ART Filler Fine Lines Injections Provide Safe and Long-Term Aesthetic Improvement for Facial Wrinkles

Image Credit: © Dusko - stock.adobe.com

Regarding the treatment of wrinkles, investigators assessed the efficacy, longevity, and safety of ART Filler Fine Lines, a superficial hyaluronic acid (HA) filler with tri-hyal technology.¹ The injections, which were performed on the forehead, upper lip, cheek folds, and crow’s feet, were suitable and well-tolerated with results lasting up to 18 months.

The prospective, post-market, randomized, single-blind study included 196 participants aged 19 and older. A majority were female (n = 182) with an average age of 53.7 years. All had a score of ≥ 1 on the Global Aesthetic Scale in at least one area. 21% had previously used HA injections while 71% had no prior history of aesthetic treatments.

In terms of each patient’s treatment areas, the breakdown is as follows; 84 patients were treated in the forehead, 75 in the upper lip, 37 in the cheek folds, and 81 in the crow's feet. A mean volume of 1.1 mL was injected for the forehead, 1.6 mL on each side for the cheek folds, 0.9 mL on each side for the crow's feet, and 0.8 mL for the upper lip. This trial tested a single injection with no retouch.

Patients were evaluated at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 months, using the Global Aesthetic Clinical Score (GACS) system. A score of 0 represented no wrinkles while a score of 3 represented deep wrinkles, with a decrease of 1 grade indicating a satisfactory correction. Investigator and patient satisfaction rates were also measured using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS).

Significant improvement in wrinkle correction was observed across all areas. The forehead, cheek folds, and crow's feet showed an average score reduction of 0.9. Moreover, the upper lip showed a mean reduction of 1.1. These initial effects were first seen at 3 weeks but were maintained up to day 540 of the study. About 88% of the population saw a GACS reduction of at least 1 after 18 months.

There were also notable success rates at 18 months post-injection. In patients whose initial GACS score improved by at least 1 grade, there was a rate of 66% for the forehead, 88% for the upper lip, 56% for the cheek folds, and 57% for the crow's feet.

In terms of satisfaction rates, both researchers and patients saw an overall improvement in all treatment areas. Between 90% and 97% of participants were satisfied 3 weeks post-injection. This slowly decreased to between 41% and 62% after 18 months.

Overall, the injections were well tolerated with no severe adverse events. A total of 94 patients reported reactions, with most of them being minor erythema, edema, and pain during injection. Most of these local reactions are commonly observed with any HA filler procedure and were resolved within 3 weeks.

HA-based fillers are one of the most commonly used dermal fillers for face rejuvenation, with longevity lasting between 12 to 14 months, on average.² Currently, there aren’t many cross-linked, superficial HA fillers without any Tyndall effect or surface irregularities.

ART Filler Fine Lines combine 3 sizes of HA chains with 0.3% lidocaine hydrochloride, which could explain its efficient longevity. The soft texture and low volumizing properties provide good tissue integration while smoothing and plumping delicate areas of the face.

“The cross-linked portion of HA would persist in the dermis till 12 to 18 months and the Free HA will be slowly released from the formula,” the authors wrote. “It was recently published that a ‘Tri-Hyal’ technology-based filler could extend the subcutaneous adipocyte life and could be an excellent carrier of adipocyte cells to reconstruct and maintain the dimensions of volume loss.”

The results of this study confirm what was previously observed, in terms of ART FILLER Fine Lines’ safety and tolerability, while also recognizing its sustained long-term efficacy.

References

1. Cartier H, Deutsch JJ, Braccini F, et al. Long-Term Performance and Safety of a Superficial HA Filler With Tri-Hyal Technology on Different Facial Zones: Forehead, Cheeks, Crow's Feet, and Upper Lips. J Cosmet Dermatol. Published online December 20, 2024. doi:10.1111/jocd.16565

2. Narins RS, Bowman PH. Injectable skin fillers. Clin Plast Surg. 2005;32(2):151-162. doi:10.1016/j.cps.2004.12.002