title: The safety and efficacy of poly-L-lactic acid on sunken cheeks in Asians.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) is a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer device used for correction of facial contour deficiencies, with a gradual onset of effect that is maintained for up to 25 months. PLLA is currently widely used to correct age-related facial volume deficits in Asians.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to evaluate the safety and long-term efficacy of PLLA on treating age-related sunken cheeks in Asians.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective, single-center study of 11 subjects with age-related sunken cheeks who were treated with three sessions of PLLA, and then followed-up for 24 months. A questionnaire was used to evaluate patient satisfaction and the incidence of adverse reactions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven female and four male subjects with mild-to-moderate age-related sunken cheeks were included in the study. The mean age of the subjects was 41.5 (range: 25-50). Overall, 90.9% of patients replied that they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the results at 24 months follow-up; 91% of patients rated the volume correction to be good or excellent. Despite the high incidence of bruising (63.7%) and post-treatment nodules (27.3%), all subjects (100%) were willing to undergo the procedure again.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PLLA has shown long-lasting effects in reversing age-related sunken cheeks in Asians, with high patient satisfaction. Special consideration should be made to minimize the side effects.
authors.affiliation: Arumdaun Nara Dermatologic Clinic , Seoul , Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Dong Hye
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Suh
authors.forename: Sang Jun
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: So Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jeong Deuk
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hei Sung
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000208:ethnology*; D044466:Asian People; D001284:Atrophy / Q000188:drug therapy; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002610:Cheek; D003288:Contusions / Q000209:etiology; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)
keywords: Asians; PLLA; age-related sunken cheeks