Background: Hand rejuvenation has become increasingly popular, but there are few reports published on the use of hyaluronic acid gels for correction of volume deficits in the dorsal hand.
Methods: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of large-gel-particle hyaluronic acid with lidocaine, a 20-mg/ml hyaluronic acid gel with 0.3% lidocaine, compared to no treatment for the correction of volume deficits in the dorsal hand. This was a prospective, multicenter, split-hand study in 90 subjects who received treatment with product in one hand. The primary efficacy endpoint was based on a 1 point of improvement with treatment versus no treatment according to the Merz Hand Grading Scale at week 12. Other assessments included Central Independent Photographic Reviewers evaluations of hand photographs, Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale, subject satisfaction, and safety.
Results: The mean injection volume was 2.1 ml at the first treatment. Subjects demonstrated significantly higher response rates with treatment compared to no treatment at week 12 (85.9 percent versus 21.2 percent) and at weeks 16, 20, and 24 (p < 0.0001). Photographic Reviewers assessments showed consistently greater improvements in the treated hands compared with the untreated hands from week 12 to week 24. Most subjects and investigators (≥92.8 percent) reported improvements in Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale score across all time points with treatment. Treatment-related adverse events were reported in seven subjects (7.9 percent). Most of these were mild, and none were serious.
Conclusion: Hyaluronic acid with lidocaine is safe, effective, and well tolerated for the correction of volume deficits in the dorsal hand.
Clinical question/level of evidence: Therapeutic, II.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02650921.