Researchers Martina Kerscher, MD, et al, set out to analyze the safety and effectiveness of a cohesive polydensified matrix-hyaluronic acid + glycerol injectable (CPM-HA20G; Belotero Revive, Merz Aesthetic) in revitalization of early-onset photodamaged facial skin. They published their findings of the effectiveness of CPM-HA20G for skin hydration in patients with dry and very dry skin in the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (December 2021).
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A total of 159 patients (between 24 and 45 years old) with dry to very dry skin and early signs of facial photodamage were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to multiple or single-dose treatments with CPM-HA20G using computer-generated block randomization. The researchers assessed the effectiveness of the filler with biophysical measurments of skin hydration, elasticity, firmness and roughness, as well as investigator- and subject-assessed Global Aesthetic Improvement Scales (GAIS), FACE-Q Skin Changes and Treatment Satisfaction questionnaires. Baseline data was recorded at day one prior to any treatments, and clinical assessments were performed at day 1 and weeks 4, 8, 12, 16, 24, 32 and 44 for the multiple-dose group and at day 1 and weeks 4, 8, 16, 24 and 36 in the single-dose group.
The filler was administered into the mid to deep dermis of the lower cheeks with serial micropuncture technique. The multiple-dose group received a maximum of 2 mL (1 mL per side) injections per subject per side over three sessions at day 1, week 4 and week 8. The injections were evenly distributed over each lower cheek, with a maximum of 20 injection points 1 cm apart with 50 µl filler injected per point. Meanwhile, the single does group received a maximum of 3 mL (1.5 mL per side) per subject at day 1, and the injections were evenly distributed over each lower cheek, with a maximum of 30 injection points with 50 µL filler per point.
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Skin hydration improved from baseline in both treatment groups, which was reflected in all follow-up visits. The multiple dose group saw significant improvement at week 16 after the initial treatment (P = 0.0013). Investigator- and subject-reported outcomes showed that the majority of the subjects across all skin hydration types benefited from the treatment, and higher satisfaction rates were observed in the multiple-dose group. The investigator-assessed Global Aesthetic Improve Scale showed that 90.7% of subjects at week 12 in the multiple-dose group and 74.6% of subjects at week 4 in the single-dose group were rated at least "improved."
The authors concluded that CPM-HA20G proved to be safe and effective for use in facial skin revitalization among patients with early-onset photodamaged skin and this was demonstrated for up to 9 months after the last injection.
