Step aside, Botox. There’s a new anti-wrinkle treatment on the scene.
It’s one of the most-talked-about new arrivals in the world of appearance medicine, and now Relfydess is available in New Zealand.
While Botox has always been popular for its ability to smooth fine lines and wrinkles (for a
short time at least), it can take a while for its effect to show, and even then results only last for a few months at best.
But now Relfydess, a new type of botulinum toxin, looks set to usurp Botox’s popularity.
Galderma, the Swiss-based dermatology company that developed Relfydess, claims 39% of patients see results on day one, and up to 75% of patients still experience its smoothing effects at the six-month mark.
The next-generation toxin is now available at two of the country’s leading appearance medicine clinics, Clinic 42 and The Face Place, with other clinics prepped to follow suit.
Cosmetic physician and partner at Clinic 42, Dr Ellen Selkon, shares everything you need to know about this new skin-smoothing treatment.
What is Relfydess?
This unique botulinum toxin is from manufacturer Galderma, the company that makes other well-known injectables, including Sculptra and filler Restylane.
Relfydess’ scientific name is relabotulinum toxinA, and Selkon says it took Galderma 10 years of research and development to bring to market.
“It is very pure, containing no human- or animal-derived proteins like all other toxins do,” Selkon says, adding this also means it’s near impossible for people to develop a tolerance to the treatment.
Unlike other toxin injections, which come as a powder that needs to be mixed with saline before treatment, Relfydess comes as a ready-to-use liquid format.
Galderma’s patented Pearl Technology involves a specialised purification and manufacturing process that the firm says produces a stable and consistent product.
Every drop of Relfydess is the same concentration, which is why it works so much faster than any other botulinum toxin available in New Zealand.
How long does it last?
As true for most anti-wrinkle injections, Relfydess has zero downtime – meaning you’ll leave the clinic looking as fresh as you did when you arrived, without redness, bruising or swelling.
But the difference between Relfydess and other anti-wrinkle injections like Botox lies in how quickly it takes effect and how long these effects last.
Typically, Botox takes three to five days to show early softening of lines, with full results visible between 10 to 14 days post-appointment to completely block nerve signals and relax muscles. Results last between three to four months.
By contrast, Medsafe NZ says the onset of action for Relfydess is reported within one to three days (up to 39% in glabellar or frown lines, and 34% in lateral canthal lines or crows feet), with results visible for up to six months after injection.
Selkon believes the early onset of Relfydess will result in it becoming “extremely popular the world over”, and adds that despite Botox’s popularity, it’s not the most-used anti-wrinkle in New Zealand, Australia, the UK or Europe.
How is Relfydess administered?
Like Botox, Selkon says Relfydess is injected into the muscles of the face and most commonly used to treat frown lines or crow’s feet.
From here, it attaches itself to the nerve endings connected to the muscle, blocking the messages that tell muscle fibres to contract. The result? Muscles remain temporarily frozen, leaving skin smooth and unwrinkled.
How much does it cost?
At Clinic 42, Relfydess is $8 per unit when administered by a doctor, or $7 per unit when administered by a nurse. It’s squarely on par with the clinic’s pricing for Dysport, another anti-wrinkle injectable, but more affordable than Botox ($25 or $23 per unit) and Xeomin ($22 or $20). A minimum charge of $150 applies.
The Face Place recommends booking in for a consultation, during which the team can provide a quote following a facial assessment.
What’s the feedback been so far?
The Clinic 42 team has treated more than 200 patients with Relfydess so far, and Selkon says feedback regarding the treatment and onset of action has been glowing.
The team is still waiting for feedback on the duration of effects.
“It is important to understand that there will not be “no movement” for six months, but that the majority of patients treated with Relfydess will not return to their baseline within six months. So movement will return slowly but not fully by six months,” she says.
What are the risks?
According to Medsafe NZ, the risks associated with Relfydess range from hypersensitivity to infection, which is similar to the precautions and contraindications for other botulinum toxins on the market.
Medsafe NZ also noted that the efficacy and safety of repeat injections beyond 12 months has not been evaluated.
Selkon attended the recent IMCAS (International Master Course on Ageing Science) conference in Paris, where the theme was restraint and responsibility – especially when it came to newer products on the market. This refers to both physicians analysing scientific evidence behind a product to determine if it’s safe and does what it claims to do.
“Relfydess lives up to the science and studies,” she says, adding that the new injectable offers patients more options to find which anti-wrinkle treatment is right for them.
“I think it is important to know that when injected by an experienced injector, using the correct product and in the correct amount, they can add to the facial aesthetic to help create facial harmony.”
As Relfydess is a prescription medicine with risks and benefits, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional to determine if Relfydess is suitable for you before undergoing treatment.
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