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New Wrinkle: Fountain of Youth in a Syringe?
(press Release From PhillyBurbs.com)
Turns out beauty may be skin deep after all.
Popular injectable skin fillers containing hyaluronic acid used to correct wrinkles and skin problems associated with aging appear to stimulate natural collagen production and restore sun-damaged skin.
The first study of its kind suggests the soft-tissue filler known by the brand name Restylane works by stretching cells that make the protein collagen in a way that causes the skin to create new collagen, according to an article in the February issue of Archives of Dermatology, an American Medical Association journal.
Local doctors who perform the procedures say the findings confirm what they're seeing among some patients who have experienced longer-lasting results than anticipated. They add that the results could be a boon for the growing trend of nonsurgical cosmetic procedures.
“The implication is that, with repeated use, there will probably be less of a need for filler. This challenges the view that [skin filler] is an endless money pit,” Lower Makefield dermatologist Dr. Rick Fried said. “Hopefully, there will be less cost, fewer injections and ongoing rejuvenation — not a bad deal.”
Of the 12 million cosmetic procedures performed each year in the
United States
, about 1 million involve injectable soft-tissue fillers, such as fat or collagen, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
By far, hyaluronic-acid fillers were the most popular fillers, with doctors injecting the acid into 489,554 patients in 2005, according to the society's annual plastic-surgery statistics. That's a 6 percent increase over the previous year.
Hyaluronic acid is a natural sugar produced in skin and connective tissue whose molecules bind to water in the skin, hydrating and firming its structure. The loss of that acid with aging is associated with skin dehydration and wrinkling.
In the commercial versions used in skin fillers, the hyaluronic acid is bound to itself chemically, which creates longer-lasting results. The average cost of an injection of Restylane or Hylaform, another brand, was $558 in 2005, according to the
American
Academy
of Cosmetic Surgery.
The findings of the
University
of
Michigan Medical School-Ann Arbor
study are based on forearm injections in 11 volunteers whose average age was 75, and two subsequent analyses of skin biopsies at the injection site. Participants were fair-skinned and eight had moderate sun damage — visible as brown spots, drooping skin, wrinkles or uneven pigmentation.
The manufacturer of Restylane provided the syringes used in the study, but the company had no involvement in the collection, management, analysis and interpretation of the data. The company also wasn't involved in the preparation or review of the study.
After examining the skin samples under an electron microscope, researchers determined that stabilized hyaluronic acid appears to work by filling space in the skin, a long-assumed but unproven theory. The injected version also appears to inhibit the breakdown of existing natural collagen.
While researchers didn't test it on the face, the study said they believe the skin filler would have an identical effect since there is no medical evidence that skin elsewhere on the body behaves differently.
The findings suggest that besides its cosmetic benefits, hyaluronic acid may be beneficial to skin-wasting diseases involving collagen deficiencies, such as the ones associated with HIV or steroid use.
Middletown
cosmetic surgeon Dr. Alan Brackup said he has seen some amazing results with injectable fillers.
Restylane injections are supposed to last six months, but Brackup said he has patients who have seen “considerably longer” results — up to two years before they need a touch-up. Based on the new study, he theorizes those patients may have experienced an increase in natural collagen production.
Within the industry, he said, the argument has been made that regular Botox users see fewer lines because the injected toxin paralyzes the muscle. If a muscle isn't pulling on the skin, collagen production improves.
Brackup injected a combination of Restylane and Botox into one patient with a deep forehead crease two years ago, and she hasn't needed a touch-up yet.
“She may never need it again,” he said. “It's amazing.”
Dr. Fried called the study results exciting. Other soft-tissue fillers such as calcium hydroxylapatite (sold under the brand name Radiesse) also fill the skin and stimulate natural collagen production.
But, he cautioned, skin fillers may not create the same results in all patients.
“The question remains, which filler is best for each person and each area of a person's body?” Fried said. “Only time, experience and judgment will tell.”
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