Q&A With a Belkyra Clinical Trial Participant — Six Years Later
Back in 2012, Dr. Humphrey led the clinical trial for Kythera (now known as Belkyra) — a new injectable treatment that promised to melt away stubborn submental fat. We recently caught up with one of the trial participants to learn more about why she became involved and how it’s impacted her life.
Our patient, Patricia, had been involved in previous clinical trials with Carruthers & Humphrey for forehead Botox and cheek fillers, but when she heard about a new drug that could melt away her double chin, she was immediately interested. “I thought it would help dramatically,” she explained. “It’s a region of my face that I have recently struggled with. Even though my profession was in a highly technical field I have sought to maintain a youthful appearance. I felt the double chin was aging me, both the appearance of the fullness and the sagging skin.”
Patricia was often in the public eye. As a woman who was a first in her field of Air Traffic Control, she was often covered in print and television interviews from CBC news to Chatelaine magazine.
Here’s what she had to say about her experience during the clinical trial and beyond:
C&H: What led you to seek out a cosmetic solution for submental fullness?
Patricia: To be honest, I didn’t even know there were options until the Carruthers & Humphrey research team approached me about the study. I never considered cosmetic surgery to treat the area — I’m just not prepared to do surgery for cosmetic purposes — but this seemed like the “ideal” choice for me.
C&H: Describe the results. How did you feel when you left the clinic on day one, and in the weeks and months to come?
Patricia: The cooling technique helped to numb the slight injections, so I don’t recall any level of discomfort. It’s been six years since my last treatment, and haven’t needed another one since.
C&H: How would you say Belkyra has impacted your life?
Patricia: It’s improved my appearance for certain. I also feel more youthful and that definitely helps your self-esteem. It really does work! I’ve been on a dating site for a while and I post my age as several years younger and still receive comments that I look good for my (posted) age!
C&H: What would you tell someone struggling with similar submental fullness?
Patricia: I would tell them to go ahead and try it! I have no qualms about recommending it to anyone. I think a person who has a very full face would benefit as much as an older person.
Do either of those descriptions sound like you? Book a consultation with our physician team to learn more about Belkyra.
