Findings for low volumes of hyaluronic acid filler more commonly used in daily clinical practice

MONDAY, Oct. 24, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Low-volume hyaluronic acid filler is effective for correction of age-related midface volume loss, according to a study published online Oct. 19 in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.

Monique Vanaman Wilson, M.D., from Cosmetic Laser Dermatology in San Diego, and colleagues conducted a two-center retrospective cohort study involving the medical records of 61 healthy patients who underwent treatment for facial volume loss with hyaluronic acid filler. Patients underwent follow-up at one, three, six, and 12 months after the procedure.

The mean initial treatment volume was 1.6 mL, with a mean total touch-up volume of 1.4 mL for the 48 percent of patients who elected to have touch-up treatment. The researchers found that at one, three, six, and 12 months after treatment, 73 to 89 percent of patients reported very much or moderately improved patient-graded Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale scores. At the 12-month follow-up, most patients were rated by investigators on the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale as very much or moderately improved. Eighty-four percent of patients reported satisfaction with their outcome at 12 months after the procedure. Most patients (68 to 100 percent) would elect to undergo the procedure again at all time points. Mild adverse events were reported, which resolved spontaneously within 14 days. There were no reports of delayed adverse events at the two-year follow-up.

“Midface volumization using the low volumes of hyaluronic acid filler more commonly used in daily clinical practice is effective and well tolerated,” the authors write.

Two authors disclosed financial ties to pharmaceutical and dermatology companies.


A note from Dr. Santos: “Surprisingly small amounts of filler volume provides prolonged satisfaction of face and cheek aesthetics.  This has been known for awhile but this study reaffirms this notion.  A simple and safe lunch time treatment can provide lasting results.”