Optimal Changes Seen in Patients After Treatment With Poly- l -Lactic Acid: A Retrospective Descriptive Study.

BACKGROUND: Poly- l -lactic acid (PLLA) is a biostimulator that enhances collagen production and leads to volume restoration. It became popular because of its improvement of facial wrinkles and long-lasting effect, although the specific visible changes it causes in the facial area are not fully described. OBJECTIVE: To identify and characterize the visible changes resulting from injecting PLLA into the facial area. METHODS: A list of 678 patients who underwent 2 to 3 treatments with PLLA injections in this center between 2021 and 2022 were retrieved. After 2 rounds of evaluations, 31 independent international evaluators described the 3 main changes they observed in the before-and-after images (taken approximately 7 months after the last injection session) of the 12 patients with the most significant improvement. RESULTS: A total of 1,015 descriptions were received. They were divided into categories based upon similarity. The main detected changes were better contouring and enhancement of the lateral face, a lifting effect and secondary impact on the nasolabial fold, and improvement of skin texture and skin firmness. CONCLUSION: Poly- l -lactic acid injections were judged to be effective for contouring, lifting, and improving skin texture in the facial area. Further research is needed to validate these results and create an assessment scale for PLLA injections.

The Safety and Efficacy of a Dual CO 2 and 1570-nm Hybrid Laser for Periorbital Rejuvenation.

BACKGROUND: Many modalities are used for periorbital rejuvenation, with a wide range of efficacy and safety. To achieve favorable outcomes with minimal downtime and adverse effects, professionals developed a hybrid laser, which allows simultaneous treatment with 2 wavelengths: fractional ablative and fractional nonablative lasers. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new hybrid laser for periorbital rejuvenation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective single-center study includes 24 patients who underwent a single-pass treatment with a CO 2 and 1570-nm hybrid laser for periorbital rejuvenation between 2020 and 2022. Patients' standardized clinical photographs before and after the treatment were assessed by 4 independent physicians for objective improvement. Treatment data, safety, and patients' satisfaction were also reviewed. RESULTS: Statistically significant objective improvements were found in all investigated scales with an improvement of 1 to 2 points on each scale. Patients' satisfaction was 3.1/4. Average downtime was 5.9 ± 1.7 days. Most adverse effects were mild to moderate in severity (89.7%), including erythema, crusting, pruritis, edema, and hyperpigmentation. CONCLUSION: After a single-pass treatment, the laser generates 26% to 50% improvement in the periorbital area, with a strong safety profile and a relatively simple recovery. Further research is needed to validate the efficacy of this technology compared with more aggressive modalities.