosmetic treatment in the United States, and a look at patients’ positive attitudes toward BOTOX® in 2015, indicated by its millions of applications, reveals that it will likely hold that top spot for some time to come.

That said, Dr. Jones expects to see Kybella® making a strong appearance on the 2016 list, since it became available for wide use halfway through 2015. As the lead investigator for the study that led to the FDA’s approval of the injectable for treating submental fat, he has seen what Kybella® can do and believes it will continue to grow in popularity as more people become aware of its benefits. Though it probably won’t topple BOTOX® in 2016, it will likely make its way onto the year’s survey results.

Another point to consider is that while BOTOX® was the most commonly delivered treatment mentioned in the survey, non-invasive skin-tightening options proved to be procedures patients were most considering for themselves in 2015. This family of treatments includes ultrasound, lasers and lights, and radiofrequency energy, all of which can stimulate collagen production and give skin a rejuvenating boost. Other often-considered procedures were laser hair removal, microdermabrasion, and laser and light treatments for redness, uneven skin tone, and scars.

Patients offered further insight into their decisions by indicating conditions that somewhat or extremely bothered them. A full 88 percent named excess weight, with 67 percent specifically pointing to excess fat under their chin and on their neck. This is specifically the area targeted by Kybella®—though it should be noted that the injectable is intended only for aesthetic fat reduction and isn’t considered to be a weight-loss method.

Some 69 percent of the respondents said they didn’t like lines and wrinkles around their eyes, while 56 percent said the same about forehead wrinkles and 55 percent called out lines between their eyebrows—all of which are addressed by BOTOX®.

Other significantly bothersome conditions included problems with skin texture and discoloration (noted by 72 percent of those surveyed), mid-face folds on the cheeks and around the mouth (64 percent), sagging facial skin (67 percent), wrinkly neck or chest skin (60 percent), hair loss (43 percent), and acne scars (27 percent).