Beyond anti-ageing: dermal fillers now tackle therapeutic indications

Dermal fillers treatments historically aimed at correcting signs of ageing such as wrinkles and loss of volume or contour in the face and neck. The ever-expanding range of formulations available on the market have progressively broadened the scope of indications¹ . Going beyond the scope of anti-ageing and beautification, dermal fillers can now treat therapeutic applications with targeted volume restoration through minimally invasive modalities^2,3 . Continuous improvements in the understanding of facial anatomy have fostered innovation in the formulation of new hyaluronic acid soft-tissue fillers^4,5. The latter were manufactured with the goal of adapting properly to facial movement through viscoelastic properties that allows facial features to be preserved.

Teoxane has been at the forefront of said pioneering tailored formulations. With that in mind, it became inevitable that dedicated injections techniques must be provided to support natural facial dynamism^6,7 . Teoxane has put relentless efforts to meet clinical needs and expand to more than its anti-ageing first purpose. Dermal fillers can now be viable alternatives to surgery in specific therapeutic indications such as facial lipoatrophy, scarring, post-traumatic reconstruction, and facial asymmetry, as well as congenital or acquired facial deformities^2,8,9 .

Beyond beautification, soft-tissue fillers could therefore help to gain self-confidence and treat acquired conditions such as facial asymmetry. In the case-study treated in this article, a full-face treatment was recommended to symmetries bilateral facial volumes.

Among the two patients treated during the live injection demonstration in the AMWC Congress, the patient with congenital asymmetry was assessed with a thorough anatomy analysis to perform optimal volume restoration without affecting personal facial features. Tailored treatments were then injected to the upper face, midface, and lower face.

For each area of treatment described in the publication, the “ATP approach” is followed and carefully applied to assess the patient, delineate the dangers zones, and adapt treatment with the more suitable products¹⁰. A strong projecting filler was used in the midface, injected in static fat compartments, and delivered slowly in small boluses on the right side only to reduce the bilateral asymmetry. 

The same product was also used in the temple, aiming to put a stiff product very deep to push up the temples and lift the eyebrow. Finally, it was injected deeply in the pyriform fossa to avoid the superficial facial artery.
A more dynamic filler, was injected in the nasolabial folds to push down tissues on the left side that were exaggeratedly lifting the upper lip. A specific lip filler was also used to help tackle the elevated lip on the left side. Redefining contours of the lower face was the finishing touch of this full-face treatment as an additional treatment of rejuvenation and beautification.

The correction of facial asymmetries with hyaluronic acid, whether due to paralysis, surgery, or trauma, is a field that must be explored and deepen since aesthetic correction causes a positive impact on a psychological level. Treating these conditions can significantly improve a patient’s quality of life, social interactions, and mental health.

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