Validated Assessment Scales for Décolleté Wrinkling and Pigmentation

A hyaluronic acid-based micro-filler improves superficial wrinkles and skin quality: a randomized prospective controlled multicenter study

BACKGROUND

NCTF®135HA is a bio-revitalizing solution containing hyaluronic acid designed to compensate for skin dehydration, fatigue, and fine wrinkles associated with endogenous and environmental aging.

METHODS

We conducted a randomized, active-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of NCTF®135HA injections on the face (crow's feet), neck, and décolleté regions. Subjects were randomly assigned (3:1) to receive three NCTF®135HA treatment sessions plus twice-daily anti-aging moisturizer cream or cream alone (control). The primary outcome was the reduction in superficial wrinkles between baseline and Day (D)75 in the three areas, assessed by profilometric measures, clinical scoring, subjective changes, and tolerability.

RESULTS

146 subjects were randomized to NCTF®135HA (n = 107) or control (n = 38). At D75 and D120, NCTF®135HA significantly reduced wrinkles in all three areas and improved facial radiance scores compared with the control. Skin hydration significantly increased 7 d after the last NCTF®135HA injection. Self-esteem scales showed statistically significant improvements at D75 and D120 in subjects treated with NCTF®135HA versus baseline. Most adverse events were mild, resolved within 48 h, and were related to the injection procedure.

CONCLUSION

NCTF®135HA is an effective and well-tolerated treatment to reduce the skin signs of aging. The results are significantly superior to a routine anti-aging cream alone.(Funded by Laboratories FILLMED; ID-RCB number: 2018-A03167-48; clinicaltrials.gov number: NCT05609617).

Collagen Stimulators in Body Applications: A Review Focused on Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA)

The number of aesthetic procedures performed worldwide continues to grow together with an increase in the population seeking the restoration or preservation of a youthful appearance. Requests for non-surgical body rejuvenation are increasing. Patients are looking for safe and effective minimally invasive aesthetic procedures. Soft-tissue dermal fillers can meet these expectations. Based on the beneficial outcomes of these treatments in many facial areas, a new trend is developing to target body areas. Different dermal fillers are available and include collagen stimulators initially developed to restore facial volume. Furthermore, they are associated with long-lasting efficiency, a high level of patient satisfaction and a good safety profile, with mainly minor adverse events reported. In appropriate conditions of use, they are now used for body rejuvenation in clinical practice. Their use is expanding and allows addressing various issues including volume loss, skin laxity, cellulite, striae distensae and wrinkles. This review focuses on poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), used in the first collagen stimulator and one of the most investigated in facial and in off-facial body applications. The available published data, although still limited, are presented by body area, neck and chest, buttocks, abdomen, upper arms, thighs, knees, and hands. Key features of the concerned zones and the main clinical signs affecting the body part as well as the injection modalities are provided along with the aesthetic results. This represents the state of the art on which to base further developments necessary for optimal and safe outcomes of treatment with the PLLA-based collagen stimulators and others in this class for body rejuvenation.

Fractional 1,927 nm Thulium Laser Plus Photodynamic Therapy Compared and Combined for Photodamaged Décolleté Skin: A Side-by-Side Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Décolleté photodamage is a common condition typically treated with light and energy-based devices. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of a fractional 1,927 nm thulium laser (TL) alone and combined with photodynamic therapy (PDT).

STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a 12-week follow-up study, participant décolletés were divided into four treatment areas and randomized to receive a single treatment with field-directed TL, PDT, combination TL-PDT, or lesion-directed curettage control. All actinic keratoses (AKs) underwent lesion-directed curettage before randomization. TL was delivered at 20 mJ/mb, 500 mJ/cm² fluence, 5 W, and 8 (n = 6 pts.) or 16 (n = 6 pts.) passes. PDT was performed with 16% methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) creme incubated for 3 h, followed by red light-emitting diode light at 37 J/cm² . Outcome measures included clinical assessment of overall photodamage and specific subcomponents, assisted by optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging.

RESULTS

Twelve women with moderate to severe photodamage on the décolleté and a cumulative total of 184 thin grade I AKs were included. Field-directed treatments TL and combination TL-PDT equally improved the overall photodamage, mottled pigmentation, and rhytides compared with lesion-directed control (P < 0.05). The skin texture improved by TL alone and was further improved by combining TL and PDT (P < 0.05). Median AK complete responses were similar for field-directed interventions TL-PDT (100%), TL (90%), PDT (82%), and lesion-directed curettage control (52%) (P = 0.464). Patients presented with mild local skin responses, slightly more pronounced when combining TL with PDT versus individual treatments (P < 0.05). No scarring or adverse events were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The 1,927 nm fractional thulium laser is an effective, tolerable, and safe field-directed treatment for décolleté photodamage. Provided alone, TL proved to be as effective as combined TL-PDT for overall photodamage, while a greater improvement in skin texture was achieved using TL and PDT in combination. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Validation of a Photonumeric Assessment Scale for Grading the Slope of the Asian Forehead

BACKGROUND

As the number of aesthetic treatments has grown, so have the number of photonumeric assessment scales used to compare the effectiveness of these aesthetic treatments in specific anatomical areas; however, these are primarily based on Caucasian features.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the validity of the first aesthetic scale for assessing the slope of the Asian forehead. A secondary objective was to correlate this scale with subject demographics and baseline characteristics.

METHODS

During 2 validation sessions, 13 raters assessed full frontal and lateral facial images of female (n = 28; 56.0%) and male (n = 22; 44%) subjects. For each subject, the severity of forehead sloping was graded from 0 (convex forehead, optimal forehead volume) to 4 (concave forehead, very severe sloping). Raters also assessed the age of each subject and the estimated aesthetic treatment effort required to treat each subject.

RESULTS

Inter-rater reliability was "substantial" with scores of 0.67 and 0.68 for the first and second validation sessions, indicating high reliability. BMI showed the highest correlation with the scale and was a significant predictor in the final regression model.

CONCLUSION

This photonumeric assessment scale will be useful for assessing the slope of the Asian forehead in both clinical and research settings.

Validated Assessment Scales for the Female Asian Calf

BACKGROUND

Clinical photonumeric scales have been developed and validated to objectively measure the effectiveness of aesthetic treatments in specific anatomical areas; however, these are based on the typical features of Caucasian patients. No clinical scale for Asian calf appearance currently exists.

OBJECTIVE

To develop and validate a calf assessment scale for use in the female Asian patient population.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

During 2 validation sessions, 13 raters assessed calf images of female Asian subjects (N = 35) viewed from behind with feet flat on the floor (at rest) and on tiptoes (dynamic). Images were rated from 0 (very slim, linear profile) to 4 (very severe convex profile).

RESULTS

Inter-rater and intra-rater reliability were "substantial" (≥0.6, intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] and weighted kappa) for the calf-at rest, calf-dynamic, and calf summary score. Reliability was "substantial" for calf-at rest and calf-dynamic (≥0.6, ICC and weighted kappa) and "almost perfect" (0.85) for the calf summary score. BMI and calf circumference were highly correlated with scale ratings, and calf circumference was a significant predictor.

CONCLUSION

This new photonumeric assessment scale has value for assessing the female Asian calf, providing a standardized measure of calf appearance in clinical practice and clinical research settings.

Aesthetic dermatology: What's new, what's true?

Aesthetic dermatology (AD) is a rapidly growing subspecialty of dermatology. The acceptance of AD in scientific community and the society is associated with its competence, efficiency, and seriousness. This review highlights some recent developments toward new tools, techniques, and understanding in the field of AD. Analyzing the specific needs of patients and assessing the effect by objective measurements is important for further progress. For long time ignored, white adipose tissue has gained increasing interest in biology and rejuvenation. Characterization of dermal and subcutaneous white adipose tissue has made progress. The interaction of hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxyl apatite (CaHA) fillers with adipocytes could be responsible for clinical efficacy. New developments of oral collagen treatment and highly diluted CaHA to contour the body outside the face will be discussed. Submental contouring using purified desoxycholic acid is another new development.

Microfocused ultrasound in combination with diluted calcium hydroxylapatite for improving skin laxity and the appearance of lines in the neck and décolletage

BACKGROUND

Skin laxity and wrinkling on the neck and décolletage reveal age as reliably as the face.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the combined use of microfocused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V; Ultherapy^® ) and diluted calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA; Radiesse^® ) for treating the neck and décolletage.

METHODS

Subjects with moderate-to-severe lines on the neck and/or décolletage were retrospectively enrolled. MFU-V was applied using 7 and 10 MHz transducers followed by subdermal injection of CaHA diluted 1:1 with lidocaine solution. Photographs at baseline and 90 days were assessed by two independent, blinded evaluators using three scales: Merz Aesthetics décolleté wrinkles, Fabi-Bolton chest wrinkle, and Allergan transverse neck lines scales.

RESULTS

A total of 47 subjects were treated as follows: 29 (neck only), five (décolletage only), and 13 (both areas). Mean neckline score improved from 2.6 (moderate-to-severe lines) at baseline to 1.3 (mild lines) 90 days after treatment (P < .001). Mean décolletage scores improved from 2.6 and 3.3 (moderate-to-severe wrinkles) on the Merz Aesthetics and Fabi-Bolton scales, respectively, to 1.1 and 1.8 (mild wrinkles), respectively, after treatment (both P < .001). Both procedures were well tolerated with high subject satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Combining MFU-V with 1:1 diluted CaHA is effective for improving the appearance of neck and décolletage lines and wrinkles.