Hyaluronic Acid Gel (Restylane) Filler for Facial Rhytids: Lessons Learned From American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Member Treatment of 286 Patients

Restoring Adipose Tissue Homeostasis in Response to Aging: Initial Clinical Experience with Profhilo Structura®

The aim of the case series was to determine the efficacy of a new medical device developed for adipose tissue restoration in the face. The medical device used the patented NAHYCO® Hybrid Technology to deliver 45 mg of high- (1400 ± 200 kDa) and 45 mg of low- (100 ± 20 kDa) molecular-weight hyaluronan, in 2 mL. Patients and methods: Twenty-two volunteers, aged 36-60 years. Two mL of Profhilo® Structura was injected using a 25 G cannula for each hemiface, into superficial fat compartment along the line from the preauricular area to the mandibular angle. Two injections were performed, and Profhilo Structura's effect on restoring adipose tissue was evaluated immediately after treatment, and over a 6-month follow-up. The studied medical device revealed a pseudoplastic behavior and consistency that allowed easy extrusion from a syringe. It showed a lower viscosity compared to dermal fillers, based on crosslinked HA. Clinically, the soft tissue thickness increased immediately after injection, and the clinical improvement persisted across a 6-month follow-up. The self-reported satisfaction with the treatment showed an amelioration in the midface of all the subjects enrolled, with no adverse effects. Profhilo® Structura demonstrated a peculiar fat compartment integration, with a regenerating effect on adipose tissue senescence. The skin thickening and compaction effects were similar to those obtained using chemically crosslinked dermal fillers, while a natural look was preserved, and the use of crosslinking agents was avoided.

Efficacy and Tolerability of Hybrid Complexes of High- and Low-Molecular-Weight Hyaluronan Intradermal Injections for the Treatment of Skin Roughness and Laxity of the Neck

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a well-characterized formulation of hyaluronic acid (HA), Profhilo®, in the treatment of roughness and laxity of the neck skin. The study was performed on 25 subjects ranging in age from 40 to 65 years. Two injections of the studied product at 30-day intervals were performed, with evaluations conducted 1 and 4 months after the first injection. The efficacy was determined by clinical and multilevel instrumental evaluations. In addition, at the end of the study, the subjects completed a questionnaire related to the efficacy and tolerability of the product. The studied product was shown to induce a clear and statistically significant improvement in the skin of the neck in all the subjects, with concordant results between the clinical, instrumental, and subjects' evaluations. The positive effects, present after the first injection, were further increased in the second and last evaluation. Notably, the product was reported to have a very high tolerability by both clinicians and subjects. In conclusion, two injections of the studied product safely induced skin amelioration in subjects with mild to moderate neck skin roughness and laxity.

B10 cells decrease fibrosis progression following cardiac injury partially by IL-10 production and regulating hyaluronan secretion

B10 cells play negative roles in inflammatory disorders by producing IL-10. However, their effects on fibrosis have not been elucidated. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the dynamic changes of B10 cell frequency and their potential role in cardiac fibrosis. We found that the frequency of B10 cells was significantly increased, and they participated in the regression of fibrosis via IL-10, particularly by accelerating hyaluronan secretion and inhibiting collagen deposition. In vivo, hyaluronan ablation or treatment significantly restricted cardiac fibrosis development. hyaluronan-induced conversion of M1/M2 Mc was dependent on the size of hyaluronan. Low molecular weight hyaluronan promoted the conversion to M1 Mϕ, whereas medium and high molecular weight hyaluronan accelerated Mϕ transdifferentiation into the M2 phenotype. Adoptive transfer of B10 cells significantly attenuated collagen deposition whereas CD19^-/- mice with reduced B10 cells exacerbated fibrosis following cardiac injury. Our results provide new evidence suggesting that B10 cells exert antifibrotic effects by regulating the extracellular matrix composition during cardiac injury, and also highlight that B10 cells may serve as a promising therapeutic candidate for managing cardiac fibrosis-associated disorders.

The quality of online information regarding non-surgical aesthetic procedures

BACKGROUND

The rapid growth of non-surgical aesthetics has led to a scarcity of regulation that raises concerns for serious consequences to public health. Services are advertised primarily through websites which are not necessarily centrally monitored or maintained to a set gold standard. We quantitatively assess the quality of online information regarding non-surgical procedures in order to promote patient safety and informed decision making.

METHODS

Google and Bing, search engines that represent 95.27of global searches, were queried with the expanded search terms "facial filler" and "Botox". The top 100 results were sampled and two validated tools were used to assess the quality of healthcare information retrieved; the DISCERN instrument and the JAMA benchmark criteria.

RESULTS

Once duplicates were removed, a total of 77 unique websites were retrieved by the search. The majority of websites were published by private marketing firms. The median score for website quality across all included websites was 'fair' (42) when assessed according to the DISCERN instrument, and 'poor' (1) when assessed against the JAMA criteria. Private websites had the lowest quality of information online and institutional websites had the highest.

CONCLUSION

Non-surgical aesthetics are becoming increasingly popular with patients and clinicians due to their convenience, scope of treatment, and novel and strategic marketing. Online information available to patients, however, is often of poor quality, dominated by private clinics and commercial entities, and thus presents a significant risk of misinforming patients desiring to undertake these procedures. Significant reform and regulation of information is required in order to make this industry safer for patients.

PMMA Safety for Facial Filling: Review of Rates of Granuloma Occurrence and Treatment Methods

PMMA is composed of microspheres suspended in bovine collagen. Once injected in a dermal area, the carrier is absorbed, giving place to collagen that gives volume and maintains the spheres in the place. This process may give origin to exacerbate foreign body reaction and granuloma. The frequency of such complication is not clear. The primary objective was to review and compare the frequencies of granuloma between the published studies. The secondary aim was to compare the therapies and efficacies. The series of cases in which PMMA was used as facial filler were reviewed, and the rate of granulomas was compared; the case report studies describing those complications were also reviewed, and the therapies and outcomes were quantified. The data showed general frequency of PMMA-related complications of 4.9% and granulomas 1.9%; the incidence of granuloma was 1/2075 patients-year, and the time to development ranged from 6 to 180 months. The most used therapies were steroid, surgery or both, with satisfactory results. In conclusion, considering the actual risks and benefits of PMMA, we may affirm that it is a safe filler; doctors and patients must be conscious of potential risks when deciding for its use. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Evaluation of the efficacy of a new hyaluronic acid gel on dynamic and static wrinkles in volunteers with moderate aging/photoaging

Purpose

Aim of the study was to determine both clinically and by noninvasive instrumental evaluations the efficacy, tolerability and the duration of the effects of a new hyaluronic acid (HA) gel in human volunteers with moderate aging/photoaging.

Patients and methods

Eighteen volunteers (35–55 years) were enrolled in this single-center study. The subjects underwent five visits. The first visit was at baseline to determine the adherence to the inclusion criteria, followed by the first injection of the HA-based study product, and the second visit was at 48 hours after the injection. Two months later, a second injection was given (Visit 3) followed by a subsequent visit (Visit 4) after 48 hours. The last visit (Visit 5) was performed 5 months after the first injection. Clinical and instrumental evaluations as well as self-assessment by the subjects were recorded at each visit.

Results

A significant improvement of wrinkles’ grade around the eyes, vertical lip lines and wrinkles’ severity of nasolabial folds was recorded after the first injection and the effect increased after the second injection. Aging/photoaging grade and surface microrelief improved 2 months after the first injection procedure. These clinical improvements were paralleled by amelioration of instrumental skin profilometry and optical colorimetry. The treatments were very well tolerated by the volunteers as determined by the self-grading score.

Conclusion

The results confirm the good esthetic performance and the duration of the effect of the HA-based study product (Viscoderm^® Hydrobooster) on dynamic facial wrinkles and/or static facial lines. These effects were particularly evident after the second injection and were accompanied by a good tolerability of the product.

Non-aesthetic indications for periocular hyaluronic acid filler treatment: a review

Dermal fillers have been in use for many years for aesthetic rejuvenation of the face. More recently, however, fillers have been increasingly used as an alternative to traditional surgical procedures for non-aesthetic indications. These indications include lagophthalmos, eyelid malpositions and orbital volume deficiency. The advantages of these filler injections are multiple: minimally invasive, repeatable, titratable and even reversible (depending on the product used). We review the current literature of functional uses of filler injections as mentioned above and evaluate the safety profile and efficacy of filler injections for this purpose.

High and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid differentially influence macrophage activation

Macrophages exhibit phenotypic diversity permitting wide-ranging roles in maintaining physiologic homeostasis. Hyaluronic acid, a major glycosaminoglycan of the extracellular matrix, has been shown to have differential signaling based on its molecular weight. With this in mind, the main objective of this study was to elucidate the role of hyaluronic acid molecular weight on macrophage activation and reprogramming. Changes in macrophage activation were assessed by activation state selective marker measurement, specifically quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction, and cytokine enzyme-linked immunoassays, after macrophage treatment with differing molecular weights of hyaluronic acid under four conditions: the resting state, concurrent with classical activation, and following inflammation involving either classically or alternatively activated macrophages. Regardless of initial polarization state, low molecular weight hyaluronic acid induced a classically activated-like state, confirmed by up-regulation of pro-inflammatory genes, including nos2, tnf, il12b, and cd80, and enhanced secretion of nitric oxide and TNF-α. High molecular weight hyaluronic acid promoted an alternatively activated-like state, confirmed by up regulation of pro-resolving gene transcription, including arg1, il10, and mrc1, and enhanced arginase activity. Overall, our observations suggest that macrophages undergo phenotypic changes dependent on molecular weight of hyaluronan that correspond to either (1) pro-inflammatory response for low molecular weight HA or (2) pro-resolving response for high molecular weight HA. These observations bring significant further understanding of the influence of extracellular matrix polymers, hyaluronic acid in particular, on regulating the inflammatory response of macrophages. This knowledge can be used to guide the design of HA-containing biomaterials to better utilize the natural response to HAs.

Nonsurgical periocular rejuvenation: advanced cosmetic uses of neuromodulators and fillers

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review the current literature regarding aesthetic enhancement using facial neuromodulators and fillers and to present advanced techniques using facial injectables for periocular rejuvenation.

RECENT FINDINGS

The authors provide a summary of traditional periocular locations for the injection of neuromodulators and dermal fillers. The authors also present novel and advanced techniques utilizing injectables in the periocular region.

SUMMARY

Minimally invasive procedures with little-to-no recovery time are continuing to increase in popularity. Neuromodulators and hyaluronic acid gel fillers have been shown to be well tolerated and efficacious nonsurgical alternatives in periocular rejuvenation.

Clinical data on injectable tissue fillers: a review

Treatment with injectable tissue fillers for aesthetic purposes is increasingly popular. In parallel with this success, questions related to the safety of these treatments and the products involved are being raised more prominently. To gain insight in the safety aspects of injectable tissue fillers, we performed a literature review to collect studies reporting clinical data of injectable tissue fillers. We found several case reports where serious complications after more than three years are described. However, there are only a limited number of well-defined prospective clinical studies available with follow-up periods longer than three years. Furthermore, causes of complications, that is, treatment or product related, are often not specified in literature. Considering the intended functional period of fillers in combination with the known occurrence of long-term complications, there is a need for well-defined prospective clinical studies. In order to be able to discriminate between product failure (a product safety issue) or application methodology (a physician expertise or training issue), better identification of observed complications and whether they are product or treatment related, is needed. For the safe use of the fillers it is important that treatment with injectable tissue fillers is performed by a trained physician, who knows the product specifications and its applications.

[A case of nasal tip necrosis after hyaluronic acid injection]

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is the most used dermal filler. Some complications associated with its use have been described, but most of them are rare and benign. We report an exceptional case of skin necrosis of the tip of the nose, in a 22-year-old patient, after HA injection. The initial appearance may occurred subsequent aesthetic sequels. After necrotic tissue excision, patient was followed in rapid succession. Daily local care has led to wound healing, without any important sequel. This rare complication reminds us that HA injections are not without risk, despite their apparent simplicity of use. Moreover, the case presented confirms the potential healing of the nasal tip, allowing treatment with wound healing, rather than other early invasive procedure.

Review of Facial Fillers and Injectable Neurotoxins

Introduction:

Noninvasive cosmetic techniques continue to increase in popularity. In particular, dermal fillers and botulinum toxin injectables have consistently shown a rise in demand. Pharmaceutical companies have spent millions of dollars to develop these products to produce more achievable, predictable, and long-lasting results. As a result, multiple products were developed that differ in their physical and chemical properties. By understanding these characteristics, the cosmetic surgeon will achieve more safe and reliable results.

Materials and Methods:

A literature search on dermal fillers and botulinum toxin injectable treatments was completed from 2005 to 2013.

Results:

Injectables are a great resource for clinicians to improve a patient's appearance in a short time with relatively little discomfort to the patient. With a rise in the number of patients requesting these treatments, it is crucial that the surgeon and patient are aware of all of the risks and benefits of treatment. As the quest for the youthful image continues in our society, anti-aging therapies will continue to improve.

Conclusions:

Patients and cosmetic surgeons will continue to work with these and more advanced products as they are approved. With proper training and experience, the surgeon should be able to provide treatments that consistently benefit their patients. It is the purpose of the paper to provide the cosmetic surgeon with a description of the current products available as well as the complications that can arise when using these materials.

Effectiveness of topical anesthetics on reducing tactile sensitivity in the paws of newborn rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of three local, topical anesthetics on touch response thresholds of the paws of 1-day-old rats. Touch response thresholds were measured using Semmes Weinstein monofilaments after treatment of the paws with EMLA (2.5% lidocaine and 2.5% prilocaine), alcaine (.5% proparacaine), triocaine (20% benzocaine, 6% lidocaine, and 4% tetracaine), or petroleum jelly (treatment control). Touch thresholds significantly increased after treatment with EMLA 18% of the time, and there was no evidence of a systemic effect. Touch thresholds were not significantly altered after treatment with alcaine, triocaine, or petroleum jelly. Therefore, EMLA appears to be a slightly effective topical anesthetic for reducing tactile sensitivity in newborn rats.

Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers: can adjunctive lidocaine improve patient satisfaction without decreasing efficacy or duration?

Hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers are the most widely used injectables to augment facial volume without surgery. HA dermal fillers are popular because of their ease of administration, predictable effectiveness, good safety profile, and quick patient recovery. The most common patient complaint is pain. Our goal is to review the current literature on HA fillers and compare outcomes with and without lidocaine. We found adjunctive lidocaine significantly decreases pain during injection and postinjection with corresponding increased patient satisfaction. The efficacy and safety profile appears unchanged. Rare complications with HA fillers and those associated with constituents of the product, contaminants, and lidocaine are reviewed. The corrective effects of HA fillers are temporary; repeat treatment is required to maintain results. Minimizing pain is crucial to optimize patient satisfaction.

Transcutaneous lower eyelid blepharoplasty with orbitomalar suspension: retrospective review of 212 consecutive cases

BACKGROUND

Midfacial aging is associated with increased demarcation of the nasolabial, malar, and nasojugal folds; deflation of facial soft tissues and bones; and descent of the midface. The latter is primarily attributable to attenuation of the orbitomalar ligament. Traditional surgery of the lower eyelid and midface often requires removal of excess skin, orbicularis oculi muscle, and orbital fat, which can be complicated by postoperative lower eyelid malposition. The authors describe a novel adjunct to transcutaneous lower eyelid blepharoplasty that rejuvenates the lower eyelid and midface by reconstituting the orbitomalar ligament and minimizes the development of postoperative eyelid malposition.

METHODS

This study was a retrospective, consecutive, nonrandomized, interventional case series. The authors reviewed the medical records of 212 consecutive patients who underwent transcutaneous lower eyelid blepharoplasty with orbitomalar suspension. The aesthetic outcome, patient satisfaction, and development of eyelid malposition were evaluated.

RESULTS

Transcutaneous lower eyelid blepharoplasty with orbitomalar suspension resulted in improved lower eyelid dermatochalasis, contour, midfacial ptosis, and appearance of the nasojugal and malar folds. All patients reported satisfaction with the aesthetic outcome. One patient (0.5 percent) developed lower eyelid retraction requiring subsequent lower eyelid tightening. Three patients (1.4 percent) developed transient lagophthalmos from lower eyelid orbicularis paresis that resolved spontaneously.

CONCLUSIONS

Transcutaneous lower eyelid blepharoplasty combined with orbitomalar suspension is a powerful technique that can be performed concomitantly with facial rejuvenative procedures. Orbitomalar suspension addresses midfacial ptosis by restoring the natural function of the orbitomalar ligament and minimizes the development of postoperative lower eyelid malposition.

Advances in minimally invasive facial rejuvenation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Current cosmetic surgical practice for facial rejuvenation has undergone a significant change due to the introduction of technologies to improve the age-associated changes of the face. The most widely adopted methods of minimally invasive facial rejuvenation include the use of neuromuscular blocking agents and injectable fillers. The topic of minimally invasive procedures might include a variety of subjects including nutritional and hormonal modulation, light-based and laser-based therapies, minimal incision surgical procedures, as well as the use of botulinum toxin and fillers. The focus of this study will be on the minimally invasive facial rejuvenation efforts achieved by injection techniques.

RECENT FINDINGS

Botulinum A neurotoxin has been shown to be effective in the reduction of hyperfunctional lines in the upper and lower face. Anatomic areas that have been found to benefit include the glabella, the forehead, the periorbital area, lips, and the platysma muscle. The more recently introduced hyaluronic acid and other injectable fillers are receiving increasing usage. These temporary fillers have been found to improve creases and wrinkles, augment deep nasolabial folds, augment thin lips, and improve hollowing in the periorbital and other depressions and deformities.

SUMMARY

There has been a significant paradigm shift in the field of rejuvenation surgery. Injectable minimally invasive methods have been offered to remedy age-related and other acquired deformities of the head and neck region. These methods have provided temporary correction of undesirable characteristic that were traditionally approached with more invasive surgically oriented modalities.

A review of minimally invasive cosmetic procedures

In today's society the desire to maintain a youthful appearance has driven the development of minimally invasive dermatological procedures that are designed to rejuvenate the ageing face. The aim of this review is to present evidence for the use of techniques which can easily be incorporated into outpatient dermatology practice with low overhead expenditure. For this reason, laser and light-based treatments have been omitted. This review will instead focus on chemical peels, intradermal fillers and botulinum toxin. These techniques address the main aspects of facial ageing, namely photodamage, volume loss and dynamic lines, which correlate anatomically to skin, subcutaneous fat and muscle. A combination of such techniques will provide the practitioner with a reasonable portfolio of treatments for a balanced, holistic result.

Adverse Effects When Injecting Facial Fillers

Facial soft-tissue augmentation has become ubiquitous in cosmetic dermatology. In the appropriate patient and with appropriate training, fillers can temporarily eliminate rhytides, creases, and defects, thereby producing a rejuvenated appearance. Yet, even in the most experienced injectors, there can be complications. These adverse effects can be divided into early and late and range from bruising to necrosis. Understanding the anatomy, limitations of the filler and proper technique can reduce the risk of adverse effects. When a complication occurs, the practitioner should understand how to manage them from observation to surgical intervention.

Hyaluronic Acid Fillers: Restylane and Perlane

The list of injectable skin fillers available for soft-tissue augmentation is constantly growing, giving aesthetic surgeons more options in the treatment of scars, lines, and wrinkles. Various products for soft-tissue augmentation are currently available in the United States based on hyaluronic acid. One should keep in mind that for these hyaluronic acid gel to have the desired longevity they must have repeating chemical bridges to withstand the constant mechanical and chemical enzymatic degradation to which they are subjected once implanted. Restylane and Perlane have proved to be safe, effective, and liked by patients. The Restylane family of products is currently expanding and soon practitioners will be able to have a diversified arsenal of cross-linked hyaluronic acid products to rejuvenate the aging face.