Clinical experience of poly-L-lactic acid injections for body contouring treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Clinical data on body contouring with injectable poly-L-lactic acid are sparsely reported in published literature. This study describes the lead author's clinical experience using injectable poly-L-lactic acid for body contouring in various anatomic locations. METHODS: Twenty consecutive patients undergoing body contouring treatments with poly-L-lactic acid were prospectively followed. All treatments were performed at a single clinic between February 2017 and February 2019. Treatment details such as reconstitution, injection volume and dosage were documented. Treatment response was assessed independently by patients and the treating physician. Adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty patients (85% women) received injectable poly-L-lactic acid for body contouring treatments such as buttocks volumization, cellulite and skin quality treatment. In most patients (65%), poly-L-lactic acid was administered to correct postsurgical soft tissue deformities. Overall, patients had a mean of 5.1 treatment sessions in a mean of 1.4 anatomic locations. The most commonly treated anatomic locations were buttocks (58% of treatment sessions), thighs (20%) and abdomen (9%). Dosage and injection volume varied between patients depending on anatomic location and desired outcome. Most treatment sessions (86%) resulted in improvement of the treated area. Adverse events included bruising, oedema, numbness and tenderness. Nodule formation was recorded for one patient (5%). CONCLUSION: According to the lead author's clinical experience, poly-L-lactic acid injection is well tolerated and can achieve good aesthetic outcomes when used for body contouring in appropriate patients. Preliminary data suggest that poly-L-lactic acid injection may be a viable nonsurgical technique for correcting postsurgical soft tissue deformities.

A Randomized, Controlled, Evaluator-Blinded, Multi-Center Study of Hyaluronic Acid Filler Effectiveness and Safety in Lip Fullness Augmentation.

BACKGROUND: HARK was recently approved in the US for lip augmentation and correction of upper perioral rhytids. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate noninferiority of HARK versus a control (HAJV) in lip fullness augmentation at Week 8 after last injection (blinded evaluation). Secondary objectives were to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of HARK in lip fullness augmentation and correction of upper perioral rhytids. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Treatment with HARK or control (randomized 2:1) was administered on Day 1 in this 48-week, evaluator-blinded study with optional touch-up at Week 4. Primary endpoint was change from baseline to Week 8 in lip fullness. Secondary endpoints included lip fullness, wrinkle severity, aesthetic improvement, subject satisfaction, adverse events, and local tolerability (subject diary entries). RESULTS: The primary objective was met; HARK was noninferior to control in lip fullness augmentation at Week 8. Lip fullness and wrinkle severity improvement persisted at Week 48, and was accompanied by high aesthetic improvement and subject satisfaction scores. The mean volume of HARK injected was approximately 20% lower than control. Treatment-related adverse events and local tolerability symptoms were predominantly mild and transient. CONCLUSION: HARK was noninferior to control in lip fullness augmentation at Week 8, well-tolerated, and effective throughout this 48-week study.

Repeated Full-Face Aesthetic Combination Treatment With AbobotulinumtoxinA, Hyaluronic Acid Filler, and Skin-Boosting Hyaluronic Acid After Monotherapy With AbobotulinumtoxinA or Hyaluronic Acid Filler.

BACKGROUND: Full-face aesthetic treatment involving several treatment modalities may improve facial aesthetic outcome. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical outcomes and patient perceptions of monotherapy with either abobotulinumtoxinA (ABO) or hyaluronic acid (HA) filler followed by full-face combination treatments of ABO, HA filler, and skin-boosting HA (RSB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects aged 35 to 50 years were randomized to monotherapy with 50 s.U ABO in the glabella or ≤1 mL HA filler in the nasolabial folds (NLFs)/cheeks. At Month 6 and Month 12, all subjects received combination treatment with ≤50 s.U ABO in the glabella, ≤2 mL HA filler in the NLFs/cheeks (and other facial areas as applicable), and ≤1 mL RSB (additional RSB treatment at Month 7). Assessments included global facial aesthetic appearance and improvement, first impression, perceived age, wrinkle severity, satisfaction questionnaires, and adverse events. RESULTS: Repeated full-face combination treatment with ABO, HA filler, and RSB was associated with considerably higher levels of aesthetic improvement and subject satisfaction than monotherapy with ABO or HA filler. Improvement rate of glabellar lines was increasing with each treatment. CONCLUSION: Repeated combination treatment achieved greater change in global facial aesthetic appearance than monotherapy. Aesthetic improvement and subject satisfaction was high and increased with each treatment. All treatments were well tolerated.

Efficacy, Safety, and Subject Satisfaction After AbobotulinumtoxinA Treatment of Upper Facial Lines.

BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxins are the treatment of choice for wrinkles in the upper third of the face. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and subject satisfaction of abobotulinumtoxinA (ABO) for treatment of upper facial lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects aged 35 to 50 years with moderate-to-severe upper facial lines were included in this study. Subjects received a maximum of 125 s.U. ABO in at least 2 indications with optional touch-up after 2 weeks. Assessments included wrinkle severity, global aesthetic improvement, subject satisfaction, and adverse events (AEs) 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment. RESULTS: At Month 1, 100, 94, and 93% of subjects were responders in dynamic glabellar, lateral canthal, and forehead lines, respectively. All subjects were improved 1 month after treatment, and the majority of the subjects were still improved after 6 months. After treatment, most subjects were satisfied with the appearance of their face, felt better about themselves, and agreed that the treatment made them look the way they feel. Seven subjects (22%) had 8 ABO-related AEs (mild-moderate); headache was most commonly reported (9%). CONCLUSION: AbobotulinumtoxinA effectively treated upper facial lines, with high patient satisfaction. Treatment was generally well-tolerated.

An 18-Month Follow-up, Randomized Comparison of Effectiveness and Safety of Two Hyaluronic Acid Fillers for Treatment of Moderate Nasolabial Folds.

BACKGROUND: Hyaluronic acid (HA) filler injection is a popular nonsurgical aesthetic procedure. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness and safety of 2 hyaluronic acid fillers (HAEC and HARES) for treatment of moderate nasolabial folds (NLFs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an evaluator- and subject-blinded split-face study. HAEC or HARES was randomly assigned to the left or right NLF at baseline. Retreatment was performed after 9 months; follow-up extended to 18 months after baseline (9 months after retreatment). Effectiveness assessments included the Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS) and subject preference. Safety assessments included adverse events (AEs) and local tolerability symptoms recorded by subjects during 3 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: HAEC was noninferior to HARES measured as mean change from baseline in WSRS score at 6 months. Mean WSRS score change from baseline was similar between products up to 18 months. A majority of subjects (>70%) were still responders at 18 months (after retreatment at 9 months). The volume required at retreatment was approximately two-thirds of that at baseline. There was no difference in subject preference between products. Both fillers were well tolerated and associated with few treatment-related AEs. CONCLUSION: HAEC and HARES were effective and well tolerated for treatment of moderate NLFs.

A 12-Month Follow-up, Randomized Comparison of Effectiveness and Safety of Two Hyaluronic Acid Fillers for Treatment of Severe Nasolabial Folds.

BACKGROUND: Hyaluronic acid (HA) filler injection is an increasingly popular aesthetic procedure. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness and safety of two HA fillers (HAED and HAPER) for the treatment of severe nasolabial folds (NLFs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an evaluator-blinded and subject-blinded split-face study. At baseline, HAED or HAPER was randomly assigned to the left or right NLF. The follow-up period was 12 months. Effectiveness was assessed using the wrinkle severity rating scale (WSRS) and subject preference. Safety was assessed by adverse events and local tolerability symptoms recorded by subjects during 3 weeks after the treatment. RESULTS: At 6 months, HAED was noninferior to HAPER (assessed by mean change from baseline in WSRS score). There was a significant difference in mean WSRS score change from baseline in favor of HAED at 3 to 12 months, and a majority of subjects preferred HAED over HAPER at 12 months. However, the overall responder rate was similar between products, and it remained high throughout the study. At 12 months, approximately 80% of subjects were still responders. Both products were well tolerated and associated with a few treatment-related adverse events. CONCLUSION: To conclude, HAED was at least as effective and well tolerated for the treatment of severe NLFs as HAPER.