Facial aesthetics: Achieving the natural, relaxed look

Turn Your AART into a HIT Using a Complete Range of Aesthetic Injectables: Methodology for Combining Products to Maximise Patient Outcomes

Purpose

Optimizing outcomes of aesthetic treatments with injectable products usually requires a consideration of the entire face to ensure balance, along with combination treatments that align with the patient's goals. To help injectors, a method of assessing the patient and developing an individualized, holistic treatment plan was developed. This methodology is termed Assessment, Anatomy, Range, and Treatment (AART™) and Holistic Individualized Treatments (HITs™). This article aims to describe and evaluate the novel and systematic AART-HIT™ methodology.

Methods

The AART-HIT™ methodology, including its associated diagnostic tool the Facial Assessment Scale (FAS™), were developed to aid injectors in completing a patient assessment in which the entire face is evaluated, the relevant anatomy is considered, the science behind the available range of products is understood, and the treatment plan is individualised for the patient. Specifically, the HITs™ are methodologic tools for practitioners to perform a standardized, full facial assessment and to create an individualized treatment approach to holistically address a patient's aesthetic concerns. The use of this methodology in clinical practice was assessed via a survey, deployed to twenty-eight clinicians.

Results

Over 85% of participants agreed that the AART-HIT™ methodology was adequate for their needs. Additionally, 100% of participants agreed that the temporal sequencing of HITs™ and the FAS™ diagnostic tool was useful in clinical practice. Furthermore, over 70% of participants agreed that the anatomical locations identified in each HIT™ were sufficient, while over 80% responded that the HITs™ adequately represented the range of products. Finally, over 85% of participants agreed that the HITs™ covered different ethnic skin types and various patient ages and, over 80% of participants responded that they would not add additional elements to any of the 5 HITs™.

Conclusion

The AART-HIT™ methodology, including the FAS™ were comprehensive enough for clinical use in providing a personalised treatment plan for individual patients.

Assessment of the Efficacy and Durability of IncobotulinumtoxinA in the Treatment of the Upper Face in Adult Women

INTRODUCTION

IncobotulinumtoxinA (Xeomin®) is used in the treatment of dynamic wrinkles and the aesthetic repositioning of facial structures. The duration of its muscular effect typically extends for around 4 months. However, the residual aesthetic benefit can be observed for a longer period. To date, the long-term aesthetic benefit of incobotulinumtoxinA in facial aesthetics has not been systematically evaluated. This study aimed to evaluate longitudinally the duration and aesthetic benefits of incobotulinumtoxinA in the treatment of the upper face in adult women.

METHODS

A quasi-experimental, evaluator-blind, clinical trial involving 28 adult women (30-60 years old) with facial movement lines, undergoing treatment of the upper face with incobotulinumtoxinA by two injectors, following an individualized protocol (ONE21 and glabellar contraction patterns) was performed. Participants were evaluated on the day of the intervention (day 0) and days 30, 120, 180, and 240, and subjected to standardized photographs. The following outcomes were evaluated blindly at each visit: Merz Aesthetics Facial Contraction Scale (MAS), GAIS (Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale), and patient satisfaction. Adverse effects were evaluated at each visit.

RESULTS

Participants ranged in age from 30 to 60 years, 93% were self-declared white, and most of their baseline MAS scores for dynamic lines were moderate and severe. All the parameters presented significative reduction from baseline until day 180. At day 240, the dynamic MAS scores were lower than baseline for forehead lines in 15.4% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.8-30.0%) of the participants, for glabellar lines in 38.5% (95% CI 18.8-58.1%), and for crow's feet lines in 26.9% (95% CI 9.0-44.8%). Aesthetic improvement compared to baseline was identified in 35% (CI 95% 23‒50%) of the participants at day 240, and 62% (CI 95% 42‒81%) of the sample kept reporting some satisfaction with the procedure.

CONCLUSION

The aesthetic treatment of the upper face with incobotulinumtoxinA demonstrates enduring clinical benefits, and patient satisfaction lasting up to 180 days in most participants. The length of efficacy, which exceeded those reported in the literature, may be attributed to the use of techniques based on individualized assessment such as ONE21 and glabellar patterns of contraction.

Self-perception of natural outcome, appearance, and emotional well-being after OnabotulinumtoxinA treatment for upper facial lines: Post hoc analysis across age and gender

BACKGROUND

OnabotulinumtoxinA (onabotA) is indicated for upper facial lines (UFL). Fear of unnatural-looking outcomes is a frequently reported treatment barrier.

AIMS

Examine patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after onabotA treatment for UFL.

METHODS

A post hoc analysis was conducted on two 12-month pivotal studies of onabotA for forehead and glabellar lines (20 U each), with/without treatment of crow's feet lines (±24 U). This analysis used PROs from the Facial Line Satisfaction Questionnaire: Items 4 (natural look), 5 (treatment effect), 11 (met expectations), and Impact Domain (appearance and psychological impact). The analysis included 458 neurotoxin-naive adults achieving a ≥2-grade improvement in forehead line (FHL) severity on the Facial Wrinkle Scale at Day 30 (primary endpoint). [Corrections made on 28 December 2023, after first online publication: 'UFL' in the previous sentence has been corrected to 'forehead line (FHL)' in this version.] Data were further stratified into millennials and men.

RESULTS

At Day 30, 90.5% of all participants, 94.6% of millennials, and 85.7% of men were satisfied with receiving a natural look. Millennials had higher odds of being satisfied with natural outcomes at Day 30. This measure remained > 80% for all groups throughout the 12 months. Additionally, ≥80% were satisfied with the treatment effect, and >90% reported results met expectations. At Day 30, ≥50% reported positive impacts on self-perceived appearance and psychological well-being, but millennials had higher, and men had lower odds of reporting these improvements.

CONCLUSIONS

Participants achieving a ≥2-grade improvement in FHL severity after onabotA reported high satisfaction with natural outcomes and the treatment effect, with improved self-perceived appearance and psychological well-being. [Corrections made on 28 December 2023, after first online publication: 'UFL' in the previous sentence has been corrected to 'FHL' in this version.] These results may help aesthetic providers and patients address fears regarding unnatural results with onabotA.

Applying the MD Codes™ to Treat Emotional and Social Attributes with HA Fillers: A Retrospective Serial Case Study

Background

Aesthetic treatment directed at improving facial emotional messages and social attributes may maximize patient satisfaction with treatment results. The MD Codes™ is an approach to facial aesthetic treatment that accounts for emotional messages and social attributes while minimizing variability in patient assessment, injection technique, injection sites, and treatment outcomes.

Objective

To assess the impact of the MD Codes systematic treatment approach on emotional and social attributes and natural appearance after facial aesthetic treatment with hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed in patients treated with 12 mL of HA fillers (Juvéderm® Vycross™ products) per patient using the MD Codes. Study injectors, experienced clinician observers, clinical staff, laypeople, and patients evaluated impact of treatment on emotional and social attributes and natural appearance based on pre- and post-treatment photographs of patients.

Results

Twelve patients and 49 external observers, from 12 countries, evaluated the images. More than 90% of patients named "eye bags" as the facial area most in need of aesthetic treatment; >55% of external observers identified "cheeks." The top 3 facial emotional attributes noted by all evaluators after treatment were, in order, "less tired", "less saggy", and "younger." All patients reported a visible and positive change in emotional attributes except for "less sad." After 9 months, most patients reported looking "less tired" (n=11/12), "less saggy" (n=8/12), and "less sad" (n=6/12). At months 6 and 9, all patients rated their appearance as natural looking. At least 90% of external observers considered the frontal view results natural for all but 1 patient. Patients reported improved positive social attributes (eg, "looking friendlier") and improvements in well-being after treatment. No serious side effects were reported.

Conclusion

Implementing the MD Codes for facial aesthetic treatment may improve facial emotional attributes as well as enhance social attributes and well-being, with natural-looking results.

Treatment of Depression with Botulinum Toxin

Injection of botulinum toxin (BoNT) into the glabellar region of the face is a novel therapeutic approach in the treatment of depression. This treatment method has several advantages, including few side effects and a long-lasting, depot-like effect. Here we review the clinical and experimental evidence for the antidepressant effect of BoNT injections as well as the theoretical background and possible mechanisms of action. Moreover, we provide practical instructions for the safe and effective application of BoNT in the treatment of depression. Finally, we describe the current status of the clinical development of BoNT as an antidepressant and give an outlook on its potential future role in the management of mental disorders.

The Use of Botulinum Toxin for Treatment of Depression

A series of clinical studies have shown that botulinum toxin can treat major depression. Subjects suffering from unipolar depression may experience a quick, strong, and sustained improvement in the symptoms of depression after a single glabellar treatment with botulinum toxin.Preliminary data suggest that botulinum toxin therapy may also be effective in the treatment of other mental disorders characterized by an excess of negative emotions, such as borderline personality disorder.The mood-lifting effect of botulinum toxin therapy is probably mediated by the interruption of a proprioceptive feedback loop from the facial musculature to the emotional brain.

Impact of Comprehensive, Minimally Invasive, Multimodal Aesthetic Treatment on Satisfaction With Facial Appearance: The HARMONY Study

BACKGROUND

Individuals seeking aesthetic treatment have concerns regarding multiple facial areas.

OBJECTIVES

Assess the aesthetic impact and satisfaction achieved with a multimodal approach to aesthetic treatment using a combination of minimally invasive treatments.

METHODS

Prospective, multicenter, rater-blinded, 4-month HARMONY study evaluated patient satisfaction and aesthetic impact of a combination of fillers (VYC-20L, HYC-24L, and HYC-24L+), onabotulinumtoxinA, and bimatoprost. Males and females aged 35 to 65 years received on-label, staged treatment with fillers, as needed per investigator assessment, on day 1, with touch ups allowed on day 14. Bimatoprost was self-administered once daily for 17 weeks. OnabotulinumtoxinA was injected into glabellar lines, crow's feet lines, or both at month 3. Primary effectiveness measure was mean change from baseline on the FACE-Q 10-item Satisfaction with Facial Appearance Overall Scale.

RESULTS

Of 100 patients treated, 93 underwent at least the 4-month posttreatment assessment and were assessed for efficacy. The FACE-Q Satisfaction with Facial Appearance Overall Scale total score increased from baseline (41.2) to month 4 (72.9; P < 0.00001; effect size, 2.7). Improvement following multimodal treatment was observed on FACE-Q individual items. Self-perceived age decreased from 0.2 years older than actual age at baseline to 4.6 years younger at month 4. Nearly all patients (99%) rated themselves as improved or much improved on the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale. Investigator assessments also demonstrated improvement. Mild to moderate adverse events occurred in 42 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Minimally invasive, multimodal treatment resulted in improvements in FACE-Q scores and perceived age, indicating a high degree of patient satisfaction and a younger facial appearance.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4

[The satisfied patient in aesthetic dermatology. Consensus work on patient satisfaction in botulinum toxin A treatment]

Patient satisfaction is an important factor for successful therapy. Many consensus reports have been published regarding correct treatment with botulinum toxin A (BTX-A). However, the focus of most of these publications has been on technical aspects and the important topic of patient satisfaction was often only one aspect among others. The Swiss Group of Esthetic Dermatology and Skincare (SGEDS) pursued these questions in a two-day consensus meeting. Patients of aesthetic dermatology are healthy and therefore place higher demands in contrast to ill patients of medical dermatology. This demands a great deal of the physician, the practice staff and the conditions in the practice to accommodate the special requirements of aesthetic clients. Informative consultation and patient education are of major importance; this also holds true for clinical performance and care before, during and after treatment with BTX-A. This publication aims at finding ways to gain greater patient satisfaction in daily practice.