Lifting the midface using a hyaluronic acid filler with lidocaine: a randomized multi‐center study in a Chinese population

Background: Soft-tissue augmentation of the midface is increasingly requested by patients, and hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are frequently used in treatment. Aims To evaluate the efficacy and safety of treatment of midface volume/contour deficit with a firm HA filler including lidocaine (HA(RL)). Patients/Methods: This was a 12-month, randomized, evaluator-blinded, controlled study. Chinese adults with mild to substantial volume loss were randomly assigned in a 3:1 ratio to treatment or untreated control groups. Results: A total of 148 subjects were enrolled. The primary objective was met; results of the midface volume scale (MMVS) rated by a blinded evaluator were in favor of HA(RL) at Month 6 (p < 0.0001 vs. the untreated control group). Similar to the MMVS improvement, improved midface fullness and aesthetic appearance was observed based on the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) up to 12 months by both treating investigators and subjects (at least 96% at Week 4 and 65% at Month 12). Subject satisfaction was high, and the majority of subjects considered the results to look natural (>97%). The study product was well tolerated. Conclusions: Midfacial treatment using HA(RL) was effective, well tolerated, and led to high levels of satisfaction in a Chinese population for up to 12 months.