An ointment that painlessly melts away fat has been hailed as ‘ an eye-lift in a bottle ’ by experts . The treatment – known only by its experimental name of XAF5 – has been shown to significantly reduce bags under the eyes . Its makers say it could also be used to dissolve double chins and even be employed on the body , particularly on stomach fat . The praise follows yesterday ’ s annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology , where US bio-tech company Topokine Therapeutics presented details of a trial of 90 patients , aged between 40 and 70 , who applied the cream once a day to their under-eye area for ten weeks . Scroll down for video . The treatment , known only by its experimental name of XAF5 , has been shown to significantly reduce bags under the eyes . Stock photo . The trial was double-blind and placebo-controlled , meaning that neither the participants nor the researchers knew which patients belonged to the control group or the test group . Bags were graded on a four-point scale , and in ratings given by independent doctors , just under half of those using XAF5 were found to have improved by one full grade in both eyes , with some seeing a two-grade improvement . Dr Michael Singer , Topokine ’ s chief scientific officer , said : ‘ A one-grade improvement may sound small , but it is a meaningful change . Participants said they felt they looked more youthful , more attractive and more well rested after treatment. ’ Eye bags , or steatoblepharon , are fat pads under the eye socket that bulge forwards . Although numerous factors , including lack of sleep and allergies , can lead to fluid accumulation in these tissues , they are typically a permanent part of the facial structure . Their appearance worsens with age as the ligaments holding the pads in place soften . When applied , XAF5 is absorbed through the skin and into fat tissue . It binds to receptors on the surface of fat cells , causing them to expel their oil contents , reducing their size . It also prevents new fat cells from forming . The makers of the cream say it could also be used to dissolve double chins and even be employed on the body , particularly on stomach fat . File photo . The ointment ’ s active ingredient – a compound known as a prostaglandin – was initially developed as a treatment for glaucoma , or high pressure in the eyeball , given as eye drops . However , while testing the drug , doctors noticed that fat around they eyes began to disappear within weeks – called prostaglandin-associated periorbitopathy , or PAP . However , as well as losing their eye bags , some patients also developed deeper or ‘ sunken ’ eyes . Previously , PAP has been seen as an unwanted side effect of a different prostaglandin used in another prescription-only cosmetic cream Latisse , which causes the eyelashes to grow . In rare cases , the drug also causes irreversible brown pigment to appear in the eye . But Dr Singer said that XAF5 was a different type of prostaglandin , and trials had seen ‘ no effects on the eye , including iris hyperpigmentation ’ . US professor of ophthalmology , Dr Stanley Berke , who has written papers on PAP , said this type of fat loss could make people with loose , puffy , baggy lids and loose skin look better . ‘ For some patients who might be candidates for plastic surgery , this could be thought of as a “ blepharoplasty [ eye lift ] in a bottle ” , ’ he added . However , London-based dermatologist Dr Stefanie Williams said : ‘ Surgery is currently the only option to treat eye bags due to fat accumulation. ’ Yet while this is effective and permanent , surgeons may inadvertently remove too much fat , which can leave people looking hollow-eyed and permanently surprised . In contrast , when XAF5 is discontinued , the results reverse . XAF5 , which would be a prescription-only cream to be applied at home once a day , is now undergoing further testing .
Treatment – known only by its experimental name of XAF5 – has been shown to significantly reduce bags under the eyes . It was tested on 90 patients who applied cream once a day for annual . Its makers say it could even be employed on the body , particularly on stomach fat .