Blinded Evaluation of Hyaluronic Acid Hand Filler Injections and Effects on First Impressions

BACKGROUND The hands are the second most common body part visible after the face. In the aging hand, the dorsum loses volume, becomes uneven, veins become more prominent, and there is an increase in spots and wrinkles. OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of large-particle hyaluronic acid filler injection into the dorsal hand on first impressions. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ten subjects underwent filler injections in the bilateral dorsal hands with large-particle hyaluronic acid filler. Photographs of the hands were taken at baseline and 2 weeks after the optimal correction result. A survey to evaluate first impressions was then completed by blinded evaluators on defined categories of perception. RESULTS A total of 209 evaluators completed the first impression questionnaire. Overall, 10,032 individual assessments of first impressions were completed. There was a significant improvement in mean first impressions in all categories of perception and overall first impression scores. CONCLUSION Cosmetic treatments to the hands is a growing field with the use of hyaluronic acid fillers to restore volume, decrease wrinkles, and improve the appearance of prominent veins. This study revealed an improvement in first impression scores in all categories following treatment with large-particle hyaluronic acid filler to the dorsal hands.