Improvement in Jowl Fat following ATX-101 Treatment: Results from a Single-Site Study

BACKGROUND:Jowl fat overhang can reduce jawline definition. The most common treatment to reduce jowl fat is liposuction. ATX-101 (deoxycholic acid injection), a minimally invasive treatment approved for submental fat reduction, may also be an effective treatment for jowl fat. The current study evaluated the efficacy and safety of ATX-101 treatment for reducing jowl fat. METHODS:In this prospective single-site study, 66 adults were treated for excess jowl fat with ATX-101 (area-adjusted dose2 mg/cm). Eligible patients had pinchable fat on the jawline and relatively minimal skin laxity in the jowl. Depending on the size of the treatment area, ATX-101 injections of 0.2 ml spaced 1.0 cm apart or 0.1 ml spaced 0.50 to 0.75 cm apart were administered. Improvement in jowl appearance was assessed ≥6 months after last treatment in person by the clinician. Improvement was also assessed by the patient and two independent plastic surgeons using blinded before/after treatment photographs. Safety was evaluated via adverse events (AEs). RESULTS:The mean number of ATX-101 treatments received was 1.8, with a mean injection volume of 0.8 ml/treatment/jowl. The majority of patients (98%) experienced an improvement in jowl appearance. Common AEs were injection-site edema, numbness, tenderness, and bruising. Injection-site marginal mandibular nerve paresis and alopecia were experienced by three patients each; all events resolved without sequelae. CONCLUSIONS:ATX-101 effectively reduced jowl fat and was well tolerated in this small cohort. Care should be taken when injecting ATX-101 into jowl fat to avoid underlying anatomic structures such as the marginal mandibular nerve.