BACKGROUND Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) is approved to correct moderate-to-severe wrinkles and folds and soft-tissue volume loss in the face and hands. More recently, subdermal injection using diluted CaHA has been used to improve skin laxity. OBJECTIVE To review evidence for the safe and effective use of diluted CaHA in the face and body and provide best practice recommendations. METHODS A global panel of expert aesthetic physicians convened to develop consensus-based guidelines for treating laxity and superficial wrinkles using diluted (ratio of 1:1) and hyperdiluted (≥1:2) CaHA. RESULTS Diluted and hyperdiluted CaHA stimulates targeted neocollagenesis in the injection area to improve laxity and skin quality in the mid- and lower face, neck, décolletage, upper arms, abdomen, upper legs, and buttocks. Treatment can be used as an adjunct to volume augmentation or combined with additional modalities for optimal results. Adverse events are related to the injection and include bruising, swelling, mild pain, and induration. In thinner and darker skin, too-superficial injections of less diluted CaHA can lead to more adverse events. CONCLUSION This report provides preliminary guidelines for the novel off-label use of CaHA for biostimulation in the face and body. Further trials will provide additional clarity regarding treatment paradigms for optimal outcomes.

Background: Calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA) is a well-established collagen stimulator. In recent years, it has been increasingly used in hyperdiluted form as a biostimulatory agent rather than a volumizing filler to improve skin quality and firmness in both facial and corporal areas. However, guidelines on the techniques required to achieve optimal results are still lacking. The objective of this study was to develop a consensus recommendation for the safe and effective use of hyperdiluted CaHA for face and body biostimulation. Methods: A team of 10 experts with extensive experience in dermal fillers and biostimulatory treatments for facial and body rejuvenation convened for a live meeting. Consensus was defined as approval by 70%–89% of all participants, whereas agreement of ≥90% denoted strong consensus. Results: For most items, the group achieved a majority consensus. Recommendations have been provided for the face, neck, décolletage, buttocks, thighs, arms, abdomen, knees, and elbows with detailed injection techniques, providing information on insertion points, dosages, and volumes for both needle and cannula injections as well as the number of treatment sessions and intervals. Conclusions: The expert consensus supports and provides guidance for the use of CaHA as a biostimulatory agent for face and body rejuvenation. However, further clinical studies are necessary to provide physicians with the best evidence for the best treatment practices.

Background The arrangement of the facial soft tissue layers is different with respect to the line of ligaments: medially oblique and laterally in parallel. Aims This split‐face study was designed to investigate the effects on midfacial volumization if the same medial vs lateral injection points are targeted in various sequences. Methods Twelve patients (3 males, 9 females; 46.67 years ± 4.5) were included in this interventional study. On the right side of the face, lateral injection points were performed first, whereas on the left side, medial injection points were executed first. The infraorbital hollowness score, the upper cheek fullness score, the global aesthetic improvement scale, and the injected volume were assessed. Results No side differences were observed after the intervention with P = 1.00 for all scores. When the lateral injection points were performed first, the volume injected into the medially located injection points (0.46 ± 0.26 cc vs 0.73 ± 0.31 cc [P = .037]), into the lateral injection points (0.79 ± 0.40 cc vs 1.15 ± 0.28 cc [P = .017]), and overall (1.26 ± 0.64 cc vs 1.88 ± 0.57 cc [P = .02]) was significantly reduced. Conclusion The results of the present study emphasize the importance of respecting the layered arrangement of the facial soft tissues when performing minimally invasive soft tissue filler injections. Targeting injection points lateral to the line of ligaments first reduces the volume needed to symmetrically and aesthetically appealing manner and volumizes the infraorbital and upper cheek regions.

Background:Age-associated skin laxity contributes to worsening of cellulite appearance. This study evaluated the effects of microfocused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V; Ultherapy) in combination with diluted calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA; Radiesse) on cellulite appearance and on neocollagenesis.Methods:Twenty women (18–55 years old) with skin laxity and moderate-to-severe cellulite on the buttocks and thighs were retrospectively enrolled. MFU-V was applied using 4 and 7 MHz transducers (25 lines/transducer/site) and immediately followed by subdermal CaHA injection (1 ml/buttock or thigh). Photographs at baseline and 90 days were assessed by 2 independent, blinded evaluators using a 5-item cellulite severity scale. One subject scheduled for thighplasty received treatment with 6 different CaHA dilutions (0.3 ml/5 cm2) followed by MFU-V. Tissue specimens from each dilution site were examined under polarized light microscopy to assess neocollagenesis.Results:Both evaluators reported statistically significant improvements compared with baseline for each item on the cellulite severity scale (P < 0.001) with a 4.5-point improvement in mean overall score (P < 0.001) after a single MFU-V/CaHA treatment. At 90 days, histologic analysis showed peak neocollagenesis in samples treated with the 1:1 dilution, whether with CaHA alone or in combination with MFU-V. The highest conversion of collagen type III into collagen type I at month 3 occurred in samples injected with 1:1 and 1:0.6 CaHA dilutions without subsequent MFU-V treatment. Both procedures were well tolerated, and subject satisfaction was high.Conclusions:Combination treatment with MFU-V and diluted CaHA is effective for improving skin laxity and the appearance of cellulite on the buttocks and upper thighs.

Objective The most promising facial region for inducing pan‐facial effects is the temporal region. The temple displays signs of facial aging itself which include temporal volume loss and increased visibility of the temporal crest, the temporal vasculature, the lateral orbital rim, and the upper zygomatic arch. The objective of this article is to provide a detailed review of temple anatomy pertaining to routinely performed temporal injection techniques, their expected esthetic outcomes as well as the intendant advantages, disadvantages, and procedure pearls. Materials and Methods This narrative review is based on the clinical experience of the authors treating the temporal region for esthetic purposes. The postulated outcome of each technique was observed during the routine clinical practice of the authors. Results The temporal region is based on a bony platform consisting of the parietal, frontal, sphenoid, and temporal bones. The overlying soft tissues are arranged in layers which contain the temporal neurovascular structures. The temporal soft tissues consist of 10 parallel layers which vary in their thickness depending on age‐related influences. Six different techniques will be addressed, which include subdermal and interfascial techniques for volumizing, low and high supraperiosteal techniques for volumizing, and supraauricular and temporal lifting techniques. Conclusion This narrative provides a detailed anatomic overview of the temporal region and describes each commonly performed injection technique with respect to anatomy, esthetic outcome, as well as potential pearls and pitfalls. It is hoped that the description contained herein may guide esthetic practitioners toward safer and more natural outcomes when treating the face.