Current Concepts in the Use of Voluma, Volift, and Volbella.

BACKGROUND: Hyaluronic acids (HAs) are very popular temporary fillers with a very good safety record. Improvements and adaptations in clinical use are continuing. METHODS: We have assessed the available literature to investigate the relatively new Vycross technology that uses a mixture of high- and low-molecular-weight HAs with a relatively low but varying HA concentration with enhanced cross-linking to produce a number of products that have differing clinical indications. RESULTS: Voluma has the highest HA concentration at 20 mg/mL, a high G prime translating into lift capacity and cohesivity keeping the product capable to lift vertically adding structure, form, and volume, whereas Volbella has much lower concentration at 15 mg/mL, a lower G prime and cohesivity allowing it to be used in more a horizontal spreading fashion enabling a superficial approach to lips, lines, and more subtle depressions. Volift at 17.5 mg/mL HA is half way between the 2 other products, allowing more subtle lift capacity but retaining an element of spread making it a useful agent for the perioral region in general and in the treatment of fine lines. CONCLUSION: A range of products has been released that allows different components of facial structure, volume, and lines to be adequately addressed.

Midface: Clinical Anatomy and Regional Approaches with Injectable Fillers.

The clinical approach towards the midface is one of the most important interventions for practitioners when treating age-related changes of the face. Currently a plethora of procedures are used and presented. However, few of these approaches have been validated or passed review board assigned evaluations. Therefore, it is the aim of this work to establish a guideline manual for practitioners for a safe and effective mid-face treatment based on the most current concepts of facial anatomy. The latter is based on the 5-layered structural arrangement and its understanding is the key towards the favoured outcome and for minimizing complications.

Upper Face: Clinical Anatomy and Regional Approaches with Injectable Fillers.

BACKGROUND: The use of facial fillers has been rapidly increased as the range of injectable products and indications continues to expand. Complications may arise from improper placement or technique. This article highlights the importance of anatomic knowledge when using injectable fillers in the face. METHODS: A detailed review of the clinical anatomy of the upper face is performed. Regional approaches are described using the applied anatomy to efficiently and safely augment the different subunits of the upper face. RESULTS: Key aspects of safe and successful injection of fillers in the upper face include a thorough knowledge of the location of fat compartments and neurovascular structures. Awareness of these structures enables the practitioner to maximize injections, while avoiding damage to important nerves and vessels. CONCLUSION: A detailed knowledge of the anatomy and properties of the product is paramount to maximize the efficacy while minimizing the risk of complications.

Lower Face: Clinical Anatomy and Regional Approaches with Injectable Fillers.

The use of injectable fillers enables facial sculpting through treatment of volume depletion and modeling of facial contours. Injectable fillers are among the most frequently performed minimally invasive cosmetic procedures.However, treatment of the lower third of the face can be challenging and requires expertise in facial anatomy. In this article, the authors provide a comprehensive review of the anatomy of the lower third of the face, highlighting danger zones. In addition, the authors describe their preferred approach and detailed technique used in the treatment of each specific area, namely the jawline, prejowl sulcus, melomental folds, and lips.

The evolving role of hyaluronic acid fillers for facial volume restoration and contouring: a Canadian overview.

Recent advancements, including more versatile facial fillers, refined injection techniques and the adoption of a global facial approach, have contributed to improved patient outcome and increased patient satisfaction. Nine Canadian specialists (eight dermatologists, one plastic surgeon) collaborated to develop an overview on volume restoration and contouring based on published literature and their collective clinical experience. The specialists concurred that optimal results in volume restoration and contouring depend on correcting deficiencies at various layers of the facial envelope. This includes creating a foundation for deep structural support in the supraperiosteal or submuscular plane; volume repletion of subcutaneous fat compartments; and the reestablishment of dermal and subdermal support to minimize cutaneous rhytids, grooves and furrows. It was also agreed that volume restoration and contouring using a global facial approach is essential to create a natural, youthful appearance in facial aesthetics. A comprehensive non-surgical approach should therefore incorporate combining fillers such as high-viscosity, low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (LMWHA) for structural support and hyaluronic acid (HA) for lines, grooves and furrows with neuromodulators, lasers and energy devices.

Treatment of facial lentigines in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome with an intense pulsed light source.

BACKGROUND: Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is a hereditary condition characterized by distinctive mucocutaneous lentigines and intestinal hamartomatous polyposis. The cutaneous lesions may be cosmetically disfiguring and frequently present a therapeutic challenge. OBJECTIVE: To determine if intense pulsed light (IPL) is effective in treating facial lentigines in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. METHODS: The IPL, utilizing a 590 nm cutoff filter, was used to treat facial lentigines in a 10-year-old girl with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. RESULTS: A series of 12 treatment sessions, each to different facial regions, resulted in complete clearance of lentigines in the treated areas. Most of the lentigines resolved after a single treatment, with a few areas requiring a second treatment. CONCLUSION: In this case, treatment with IPL resulted in dramatic improvement of cosmetically disfiguring lentigines. To our knowledge, this is the first report of using IPL in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome.