Injectable hyaluronic acid implant for malar and mental enhancement.

[BACKGROUND] The use of a thicker injectable implant version of one of the hyaluronic acid dermal fillers (Restylane SubQ, Q-Med, Uppsala, Sweden) is described.

[OBJECTIVE] A group of treated patients has been studied for more than 1 year. Restylane SubQ was injected to the submuscular plane of the upper cheeks and chin to observe efficacy of augmentation and side effect profile, and further observations were made of the duration of benefit.

[METHODS] Patient details--72 patients were treated, 68 for upper cheek augmentation, 2 for chin augmentation, and 2 for both areas. Four patients received second injections 8 weeks after the first to increase augmentation.

[RESULTS] Patients all showed a persistence of benefit during the posttreatment observation period of up to 64 weeks. Four patients had minor side effects that resolved with local treatment and time. Four patients had second injections to complete augmentation without complications.

[CONCLUSIONS] Restylane SubQ is a useful injectable agent to augment and lift upper cheeks and recontour chins. Further efficacy studies seem justified.