Cryoneuromodulation May Freeze Frown Lines Away

Published April 8, 2011 by Dr. Mark Mandell-Brown

With the invention (and popularity) of Botox, nearly everyone became familiar with the concept of paralyzing facial muscles to smooth out wrinkles. Now a new treatment is looking toward freezing them away in a similar manner.

Cryoneuromodulation is in early phases of clinical trials. The new technology is believed to zap away forehead wrinkles by freezing the nerves, according to U.S. News & World Report.

“It’s a toxin-free alternative to treating unwanted lines and wrinkles, similar to what is being done with Botox and Dysport,” said Francis Palmer, director of facial plastic surgery at the University of Southern California School of Medicine in L.A.

“From the early clinical trials, this procedure — which its maker calls cryoneuromodulation — appears to have the same clinical efficacy and safety comparable to the existing techniques.”

The procedure uses small needles to deliver cold to nerves running through the forehead. The cold freezes the nerve, which interrupts the nerve signal and relaxes the muscle that causes forehead lines. According to Palmer, the technique does not permanently damage the nerve.

They are still refining the technique, say they expect the results of the treatment to last about the same amount of time as Botox, which works for about three to four months. A study of 31 people, all of whom had fewer wrinkles after two to eight injections, and the level of discomfort was comparable to that from Botox or injectable fillers, Palmer said.

If this new technique is eventually approved by the FDA, it could significantly change the market for aesthetic treatments, where Botox has been the number one treatment for several years.