Evaluating hyaluronic acid dermal fillers: A critique of current characterization methods

Abstract

Soft-tissue augmentation has gained much popularity in recent years. Hyaluronic acid (HA) based dermal fillers; a non-permanent injectable device, can restore volume loss, fill fine lines and wrinkles and add curves and contours. HA based dermal fillers entered the non-surgical treatment market in the late 1990s, however there is a lack of data and literature comparing the range of products and detailing the complexities of these products and how it relates to tissue performance. Measuring the physicochemical properties of these dermal fillers provide key parameters to predict their performance after injection into the body. This article reviews the currently reported methods and parameters used to characterize dermal fillers. The review of these methods and data from the literature provides a useful guide to clinicians and injectors in selecting the optimal product suitable for the needs of each patient.

Connections between cohesion and properties that related to safety and effectiveness of the hyaluronic acid dermal fillers: A comparative study of the cohesive and non‐cohesive gels

“…Our results of in vitro degradation model provide good proof of this mechanism (Figure 6). Despite the fact that the degradation behavior of HA fillers is also related to the HA concentration, crosslinking degree, and HA molecular weight, 13,25 we believe that the difference of the early degradation caused by cohesion is a key and influential step in the whole metabolic process. Here, we have to mention the case of dissolving the HA filler by injecting hyaluronidase to eliminate the adverse effect.…”

“…The extrusion force is an important clinically relevant parameter, which is typically positively correlated with the viscosity of a HA filler. Injection in an even and smooth manner may help reduce the risk caused by clinical injection 13 . The smooth nature of Hyalumatrix contributes to the more uniform injecting force as compared with the particulate Matrifill and Restylane (Figure 3), which may contribute to improved safety and comfort level of patients during Hyalumatrix injection.…”

“…More recently, the cohesion of HA fillers has been paid more and more attention 12–14 . The cohesion is described as the force between the internal components of a substance that acts to unite them 15 .…”

Prospective bacterial and fungal sources of hyaluronic acid: A review

“…The use of a filler based on poly- l -lactic acid [77] and polymethylmethacrylate [78] , [79] is efficient against face aging, but is associated with potential adverse events. The effect of dermal fillers based on HA, on the other hand, is temporary, safer and rarely leads to side effects [80] , [81] . HW HA injections stimulate the collagenization process and reduce the rate of atrophic scars [82] , [83] .…”

Biocompatibility and Efficacy of a Linearly Cross-Linked Sodium Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel as a Retinal Patch in Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Repairment

“…The HA-engineered hydrogel was developed using the patented technology, which utilizes the fluid characteristics of HA and guides the molecular structural rearrangement of cross-linked HA by providing a certain direction of stress ( Wei et al, 2019 ). Compared with the most commercially available cross-linked HA products, this patented technology does not include fragmentation or the sieving process ( Wongprasert et al, 2022 ), thus protecting the molecular structure’s integrity and improving the resistance to gel degradation effectively ( Wei et al, 2019 ). The resulting HA-engineered hydrogel was homogeneous and monophasic, showing oriented-arranged morphology.…”