Anyone who gets neuromodulators (Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, etc.) has probably come to accept that they're never going to see results instantaneously. It can take about two weeks after an appointment to see a treatment’s full smoothing effect, but for many, it's worth the wait when lines end up significantly softened for up to six months. But what if your morning Botox could kick in by your evening event?
AbbVie—the company that owns Allergan Aesthetics, which makes Botox—announced last week that it has submitted a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for a new neuromodulator it's calling TrenibotE (short for trenibotulinumtoxinE) for the treatment of moderate to severe glabellar lines (those forehead “11”s). Its name might not roll off the tongue, but it's poised to be the talk of the aesthetics industry thanks to its unique clinical profile. Instead of taking a couple of weeks to kick in, TrenibotE works its magic as early as eight hours after injection. The catch? It wears off in two to three weeks instead of lasting several months.
This is according to the Phase 3 trials that AbbVie has submitted to the FDA, after treating over 2,100 patients with TrenibotE. In addition to assessing onset of action and longevity of the drug, they found that adverse events were similar to placebo, for up to three consecutive treatments.
No one knows exactly how long it will take TrenibotE to go from BLA to FDA approval but Ava Shamban, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills who was an investigator on one of the drug’s Phase 3 trials, is hopeful we won’t have to wait too long. “I do expect it’ll be out later this year or early 2026,” she tells Allure. At this point, the dermatologists we spoke to are unsure what the cost will be, and AbbVie declined to comment on either approval timing or pricing.
A neuromodulator veteran may see this treatment’s short-term effects as a downside, but you’re not really the patient that AbbVie has in mind here. We’ve all heard rare but real stories of droopy eyelids, “Spock brows,” and uneven outcomes after ‘tox injections. Those anecdotes have served as a bright yellow light for some people who want the smoothing results but are worried about potential side effects.
"Concern about an unnatural outcome remains a significant barrier for many patients considering medical aesthetics treatment," said Dr. Cheryl Burgess, a board-certified dermatologist in Washington, DC who was a lead clinical investigator for one of the Phase 3 studies, in AbbVie’s recent statement. "Treatment with a product offering rapid onset of effect and short duration of action could help address this barrier and empower confidence for patients exploring their aesthetics treatment journey with innovation from the makers of Botox Cosmetic."
Easing newcomers into the idea of neuromodulators isn’t the only angle for TrenibotE. “The rapid onset makes it great for someone who wants a quick refresh before an event or trip,” says Francesca Lewis, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Delray Beach, Florida. “I think it’s a great future tool to have in our aesthetic toolbox.”
Photographed by: Huy Luong
Stylist: Roberto Johnson
Hair: Jerome Cultrera
Makeup: Nolan Eakin
Manicure: Leanne Woodley
Prop Styling: Manuel Norena
Model: Kaimin Hu
Read more about injectables:
- The Truth About Social-Famous Surgeons: “He Had a Million Followers, So I Thought He Was Good”
- The FDA Is Warning Against the Use of These At-Home Lip-Plumping Devices
- The Most Surprising New Botox and Filler Trends
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