Patient-perceived Emotional and Functional Benefits of Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA) for the Treatment of Facial Volume...

Background: Facial volume loss can substantially impact self-perception of the affected individual and his to her social/professional interactions and opportunities. Persons who are perceived as more youthful and attractive are rated as nicer, more energetic, healthier, and more likely to be productive than those perceived to be older and unattractive. Objective: The goal of this study was to assess the changes in emotional and functional status of subjects treated with 2 to 4 monthly PLLA injections to the upper, mid, and lower face. Methods: Fifty subjects were recruited from two community dermatology centers in the United States (Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and Spokane, Washington). Two patient self-report measures were used-The Facial Volume Restoration Outcome Questionnaire and the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale. Results: Approximately 30 percent of the subjects who completed pre- and post-injection instruments reported increased confidence, increased sense of control, more comfort with others, increased happiness when looking in the mirror, more happiness when their faces were touched, healthier eating, increased contentment, beliefs that they were seen as less stressed by others, increased happiness with their bodies, exercising more, and that their lives were better. Additionally, 43 percent felt more optimistic and 33 percent felt less anxious. The changes in self-esteem, which was self-reported on the Rosenberg scale, were very modest but also favorable. Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) of facial volume loss improved from 2.2 at baseline to 1.2 at six-month follow-up assessment. Conclusion: Treatment of facial volume loss with PLLA was associated with improvements in patient-perceived emotional and functional status at six months after initial injection.