Background: Hyaluronic acid filler injections are regarded as the gold standard procedure for facial rejuvenation. Standing as the second most injected cosmetic filler, calcium hydroxyapatite-based fillers are also widely used worldwide. However, to our knowledge, prospective studies assessing patient satisfaction and sonographic changes in dermal thickness after a single session of a hybrid filler combining hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxyapatite have not been previously published. Methods: This was a single-center, prospective, quasi-experimental study comprising 15 participants between 32 and 63 years of age. Each participant received a single-session treatment based on facial subcutaneous injections of HArmonyCa, a hybrid combination filler comprising hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxyapatite. This study involved an intrapatient control design and a 120-day follow-up with clinical and sonographic assessment. For this purpose, standardized photographic images, high-frequency ultrasound evaluations, and physician- and patient-oriented overall aesthetic improvement scores were recorded at 0, 30, 90, and 120 following the procedure. Results: According to our findings, 20% of the subjects had an exceptional improvement; 20%, “very improved”; and 60%, “improved.” Intrapatient sonographic comparison showed a significant increase in dermal thickness, at 90 and 120 days, only on the side treated (P < 0.001). Conclusion: In our clinical study, a single-session treatment with a hybrid product combining hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxyapatite resulted in positive cosmetic satisfaction and increased dermal thickness.
15 January 2022 in Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology
Menopause marks the end of a woman’s reproductive life. It is well-known that skin aging is accelerated during this period, as declining estrogen detrimentally impacts the skin’s extracellular matrix (ECM) which is the provider of strength and elasticity. Menopause also affects scalp hair, reducing hair diameter and leading to shorter hair growth. Objective: To evaluate the main dermatological complaints of Brazilian women during this period, comparing the compatibility of these complaints with similar studies that evaluated skin health at menopause. Methods: This study interviewed 463 postmenopausal women between 42 and 83 years old through a public electronic questionnaire in the SurveyMonkey app about their perception of the changes noticed in their hair and skin after menopause. All statistical analyses were performed in R v. 3.6.1. Results with p-values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results: Dermatological health in menopausal women, especially the quality of the skin, nails and hair may deteriorate with estrogen deficits. As life expectancy increases and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) becomes more common, a greater understanding of their dermatological effects in menopause is needed. Conclusions: Menopause strongly impacts skin quality and worsens women’s self-esteem and quality of life. There is still a lack of knowledge about HRT and specific treatments for improving skin, hair and nails.