Hyaluronic Acid (HA) fillers are the accepted standard for non-surgical correction of nasolabial folds and crow’s feet but clinicians are always looking for the new and improved options. A rigorous evaluation of new HA fillers infused with lidocaine reveals results comparable with currently available formulations.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is currently the most popular facial filler formulation used to correct the most prominent signs of the aging face; deepened nasolabial fold (jowls) and wrinkles around the eyes (crow’s feet). Viscos HA is injected into the dermis to fill furrows and maintain shape. It’s composition minimizes reactions and unwanted side effects, allowing HA to be safely used as a non-surgical option for correcting signs of aging in the face.
While many clinicians consider HA as the standard for fillers, it is far from perfect; subdermal injections of HA remain painful. Attempts to address this concern have led to newer formulations of facial fillers that combine the benefits of HA with the anesthetic effect of lidocaine.
To determine the potential of new fillers, dermatologists conducted a study to compare their effects with HA fillers currently available in the market. A rigorous, objective study enrolled over 70 patients at multiple centres across Europe. Eligible patients were given filler injections to correct either nasolabial folds, crow’s feet or both, and were followed up to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of the fillers. A split-face method was used to compare fillers; one side of the face was treated with a currently available HA filler and the other half with a new experimental formulation.
Neither the patient or physician was aware of which filler formulation was used on each side; blinding of both investigator and subject removes the potential for biases. Patients were followed up with 30 and 45 days after treatment. Using objective standards it was determined that the results are indeed comparable between the established and newer formulations. The study revealed comparable results for all the filler types in terms of efficacy (how symptoms were relieved) and tolerability (the absence of any adverse effects). Encouraged by this, further studies are now being done to evaluate results over longer periods of time, specifically at 90 and 180 days post-treatment.
If proven to have equivalent efficacy, these newer formulations may one day replace presently used formulations in the market. Not only do they address the look of aging, but also make it a much less painful process.
Written By: Jay Martin, M.D.
 fillers are the accepted standard for non-surgical correction of nasolabial folds and crow’s feet but clinicians are always looking for the new and improved options. A rigorous evaluation of new HA fillers infused with lidocaine reveals results comparable with currently available formulations.){kind=link}