Radiance

New injectable agents are expanding the role of fillers in facial soft tissue augmentation. Radiance FN (fine needle) is a new injectable filler composed of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres suspended in an aqueous gel carrier. CaHA has been used in various forms as a human implant material with an excellent record of biocompatibility. The early experience with Radiance FN suggests this agent to be both safe and effective in softening facial folds, filling depressed scars, and adding soft tissue volume. Although Radiance FN has been touted as a "longer-lasting" injectable, the true longevity of the product as a facial filler remains in question.     

Evaluation of the Radiance FN soft tissue filler for facial soft tissue augmentation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and patient satisfaction of Radiance FN (fine needle) (BioForm Inc, Franksville, Wis), a highly biocompatible, calcium hydroxylapatite-based implant, when used for facial soft tissue augmentation. METHODS: Ninety patients aged between 25 and 85 years underwent subdermal injection with Radiance FN. The primary areas treated were lips, nasolabial folds, glabellar rhytids, marionette lines, prejowl depressions, acne scars, and surgical soft tissue defects. Patients were surveyed after treatment and for up to 6 months for pain, ecchymosis, skin erythema, nodules, softness, appearance, and satisfaction. RESULTS: In terms of efficacy, at 6 months, appearance, softness, and overall patient satisfaction were rated good or excellent in 74%, 80%, and 88% of patients, respectively. Moderate or severe pain occurred with injection in 59% of patients but disappeared 2 to 5 minutes after injection. Erythema, edema, and ecchymosis were common immediately after treatment but resolved in all patients within 2 weeks. Seven patients had persistent visible mucosal lip nodules, 4 of whom required intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Radiance FN is highly effective and well tolerated when used for facial soft tissue augmentation. Additional experience with longer follow-up will help determine the most appropriate use and long-term safety for the implant.     

Human Histology and Persistence of Various Injectable Filler Substances for Soft Tissue Augmentation

An increasing number of soft tissue filler substances have been introduced to the beauty market outside the U.S. which lack experimental and clinical data in support of their claim. Ten commercially available filler substances were examined for biocompatibility and durability: 0.1 cc of each substance was injected deep intradermally into the volar forearm of one of the authors and observed for clinical reaction and permanence. At 1, 3, 6, and 9 months the test sites were excised, histologically examined, and graded according to foreign body reactions classification. Collagen (Zyplast) was phagocytosed at 6 months and hyaluronic acid (Restylane) at 9 months. PMMA microspheres (Artecoll) had encapsulated with connective tissue, macrophages, and sporadic giant cells. Silicone oil (PMS 350) was clinically inconspicuous but dissipated into the tissue, causing a chronic foreign body reaction. Polylactic acid microspheres (New-Fill) induced a mild inflammatory response and had disappeared clinically at 4 months. Dextran microspheres (Reviderm intra) induced a pronounced foreign body reaction and had disappeared at 6 months. Polymethylacrylate particles (Dermalive) induced the lowest cellular reaction but had disappeared clinically at 6 months. Polyacrylamide (Aquamid) was well tolerated and remained palpable to a lessening degree over the entire testing period. Histologically, it dissipated more slowly and was kept in place through fine fibrous capsules. Polyvinylhydroxide microspheres suspended in acrylamide (Evolution) were well tolerated, slowly diminishing over 9 months. Calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres (Radiance FN) induced almost no foreign body reaction but were absorbed by the skin at 12 months.Host defense mechanisms react differently to the various filler materials, but all substances—resorbable or nonresorbable—appeared to be clinically and histologically safe, although all exhibit undesirable side effects. Since the mechanism of late inflammation or granuloma formation is still unknown, early histological findings are not useful in predicting possible late reactions to filler substances. Presented at the 33rd Annual Meeting of the Association of German Plastic Surgeons in Heidelberg, Germany, September 21, 2002     

Injectable Calcium Hydroxylapatite for Correction of Nasal Bridge Deformities

Background  Minimally invasive procedures for aesthetic surgery have become widely popular, and facial soft tissue augmentation is one of the most common procedures. Various kinds of fillers have been used, and recently the use of calcium hydroxylapatite was extended to cosmetic facial procedures. This article presents the authors’ experience with primary and secondary nasal bridge correction using calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse). Methods  This preliminary prospective study investigated the use of commercially available calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse) for correction of nasal bridge deformities. Calcium hydroxylapatite was injected on the plane of the periosteum in a retrograde fashion using a linear, threading, fanning, or crosshatching technique. The patients were followed for several months, with the outcome and side effects assessed both subjectively and objectively. Results  Patients showed a persistence of benefit up to 1 year during the follow-up period, with pleasing long-term results. Conclusion  Calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse) is a useful injectable filler for correction of nasal bridge deformities. Further efficacy studies seem justified.     

Calcium hydroxylapatite: Radiesse

Among the array of choices for aesthetic soft tissue fillers, Radiesse occupies a unique niche as a safe, easily administered, "semi-permanent" material. Composed of calcium hydroxylapatite in a gel matrix, it has a proven safety profile and has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in the nasolabial folds and for HIV lipoatrophy. Radiesse have evolved quickly into a effective filler for moderately deep facial folds with high patient and physician approval.     

Radiance: Short-term experience

Over a 9-month period, the author has injected Radiance (BioForm, Inc., Franksville, WI), a soft tissue filler, into lips, nasolabial folds, glabellar creases, labiomental folds, tear troughs, and lateral jawlines in 130 patients. Here he presents his clinical findings. (Aesthestic Surg J 2003;23:495-499)     

Soft-tissue augmentation with calcium hydroxylapatite: histological analysis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate histologically the extent and character of tissue in-growth after injection of calcium hydroxylapatite for soft-tissue augmentation. METHODS: Prospective case series of 8 patients from a private facial plastic surgery practice. Each patient was injected subdermally between the dermis and the subcutaneous fat with 0.1 mL of calcium hydroxylapatite in the superior postauricular sulcus. One month later, 2 patients underwent excision of the injected material, which was submitted for routine histological evaluation by an independent dermatopathologist. The material was stained with hematoxylin-eosin and trichrome to assess new collagen deposition. One of these patients was reinjected in the contralateral postauricular sulcus. Six and 18 months after injection, 3 patients and 1 patient, respectively, underwent excision of the injected material, which was then submitted for histological evaluation of the degree and character of tissue in-growth and tissue reaction. RESULTS: The calcium hydroxylapatite particles were found to be surrounded by a lymphocytic infiltrate with multiple foreign body giant cells. There was no evidence of new collagen formation, migration, or heterotopic bone growth. Two patients were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Calcium hydroxylapatite is a stable soft-tissue filler that stimulates an immune response with lymphocytic infiltration and foreign body giant cell formation. We found no evidence of new collagen formation 1, 6, or 18 months after injection.     

Calcium hydroxylapatite gel (Radiesse) injection for the correction of postrhinoplasty contour deficiencies and asymmetries

OBJECTIVES: To describe our technique for the injection of calcium hydroxylapatite gel (Radiesse) to treat postrhinoplasty contour defects and to evaluate the agent's efficacy, duration of action, required dosage, complication rates, and patient satisfaction. Slight defects or asymmetries are not uncommon, even after well-executed rhinoplasty surgery in the most expert of hands. These contour deformities have been treated with filler agents in the past, but with mixed results. Calcium hydroxylapatite gel was recently introduced as a filler agent in facial plastic surgery, but its use has not yet been described in the correction of postrhinoplasty nasal contour defects. DESIGN: A prospective before-and-after trial conducted in a private-practice facial cosmetic surgery office. Eligible patients had postrhinoplasty contour irregularities or asymmetry. Postrhinoplasty irregularities at the nasal dorsum or tip underwent subcutaneous injection with calcium hydroxylapatite. Main outcome measures included number of treatments, posttreatment injection pain score, required dose and complications, natural feel, patient satisfaction, and length of follow-up. Digital photographs were evaluated by blinded observers. RESULTS: Thirteen patients were followed up prospectively for a mean of 2.5 months. The mean injection pain score was 1.9 (scale, 0-5); the mean dose, 0.19 mL. Patient satisfaction was good to excellent in 11 (85%) of 13 cases. Photographic improvement was seen in 15 (88%) of 17 treatment sites. CONCLUSIONS: Calcium hydroxylapatite gel has been shown in this study to improve postrhinoplasty nasal symmetry and smooth the curves and lines that constitute the contour of the nose. The longevity of nasal augmentation by calcium hydroxylapatite remains unsettled; long-term safety is also unknown. Long-term studies of safety and efficacy are indicated.     

Clinical Trial of a Novel Filler Material for Soft Tissue Augmentation of the Face Containing Synthetic Calcium Hydroxylapatite Microspheres

BACKGROUND: The ideal injectable filler should yield great, long-lasting results, be biocompatible, reliable, safe, easy to use, and inexpensive. Radiesse (Bioform Inc., Franksville, WI) is a synthetic calcium hydroxylaptic filler that has all of the above qualities. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of Radiese as an injectable filler. METHODS: Eighty-two patients who underwent facial soft tissue augmentation using Radiese from April 2003 to 2004 were enrolled in this study. Pre-filled sterile syringes were used to inject the material into the soft tissues of the face. At the 3 month and six month visits, the physicians and the patients were asked to evaluate the result. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients were injected with Radiesse. The most common area of injection was the melolabial folds. All patients were evaluated during the 3 month follow up visit. There was an overwhelmingly positive response to the look and feel of the implant, averaging 4.6 on a grading scale from 1 to 5, for the patients as well as the injecting physicians. Similar responses were found at the 6 month follow up visit. CONCLUSION: Preliminary data indicate that Radiesse is easy to use and effective with little or no associated morbidity.     

Effects of monopolar radiofrequency treatment over soft-tissue fillers in an animal model

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Monopolar radiofrequency (RF) treatment is used by physicians to tighten and contour the skin of their patients. In many cases, patients have received prior treatment with other aesthetic modalities such as soft-tissue augmentation or they may wish to receive these treatment modalities simultaneously. Together, soft-tissue augmentation and monopolar RF treatment have the potential to restore tissue volume and improve facial laxity. To date, no published studies have documented the effects of RF treatment directly over soft-tissue fillers. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined the tissue interactions of monopolar RF heating with five commonly injected fillers in a juvenile pig model. This is the first part of a two-part study. In this study, the interaction of monopolar RF and filler substances was examined over a period of 4 months. The five soft-tissue fillers examined were cross-linked human collagen (Cosmoplast), hyaluronic acid (Restylane), calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse), polylactic acid (Sculptra), and liquid injectable silicone (Silikon 1000). RESULTS: There was no apparent increase in the risk of local burns and no observable effect of RF treatment on filler persistence in the tissue. With monopolar RF treatment, an increase in fibroplasia and collagen deposition surrounding Restylane, Radiesse, and Sculptra was observed. When scored in a blinded fashion, the increase in collagen deposition was statistically significant for Radiesse. CONCLUSIONS: In this animal study, RF treatment had no observed adverse effect on filler collagen responses or persistence. Filler presence did not increase the risk of undesirable thermal effects with monopolar RF treatment. Further clinical studies are required to evaluate the effect of monopolar RF treatment over dermal fillers with respect to aesthetic outcome.     

Radiographic and Computed Tomographic Studies of Calcium Hydroxylapatite for Treatment of HIV–Associated Facial Lipoatrophy and Correction of Nasolabial Folds

OBJECTIVES This study sought to assess the radiographic appearance produced by calcium hydroxylapatite soft tissue filler (CaHA; Radiesse, BioForm Medical Inc.) following augmentation to correct the nasolabial folds or facial wasting associated with human immunodeficiency virus lipoatrophy.
METHODS A total of 58 patients, with either lipoatrophy or pronounced nasolabial folds, were treated with CaHA. Radiographic (X-ray) and computed tomographic (CT) imaging studies were conducted pre- and posttreatment in most patients; the images were sent to an independent laboratory to be analyzed by two evaluators who were board-certified radiologists and blinded to study purpose, product, and patient condition.
RESULTS While results for X-ray evaluation showed inconsistencies in visualization of CaHA, CT scans showed consistent visualization in nearly all cases in patients who were imaged immediately after treatment. In addition, the results indicated no obscuration of underlying structures by CaHA and no evidence of CaHA migration.
CONCLUSIONS Earlier clinical trials established CaHA as a safe and effective soft tissue filler. This CaHA study shows no overt radiographic safety concerns. CaHA is unlikely to be confused with conventional abnormal and adverse radiographic findings. The product is not always visible on X-ray. Although usually visible on CT scans, its appearance is distinct from surrounding bony structures and does not interfere with normal analysis. In addition, the product does not obscure underlying structures on CT scans.     

Trends in the Use of Neurotoxins and Dermal Fillers by US Physicians

Background: Demand for minimally invasive cosmetic procedures have led to an increased market of available products for facial rejuvenation. Objective: To characterize trends in the usage of aesthetic products, specifically the use of botulinum toxins and dermal fillers, by United States physicians. Methods: Data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey was analyzed from 1993 to 2010 to evaluate the use of dermal fillers and neurotoxins in the United States outpatient setting. The types of physician specialties administering these products and their preferences in products were characterized. Results: There were an estimated 100,000 annual cosmetic visits at which a dermal filler was administered from 1993 to 2010. From 2002 to 2010, there were 140,000 annual cosmetic visits for a dermal filler and 440,000 visits for a neurotoxin. While collagen was the most common filler used over the entire study period, its use declined eight percent annually. Hyaluronic acid fillers were preferred from 2002 to 2010, followed by calcium hydroxylapatite filler, representing 50 percent and 16.1 percent of visits, respectively. The leading neurotoxin was onabotulinumtoxin A, used at 87.1 percent of visits. Dermatologists were the leading specialty for the cosmetic use of both dermal fillers and neurotoxins. Conclusion: Providers’ preference for cosmetic products appears to be influenced by their familiarity with them, with products that first came to market, such as the neurotoxin onabotulinumtoxin A and the hyaluronic acid fillers being used most frequently from 2002 to 2010.The demand for minimally invasive cosmetic play a role in a provider’s preference of which specific procedures, such as the use of botulinum toxin and product(s) to use is not well studied, but is likely dermal fillers, has become increasingly popular. multifactorial and may include cost, personal experience, According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons potential adverse effects, and patient preference. Surveyed 2012 statistics report, there has been a 680-percent experts in Asia recently reported choosing soft tissue fillers increase in the cosmetic use of botulinum toxin type A and and injection techniques based on experience, with the a 205-percent increase in soft tissue fillers from 2000 to visco-elasticity of the product being the determinant when 2012 among plastic surgeons, with 6.1 million and 2.0 choosing a filler depending on which specific facial unit is to million procedures, respectively, being performed in 2012.1 With this increased demand comes the introduction of newer injectable neurotoxins and fillers.As newer facial rejuvenation products come to market, and as the number of minimally invasive procedures increase, it becomes increasingly important to characterize the current trends in aesthetic product usage. What factors play a role in a provider''s preference of which specific product(s) to use is not well studied, but is likely multifactorial and may include cost, personal experience, potential adverse effects, and patient preference. Surveyed experts in Asia recently reported choosing soft tissue fillers and injection techniques based on experience, with the visco-elasticity of the product being the determinant when choosing a filler depending on which specific facial unit is to be augmented.2 Choice of products is also dependent on the market; the United States market is more restricted in which products are available due to United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations compared to the European market where access to greater aesthetic product selection exists.3While the usage of aesthetic products for minimally invasive procedures has been monitored and reported by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, characterization of usage trends by other specialists commonly performing these procedures has not been studied and may differ from plastic surgeons. The goal of this study is to characterize trends in the usage of aesthetic products, specifically the use of botulinum toxins and dermal fillers, by US physicians.     

Injectable fillers for volume replacement in the aging face

In recent years, there has been a better understanding of the aging process. In addition to changes occurring in the skin envelope, significant changes occur in the subcutaneous fat and craniofacial skeleton. This has led to a paradigm shift in the therapeutic approach to facial rejuvenation. Along with soft tissue repositioning, volumizing the aging face has been found to optimize the result and achieve a more natural appearance. Early in the aging process, when there has not been a significant change to the face requiring surgical intervention, fillers alone can provide minimally invasive facial rejuvenation through volumizing. Multiple injectable soft tissue fillers and biostimulators are currently available to provide facial volume such as hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, poly-L-lactic acid, polymethyl methacrylate, and silicone. A discussion of the morphological changes seen in the aging face, the properties of these products, and key technical concepts will be highlighted to permit optimum results when performing facial volumizing of the upper, middle, and lower thirds of the face. These fillers can act as a dress rehearsal for these patients considering structural fat grafting.     

Unacceptable Results with an Accepted Soft Tissue Filler: Polyacrylamide Hydrogel

Background  

Polyacrylamide hydrogel, considered a safe and biocompatible soft tissue filler, is widely used in cosmetic procedures. Its use for facial contouring and breast augmentation in Iran has increased dramatically in recent years. Most patients and many doctors are unaware of possible and reported adverse effects related to its administration.     

Therapie mit injizierbaren Fillern beim Lipodystrophiesyndrom

The rapid development of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has considerably ameliorated the life expectancy of HIV-infected patients. Unfortunately the number of patients under long-term medication with stigmatizing facial lipoatrophy has increased and most affected patients want treatment to remove the facial deformation. During the last years numerous minimally invasive procedures and products have been developed for treatment of facial volume loss due to age or disease. Autologous fat, HA-based volume fillers, synthetic products as poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) and calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHa) and even non-degradable substances such as polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAAG) are frequently used for soft tissue augmentation in patients with facial lipoatrophy. The choice of the best product should be made in concordance with the physician’s clinical evaluation and the patient’s preferences. All procedures and products have a significant positive impact on physical and psychological well-being. All procedures require a comprehensive knowledge with respect to materials, injection technique and anatomical structures of the face.     

The utility of high-frequency ultrasound in dermal filler evaluation

Aim of this study is to describe the use of high-frequency ultrasound to ascertain the site, quantity, and type of filler injected in the soft tissue of the face, with respect to reliability of the procedure and the analysis costs. Between December 2006 and August 2010, 80 subjects aged 25 to 65 years, who underwent facial filler augmentation, were submitted to high-frequency sonography. Of total, 42 patients (22 after temporary filler and 20 after permanent filler) were healthy and satisfied of the treatment, and 38 patients sought consultation for filler-related problems. The nature of the injected filler was known in 86.25% of the patients, whereas it was unknown in 13.75% of the patients. Besides 4 patients, previously treated with temporary products, in which no foreign material was detected, high-frequency sonography was able to identify and quantify the presence of filler in the soft tissue of 97% of patients. Moreover, it was possible to detect inflammatory reaction (that were often silent), granulomas, and recognize the presence of diverse fillers in the same area. Ultrasonography has proved to be a useful, inexpensive, noninvasive tool for the identification of the site, quantity, and often even nature of the filler injected.     

两种方法修复半侧颜面萎缩面部软组织缺损的临床对比研究

目的 比较吻合血管的股前外侧筋膜脂肪瓣移植与自体脂肪移植两种方法,修复重度半侧颜面萎缩(PFHA)患者面部软组织缺损的临床效果。方法 自2013年09月至2015年12月,根据入组标准选取PFHA患者16例,分为自体脂肪移植组(A组,n=8)、吻合血管的股前外侧脂肪筋膜瓣移植组(B组,n=8)。所有入组患者用Mimics17.0、Geomagic studio 12.0图像处理软件进行面部对称性分析,计算面部组织缺损量,设计需重建的面部软组织范围,并进行手术治疗。入组患者于术后6个月来院复查,术后对两种不同方法修复面部软组织的临床各项指标进行统计。结果 两组患者术后面部对称性及软组织缺损均得到了明显改善(P0.05);临床指标比较结果:A组患者总手术时间、术后住院天数少于B组,B组住院次数少于A组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);满意度评分结果:患者术后满意度A组优于B组(P0.05)。结论 应用自体脂肪移植修复重度PFHA患者面部软组织缺损的效果良好,完全可以达到传统的股前外侧筋膜脂肪瓣移植的修复效果,且患者满意度高,值得临床推广。     

Migration of Implants: A Problem with Injectable Polyacrylamide Gel in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Polyacrylamide gel (PAAG) has been used as a soft tissue filler material for cosmetic purposes in Europe and China since 1997. The various complications of PAAG have been reported. A total of 15 patients who received PAAG injections at other institutions were treated for gel migration in the authors’ hospitals. During treatment, the authors found that the injected PAAG had not formed capsules within the muscle and was encapsulated only by thin fibrous tissue in skin and mammary glands. Consequently, the filler material migrated easily because of muscular activity or the influence of gravity, especially when the capsule was broken by incorrect massage or incidental force. It is suggested that PAAG should not be injected into muscular tissue or subcutaneous areas with active movement, such as joints and muscles involved in facial expression with thin skin. After years of gel implantation, the thinned capsule may result in an increasing incidence of this complication. Management and some clinical findings in relation to the complication also are discussed.     

Calcium Hydroxylapatite: Over a Decade of Clinical Experience

Background: Calcium hydroxylapatite is one of the most well-studied dermal fillers worldwide and has been extensively used for the correction of moderate-to-severe facial lines and folds and to replenish lost volume. Objectives: To mark the milestone of 10 years of use in the aesthetic field, this review will consider the evolution of calcium hydroxylapatite in aesthetic medicine, provide a detailed injection protocol for a global facial approach, and examine how the unique properties of calcium hydroxylapatite provide it with an important place in today’s market. Methods: This article is an up-to-date review of calcium hydroxylapatite in aesthetic medicine along with procedures for its use, including a detailed injection protocol for a global facial approach by three expert injectors. Conclusion: Calcium hydroxylapatite is a very effective agent for many areas of facial soft tissue augmentation and is associated with a high and well-established safety profile. Calcium hydroxylapatite combines high elasticity and viscosity with an ability to induce long-term collagen formation making it an ideal agent for a global facial approach.Aesthetic medicine has advanced greatly in the past decade in terms of our understanding of facial anatomy; the cumulative effects of the aging process; and how dermal fillers may be used to repair, reduce, and even reverse these changes. Initially, aesthetic practitioners were “chasing lines and wrinkles,” based on experience with bovine collagen injections beginning in the early 1980s. We now appreciate that a natural and more youthful appearance is dependent on reversing the cumulative effect of age-related changes both on the surface and in the subsurface tissues. For surface aging, restoration of textural and pigmentary alterations is of paramount importance; for the subsurface, restoring lost volume and shape is the key to the more youthful proportions desired by our patients. This focus on facial shape and volume to restore balance, symmetry, and the proportions of youth has led to the development and worldwide clinical use of an ever-expanding list of dermal fillers for treatment of facial aging.Dermal fillers as a category of implantable medical devices, consist of a wide array of products that differ significantly in their chemical composition, mechanism of action, duration, safety, and interaction with host tissues. Many different methods of categorization have been proposed, based in part on these differing characteristics; however, no single, universally agreed upon system exists to date. Of the proposed classification systems, one based on primary mechanism of action (MOA) first proposed by Werschler and Narurkar has been widely used.1 In this approach, dermal fillers are placed into categories of either collagen biostimulation or replacement volume as a primary MOA.In this schema, Radiesse® (calcium hydroxylapatite; CaHA, Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Frankfurt, Germany) is a unique product because it provides both replacement volume and collagen biostimulation as a primary MOA. In addition, CaHA is biodegradable and reabsorbed naturally by the host’s metabolic processes. This biostimulatory MOA, with ultimate reabsorption, results in a performance profile that is unique to Radiesse.CaHA is a highly effective agent for many areas of facial soft-tissue augmentation and is associated with a well-established safety profile.2 The year 2013 marked a decade of Radiesse technology, which first received EU approval in 2003 for plastic and reconstructive surgery, including deep dermal and subdermal soft tissue augmentation of the facial area. In the intervening years, the range of uses for CaHA has evolved alongside developments in the field of aesthetic medicine from a surface-oriented two-dimensional approach, concentrating on removal of facial lines and folds, to a three-dimensional approach that also addresses both soft and hard tissue volume loss in both the face and the hands.3With the popularity of dermal fillers demonstrated by increasing numbers of treated patients, public awareness and acceptance of nonsurgical enhancement has greatly increased the treatment options available. Along with botulinum toxin injections and energy-based devices, fillers are the mainstay of most medical aesthetic clinics. With increasing patient demand and the increased availability of aesthetic providers, private practices have become more competitive. Patient retention is now a major objective of most aesthetic businesses. Patient satisfaction is a key element for patient retention and requires a portfolio of safe and effective products. Long-term clinical experience, clinical research, peer-reviewed publications and regulatory approvals have combined to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of CaHA. The product has been evolved to meet the demands of a continuum of aesthetic care in terms of enhancement of youthful patients (ages 25-35); early prevention, rejuvenation, and volume restoration for patients in the middle decades of life (35-55); and for the delay and maintenance as part of restoration for mature (55-75+) patients as well.In this tenth anniversary year, the authors consider the historical milestones of CaHA in aesthetic medicine, propose a protocol for a global facial approach using CaHA, and look at how its unique properties provide it with a place in today’s market and keep it at the forefront of modern aesthetic treatments. Throughout this publication, reference is made to labeled and off-label indications, techniques, and dilution protocols performed by experts in the field of aesthetic medicine. The reader is reminded that some of these are not approved by regulatory authorities and are not endorsed by Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH.     

Effect of monopolar radiofrequency treatment over soft-tissue fillers in an animal model: part 2

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Monopolar radiofrequency (RF) treatment is used by physicians to heat skin and promote tissue tightening and contouring. Cosmetic fillers are used to soften deep facial lines and wrinkles. Patients who have had dermal fillers implanted may also benefit from or are candidates for monopolar RF skin tightening. This study examined the effect of RF treatment on various dermal filler substances. This is the second part of a two-part study. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: A juvenile farm pig was injected with dermal fillers including cross-linked human collagen (Cosmoplast), polylactic acid (PLA) (Sculptra), liquid injectable silicone (Silikon 1000), calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) (Radiesse), and hyaluronic acid (Restylane). Skin injected with dermal fillers was RF-treated using a 1.5-cm2 treatment tip and treatment levels typically used in the clinical setting. Fillers were examined histologically 5 days, 2 weeks, or 1 month after treatment. Histological specimens were scored for inflammatory response, foreign body response, and fibrosis in order to assess the effect of treatment on early filler processes, such as inflammation and encapsulation. RESULTS: Each filler substance produced a characteristic inflammatory response. No immediate thermal effect of RF treatment was observed histologically. RF treatment resulted in statistically significant increases in the inflammatory, foreign body, and fibrotic responses associated with the filler substances. CONCLUSIONS: Monopolar RF treatment levels that are typically used in the clinical setting were employed in this animal study. RF treatment resulted in measurable and statistically significant histological changes associated with the various filler materials. Additional clinical and histological studies are required to determine the optimal timing of monopolar RF treatment and filler placement for maximal potential aesthetic outcome.