Restoring long-lasting midface volume in the Asian face with a hyaluronic acid filler: A randomized controlled multicenter study.

[BACKGROUND] Hyaluronic acid (HA) filler treatment is a minimally-invasive alternative to surgery to volumize the cheeks. HA (Restylane Volyme) is a flexible HA filler suited to contouring and volumizing the midface.

[METHODS] This randomized, evaluator-blinded, no-treatment controlled study evaluated effectiveness and safety of HA for correction of midface volume deficit and midface contour deficiency in Chinese subjects. In total 111 subjects were randomized to HA and 37 to no treatment (control). The primary endpoint was response, on the blinded evaluator-assessed Medicis Midface Volume Scale (MMVS), at 6 months after last injection for the treatment group and 6 months after randomization for controls, where response was defined as ≥1-point improvement from baseline on both sides of the face.

[RESULTS] HA was superior to no treatment at 6 months, meeting the primary objective: 76% versus 8% MMVS responders, a difference of 68% (CI: 55.7%-79.4%, p < 0.0001). These effects were sustained in 51% at 12 months after last injection. A majority (≥96%) had improved aesthetic appearance of midface fullness at Month 1 (using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale [GAIS]), effects which remained in ≥80% up to 12 months. Volume change captured by 3D photography increased after 1 month to 3.6 mL (close to the total injected volume of 3.4 mL), and remained stable through 12 months. Over 97% reported satisfaction with results after treatment with HA. Additionally, HA was well tolerated, with no unanticipated related adverse events.

[CONCLUSIONS] This study showed that HA is effective and well tolerated for midface treatment in a Chinese population.