Study Shows Hyaluronic Acid Fillers Shows Lasting Improvement in Skin and Collagen Fibers

Recently a clinical study of hyaluronic acid filler injections found that there was improvement and skin remodeling following the procedure, as well as throughout a long follow up period. The study was conducted by Fabiana Braga França Wanick, MD, MSc, from the Department of Medical Sciences at Fluminense Federal University in Niterói, Brazil, along with her colleagues.

Study Background

Hyaluronic acid fillers have become an increasingly popular and important procedure. While many studies have indicated improvements in the procedure, a study of the effect on cells and tissue (histology) with supporting evidence had not be well documented before now.

The study wanted to evaluate results of HA injections and the effects on the skin at three and nine month periods after the injections. There were 20 patients in the study who had HA fillers injected in the nasolabial folds and preauricular (dimple or dented) regions. Biopsies of the skin with preauricular issues were done at three and nine months after the initial procedure.

Study Results

A total of 16 women completed the entire clinical study period. They were between 40 and 50 years of age. These participants showed improvement over a 12 month period. All 20 study subjects did complete the histology study. These evaluations showed that there was an increase in collagen fibers in the skin at the three and nine month points.

Overall Conclusion

Sustained clinical results of the study for HA filler can be explained not only by the presence of HA gel on the skin, but also by the dermal improvements caused by the hyaluronic acid fillers. “After this study, a correlation between sustained clinical improvement and skin remodeling induced by the [hyaluronic acid] filler may be proposed,” Wanick and colleagues wrote.

Dr. Thomas Wright of Laser Lipo and Vein says, “The findings from this study are very encouraging for the use of hyaluronic acid fillers. The fact that the fillers were shown to not only be effective, but long lasting makes HA fillers a great tool in our arsenal of procedures to enhance the skin.”