Background: There is a significant emphasis on minimally invasive whole-body rejuvenation throughout the world. Recently, gluteal aesthetics have become an increasingly common patient concern. Although the application of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) to the face is already well known, there are relatively fewer publications on its use in other corporeal regions. This study aims to extend previous findings by evaluating the efficacy and safety of PLLA in the treatment of contour (including lifting) deformities of the buttock region.
Methods: This was a prospective, multicenter (3 sites), single cohort, open-label clinical trial. Thirty female subjects were treated with PLLA in the bilateral buttocks, with three treatment sessions, each spaced one month apart and followed for six months after completion of the treatment regimen. At each visit, various safety and clinical efficacy parameters were collected, these included: Global Assessment of Improvement Scale (GAIS), subject satisfaction, skin hydration, elasticity, scaliness, roughness, and 3-dimensional imagery.
Results: Six months following the last treatment, 84.00% of patients were rated as having “improved” or more on the physician assessed GAIS, accompanied by a 96.00% patient satisfaction rate. Approximately three vials of PLLA, per buttock and treatment were used. There were no serious adverse events throughout the duration of the trial, nor adverse events related to the investigational device. The most common subject-reported adverse events included pain during treatment (Mean: 70.97%) and bruising (Mean: 28.80%). Objective improvements were persistent after treatment in measurements of skin elasticity (improved 63.5% - 82.5% from weeks 16-32), hydration (increased ~11 Corneometer® units by week 16), roughness (decreased 36.95% at week 32), and scaliness (desquamation; decreased 60.41% at week 32).
Conclusions: PLLA is safe and effective for the indication of buttock contouring and improving parameters of skin health. PLLA can provide long-lasting effects with a high level of patient and physician satisfaction. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(3):304-308. doi:10.36849/JDD.5924.