An ointment that would help melt fat? Sounds to good to be true? Well it might be but preliminary clinical studies suggest that such an ointment exists and will be a clinical fat treatment in the not so far future. An active ingredient used in the treatment of glaucoma is showing promise as a nonsurgical option in the reduction of periorbital fat. (fat around the eyes)
Like many coincidental cosmetic medical discoveries (minoxidil was originally a high blood pressure medication, finasteride was a prostate shrinking drug), prostaglandin eye drops for glaucoma have a common side effect of reducing fat around the human eye. They have also been shown to do in fat cells in tissue cultures.
As reported in the Dermatology Times, the company Topokine has been studying compound XAF5 in phase 1 FDA clinical trials with it being well tolerated and showing fat reduction at the treatment site. XAF5 ointment has just completed Phase 2 FDA clinical trials to reduce excess eyelid fat. (steatoblepharon) Their researchers report that almost half of patients in the XAF5 ointment group showed visible improvement in both eyes of at least one level on their rating scale as well as a patient satisfaction scale which was superior to that of a placebo. The majority of patients saw improvement in facial appearance and were satisfied with the treatment. XAF5 ointment had few adverse side effects of which temporary redness around the eyes was the most common.
Once approved, XAF5 ointment would be the first topical drug scientifically studied and proven to reduce excess fat under the skin.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana