Research shows objective metrics from 3D scans align with patient-reported improvements, providing a clearer picture of immediate and long-term filler results.
Initial and follow-up 3D digital scans are providing new insights into the effects of hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers in restoring facial volume and fullness, according to a study in the October issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
The research used objective measurements and patient-reported outcomes to track the immediate and long-term effects of HA filler treatments.
“Our study combines objective measurements of volumetric effects with patient satisfaction and other subjective outcomes to provide a deeper understanding of the immediate and long-term course of improvement after treatment with HA fillers,” says senior author and ASPS Member Surgeon Ivona Percec, MD, PhD, of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
Using 3D Scanning Technology
To evaluate the objective and subjective outcomes of HA filler injections, Percec and colleagues used 3D scanning technology (Vectra M3 imaging system) to measure tissue volume changes and the validated FACE-Q questionnaire to assess patient-reported outcomes, including facial appearance and quality of life. The study included 101 women, aged 40 to 65 years, who received HA filler injections for facial rejuvenation. Scans were performed immediately before and after treatment, and at a follow-up of two to 12 weeks.
Using a measure called tissue displacement factor (TDF), the scans showed an immediate increase in facial volume after injection, ranging from 56% to 125%. These effects diminished as initial swelling resolved. By two weeks, the effective volume (EV) was approximately 90% for HA injections in the lower and middle face and 70% in the lips. The authors note that the two-week results appear to reflect the “final effective clinical volume.”
At the 12-week mark, overall volume maintenance was about 66%. This varied by facial region, ranging from 79% in the midface to 63% in the upper perioral region and 37% in the lips. The researchers suggest these differences likely reflect greater volume loss in areas with more animation, particularly the lips.
Corresponding FACE-Q responses showed significant improvements in patient-reported outcomes. Patients reported gains in psychological and social functioning in addition to subjective improvements in their overall appearance and in specific facial areas treated. The study also found that volume maintenance was affected by patient-specific variables, including age, history of smoking, and body mass index.
The authors conclude that the objective data on volumetric effects, particularly TDF and EV, “should be consistently applied during treatment selection and patient counseling to optimize clinical outcomes and expectations.”
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