A Single Center, Prospective, Randomized, Sham-Controlled, Double-Blinded, Split-Face Trial Using Microinjections of Transparent Hyaluronic Acid Gel for Cheek Rejuvenation

BACKGROUND "Skin boosting" with injections of hyaluronic acid has been demonstrated to improve aged skin. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of small-particle hyaluronic acid with lidocaine (SP-HAL) microaliquots for the correction of fine lines of the cheeks. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty subjects with mild to moderate static mid to lower cheek rhytides were enrolled. The right or left cheek was randomized to receive 1 mL of SP-HAL using a microdroplet technique, with the contralateral cheek treated with sham injection of sterile normal saline. The degree of cheek wrinkling and elastosis based on the Fitzpatrick-Goldman Wrinkle and Elastosis Scale was assessed at baseline and 7, 14, 30, 90, and 180 days after treatment. Subjects rated their satisfaction at days 90 and 180. RESULTS Fourteen patients completed the study. There were no statistically significant improvements in wrinkling or elastosis of the SP-HAL-treated cheek or control cheek at anytime point. In addition, there were no significant differences in wrinkling, elastosis, or patient satisfaction between the treatment cheek and control cheek. CONCLUSION One treatment of intradermal microdroplet injections of SP-HAL to the mid to lower cheek failed to show superiority over normal saline in improving clinical signs of skin wrinkling and elastosis.