Duration of Effect By Injection Volume and Facial Sub-Region for a Volumizing Hyaluronic Acid Filler in Treating Mid-Face Volume Deficit
To examine the effectiveness of a volumizing hyaluronic acid (HA) filler (Allergan, Inc.) based on injection volume and facial sub-region when treating age-related mid-face volume deficit.
Methods/Technique:
In a multicenter study, 15 Treating Investigators across North America enrolled and treated 235 subjects with a volumizing HA filler for mid-face volume deficit. Subjects could receive a touch-up treatment 30 days after the initial treatment if needed to achieve optimal correction. Effectiveness was assessed on the validated 6-point Mid-Face Volume Deficit Scale (MFVDS) by 2 blinded Evaluating Investigators making independent live assessments of subjects at quarterly visits through 2 years. Duration of effectiveness was calculated using a Kaplan-Meier estimate of probability of maintaining a 1-point or greater improvement on MFVDS based on the average score of the 2 Evaluating Investigators.
Results/Complications:
Over 90% of subjects were treated in all 3 facial sub-regions: zygomaticomalar region, anteromedial cheek, and submalar region. At initial treatment the median injection volume of the HA filler was 1.5 mL each for zygomaticomalar and anteromedial and 1.9 mL for submalar. For the 83% of subjects who received a touch-up treatment 30 days later, the volumes were smaller (1.0, 0.6, and 0.8 mL, respectively) for a combined total of 2.0 mL for zygomaticomalar, 1.9 mL for anteromedial cheek, and 2.1 mL for submalar.
When duration of correction by injection volume quartiles was calculated for each sub-region, it was observed that for subjects who received a median of 1.9 mL in the zygomaticomalar region, the median duration of correction in that region was 19 months. In anteromedial cheek, a median volume of 1.7 mL led to a median duration of 24 months. In the submalar region, a median of 2.0 mL resulted in a median duration of 15 months.
Conclusion:
The volumizing HA filler for age-related mid-face volume deficit is effective, with approximately 2 mL in a facial sub-region providing correction that lasts 15-24 months.