Evaluation of the Hydrophilic, Cohesive, and Physical Properties of Eight Hyaluronic Acid Fillers: Clinical Implications of Gel Differentiation.

Background

Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are used to treat an array of aesthetic indications. Proper filler selection is paramount for successful patient outcomes. However, many important physiochemical and physical properties that impact HA gel behavior remain undefined.

Purpose

To evaluate the hydrophilicity, cohesivity and particle size of eight commercial HA fillers manufactured by either Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid (NASHA) or Optimal Balance Technology (OBT) techniques.

Methods and Materials

Three individual in vitro experiments were performed to assess HA swelling capacity, cohesion, and particle size. Image analyses, blinded evaluation using the Gavard-Sundaram Cohesivity Scale, and laser diffraction technology were utilized, respectively.

Results

Compared to fillers manufactured with NASHA technology, OBT products demonstrated greater swelling capacity, cohesion, and wider particle size distributions. Strong positive correlations between swelling factor, degree of cohesivity, and increasing widths of the particle size distributions were observed.

Conclusions

The hydrophilicity, cohesivity and particle size distributions vary among HA fillers manufactured with different techniques. The creation of new labels identifying products based on their unique combination of physiochemical and physical characteristics may help guide appropriate selection of HA fillers to optimize patient outcomes.

Informations de copyright

© 2024 Enright et al.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

Dr. Kaitlyn Enright is or has been a consultant and/or speaker for Galderma (Lausanne, Switzerland) and Merz (Frankfurt, Germany). Dr. Andreas Nikolis is or has been a consultant and/or speaker for Galderma (Lausanne, Switzerland), Merz (Frankfurt, Germany), Allergan (Dublin, Ireland) and Prollenium (Montreal, QC). Dr Steven Weiner reports grants, personal fees, and non-financial support from Galderma, outside the submitted work. Dr Kalpna Durairaj reports event speaker honorarium and clinical study partnership from Merz Pharma, event speaker honorarium and trainer honorarium from Galderma Pharma, and event speaker honorarium from Prollenium (Revanesse), during the conduct of the study. The authors report no other conflicts of interest related to this work.