Efficacy and Safety of "LMW - CL - HA - FACE/BODY" for the Augmentation of the Cheeks

Brief Summary

Midface volume loss is a typical sign of facial aging. Age-related loss of subcutaneous fullness in the malar prominence results in a less healthy facial proportion. Indeed, the primary goal in any rejuvenation procedure should be to restore the balanced distribution of facial fullness that characterizes the youthful face. Rejuvenating treatments of the cheeks have a significant effect on an overall appearance and on neighbouring periorbital area, making additional treatments unnecessary. Innovative techniques to restore volume loss in the cheeks include the use of hyaluronic acid (HA) volumizing fillers created for facial sculpting. The result of such treatments is a harmonic and natural look, because the technique respects the physiologic alterations occurring during aging. HA is a natural and unbranched polymer belonging to a group of heteropolysaccharides named glycosaminoglycans. The primary structure of HA is a linear chain containing repeating disaccharide units linked by beta 1,4-glycosidic bonds. Each disaccharide consists of N-acetyl-d-glucosamine and d-glucuronic acid connected by beta-1,3-glycosidic bonds. HA is distributed ubiquitously throughout the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the skin. HA retains water to a remarkable extent; it is responsible for the hydration and viscoelasticity of the skin. As the skin ages, the content of ECM components, such as HA, decreases and this decrease directly correlates with volume loss, reduced moisture and increased rhytid formation. HA has excellent viscoelasticity, high moisture retention capacity, and unique hygroscopic properties. In addition to its properties, HA is well-tolerated, nonimmunogenic, biocompatible, and biodegradable. For these reasons it has been widely used in a variety of biomedical applications, including aesthetic medicine. HA-based formulations are normally injected into the dermis (as dermal fillers) to restore skin volume and minimize the appearance of wrinkles and folds. An ideal soft tissue filler should also provide an optimal balance of longevity, lifting capacity and ease of injection. In this context, "LMW - CL - HA FACE/BODY" is an injectable medical device indicated for the restoration of the physiological volumes of the face and body. The main ingredient is cross-linked HA of non-animal origin, produced by bacterial fermentation at low molecular weight (100KDa). The aim of this post-market, interventional, confirmative clinical investigation is to evaluate the performance and the safety of "LMW - CL - HA FACE/BODY" used as intended for the restoration of the physiological volumes of the cheeks