Longevity of effects of hyaluronic acid plus lidocaine facial filler.

[BACKGROUND] A new hyaluronic acid filler containing pre-incorporated 0.3% lidocaine reduces pain and enhances patient comfort. In vitro studies confirm functional equivalence with non-lidocaine-containing products, but only limited data are available on the long-term effects of lidocaine on filler performance in the clinical setting.

[AIMS] To investigate whether inclusion of lidocaine impacts the longevity of hyaluronic acid fillers.

[PATIENTS/METHODS] 60 patients with moderate-severe bilateral nasolabial folds received 24 mg/mL hyaluronic acid with pre-incorporated lidocaine or an equivalent product without lidocaine and were followed-up for up to 76 weeks.

[RESULTS] Significantly better results were found in favor of HA gel with pre-incorporated lidocaine for physician assessment of injection pain and patient pain assessment after injection (both P < 0.001). Long-term follow-up of patients after almost a year showed that 91% (52/57) of patients had no evidence of facial asymmetry, and investigators confirmed lidocaine had no effect on filler longevity. High levels of patient satisfaction and prolonged benefits due to persistence of the product were noted, with those patients needing additional treatment requiring 'top-up' rather than full re-treatment.

[CONCLUSIONS] The addition of 0.3% lidocaine does not affect product longevity and the small volume required for 'touch-up' also suggests that longevity is maintained.