Aesthetic treatments compared
Botulinum toxin for frown lines has been FDA-approved since 2002, while many at-home devices are only FDA-cleared, which is a lower bar than approval (sources: FDA, checked Nov. 3, 2026).
By Mongevity Desk · About us · Corrections
Retinoids, botulinum toxin, fillers, lasers, radiofrequency, LED masks, microneedling: this guide compares what each one changed in studies, how long it lasts and how strong the evidence is, graded A–E.
"FDA-approved" and "FDA-cleared" are not the same. Approval means the FDA reviewed evidence that a drug or high-risk device works for a use; clearance (510(k)) means a device was shown to be similar to one already on the market. We check each claim against the FDA's own databases, linked below.
We name treatments by technology, not by brand or clinic, and we do not sell anything.
Not covered yet: retinoids, lasers, radiofrequency, LED masks and microneedling. Each will appear here when we publish a study on it, with its grade and FDA status.
Every study we've graded
- AStrong: large randomized trials or meta-analyses in people, with hard outcomes.
- BGood: randomized trials in people with smaller samples, shorter follow-up or lab markers.
- CModerate: well-done observational studies in people.
- DLimited: small or early studies in people.
- EVery limited: studies in cells or animals only.
| Study | Topic | Evidence | Why this grade | Original paper | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aesthetic treatments: what works | |||||
| TrenibotulinumtoxinE alone smoothed frown lines within hours, but faded by day 21 | Skin | A | Pivotal double-blind placebo-controlled phase 3 trial; compared with placebo, not with type A toxins, and aimed at product approval. | Paper | Nov. 3, 2026 |
| A lip filler matched an approved one, with half of responders still improved at 48 weeks | Skin | B | Multicenter randomized trial with a blinded evaluator; non-inferiority design, post hoc durability and likely industry funding. | Paper | Nov. 3, 2026 |
| TrenibotulinumtoxinE, then onabotulinumtoxinA 30 days later: no new safety concerns | Skin | C | Small phase 1 study focused on safety; no long-term comparison or information on duration of effect. | Paper | Nov. 3, 2026 |
Questions people ask
Which anti-aging skin treatments actually work?
Botulinum toxin for frown lines has been FDA-approved since 2002, while many at-home devices are only FDA-cleared, which is a lower bar than approval (sources: FDA, checked Nov. 3, 2026).
Where the data comes from
- PubMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine: Every study we grade links to the original journal article.
- FDA device clearances and approvals (510(k) and PMA): The FDA's own database of cleared medical devices, with date and approved use.
- Drugs@FDA: Which drug is approved for which use, from the FDA.
- ClinicalTrials.gov, National Institutes of Health: The official registry of clinical trials: phase, status, dates and results, filed by the researchers.
Mongevity explains research. It does not give medical advice.