Premaxillary Injection for Perioral Rejuvenation and Lip Enhancement.

[BACKGROUND] This is the first study to evaluate the effect of premaxillary filler injection on nasal tip projection, upper lip projection, and upper lip vermilion height.

[OBJECTIVES] The primary objective of this study was to analyze the change in nasal tip projection (measured by the Goode ratio) and the change in upper lip projection (measured by the Z angle) following premaxillary hyaluronic acid injection. A secondary objective was to measure the change in upper lip vermilion height. We hypothesized that treated subjects will show an increase in nasal tip projection, upper lip projection, and upper lip vermilion height.

[METHODS] Twenty volunteer patients with signs of perioral aging or poor upper lip projection were enrolled in this prospective cohort study and underwent premaxillary hyaluronic acid filler injection between November 2017 and June 2018. Nasal tip projection, upper lip projection, and upper lip vermilion height were assessed from baseline and posttreatment photographs based on the Goode ratio, Z angle, and lip vermilion height ratio, respectively.

[RESULTS] No significant change was noted between pre- and posttreatment Goode ratio measurements (P = 0.841). There was a significant decrease in Z angle and therefore significant increase in upper lip projection with treatment (P < 0.001). The lip vermilion height ratio demonstrated a trend of increased upper lip vermilion height but this did not achieve statistical significance (P = 0.561).

[CONCLUSIONS] Premaxillary filler treatment resulted in a significant increase in upper lip projection. Premaxillary filler injection when performed in a safe manner is a valuable treatment option for perioral rejuvenation.