Injectable PLLA-SCA treatments effective for correction of cheek wrinkles

The study revealed that injectable PLLA-SCA treatments were well-tolerated and provided patient satisfaction by reducing the severity of moderate/severe cheek lines and wrinkles while improving skin quality. Over the 12-month study period, the effectiveness was durable with a highly natural-looking appearance, subject-reported satisfaction, and enthusiasm for repeat treatments.

Sculptra poly-L-lactic acid injectable implant is a plant-derived alpha-hydroxy-acid polymer. When used for soft tissue augmentation, PLLA-SCA gradually stimulates collagen formation throughout several treatments to provide semi-permanent correction of facial volume loss linked with ageing.

In randomized studies, injectable PLLA-SCA has shown natural-looking and durable results, with 80% of the recipients maintaining aesthetic correction of contour deficiencies until the 25-month data cut-off. Growing experience has driven an improved understanding of optimal PLLA-SCA injection techniques to achieve good safety outcomes and high levels of treatment satisfaction.

Against the above background, Sabrina Fabi, Cosmetic Laser Dermatology, San Diego, CA, and colleagues evaluated the safety and effectiveness of Sculptra injectable poly-L-lactic acid treatment in correcting cheek wrinkles compared with a no-treatment control.

The study included male/female immune-competent adults (aged >21 years) with moderate/severe cheek wrinkles, graded using the Galderma Cheek Wrinkle Scale (GCWS) at rest. They were randomized in a ratio of 2:1 to receive PLLA-SCA injections (150 mg; 8 mL reconstitution in sterile water for injection) + 1 mL lidocaine hydrochloride (2%), administered immediately after reconstitution, or no treatment (control).

At monthly intervals, up to 3 additional treatments were allowed, and follow-up was at 7, 9, and 12 months. The study's primary endpoint was 1 grade or a greater improvement in GCWS at rest for both cheeks at month 12.

The researchers reported the following findings:

• GCWS at rest responder rate was significantly higher with PLLA-SCA treatment versus the no-treatment control at months 7 (66.2% versus 38.6%), 9 (70.6% versus 31.1%), and 12 (71.6% versus 26.1%).
• Treating investigators reported improvements in tighter appearance (>88%), skin radiance (>95%), and jawline contour (>85%).
• PLLA-SCA recipients reported high satisfaction levels regarding improvements in skin radiance (90% or greater), firmness (91% or greater), and sagging (84% or greater) as well as natural-looking results (85% or greater) and a desire for repeat treatment (84% or greater).
• Treatment-related adverse events were mostly mild in severity with no serious events related to PLLA-SCA injections.

The findings showed that injectable PLLA-SCA treatments, administered using an immediate injection protocol were tolerated well and provided significant reduction in the severity of moderate or severe cheek wrinkles. Over the 12-month study period, durable effectiveness and improvements in skin radiance, firmness (tightness), and jawline contouring were observed.

"PLLA-SCA recipients reported high satisfaction and natural looking appearance, and most expressed a desire to have to repeat PLLA-SCA treatments," the researchers wrote.

Reference:

Fabi S, Hamilton T, LaTowsky B, Kazin R, Marcus K, Mayoral F, Joseph J, Hooper D, Shridharani S, Hicks J, Brasater D, Weinberg F, Prygova I. Effectiveness and Safety of Sculptra Poly-L-Lactic Acid Injectable Implant in the Correction of Cheek Wrinkles. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024 Jan 1;23(1):1297-1305. doi: 10.36849/JDD.7729. PMID: 38206151.