The Advanced Art of Facial Fillers

A supplement to Skin & Allergy News.
This continuing medical education (CME) activity is supported by an educational grant from Medicis and jointly sponsored by the Elsevier Office of Continuing Medical Education and Skin Disease Education Foundation.
This supplement is based on a continuing medical education symposium held during the 32nd Annual Hawaii Dermatology SeminarTMheld on March 1-7, 2008, in Waikoloa, Hawaii.

• Topic Highlights
• Faculty/Faculty Disclosures
• Reviewer
• Target Audience
• Educational Needs
• Learning Objectives
• Accreditation Statement

To view the supplement, click the image above.
Topic Highlights

 

• The Aging Face: Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors
• Volumizing Versus Facelift Surgery
• Facial Filling Agents
• Avoiding Complications and Side Effects
• Some Applications of Hyaluronic Acid
Faculty/Faculty Disclosures

 

Jason Michaels, MD
Associate Clinical Professor, Dermatology
Founder/Physician
University of Nevada School of Medicine
Aspire Cosmetic MedCenter
Las Vegas, Nevada
Dr. Michaels has nothing to disclose.

Jody Comstock, MD
Dermatologist
Founder/Physician
Skin Spectrum, PC
Tucson, Arizona
Dr. Comstock is a speaker for Allergan, Medicis, and Obagi.
Reviewer

Educational Reviewer:
Robert Reina, MS, MBA
Dr. Reina has nothing to disclose.
Target Audience

This activity has been developed for dermatologists, plastic surgeons, fellows, and residents in plastic surgery and dermatology.
Educational Needs

The natural aging process—when fat and collagen under the skin begins to diminish—affects each individual differently. Many people find that the impact of aging negatively impacts their quality of life; therefore, they seek treatment to improve their appearance.

Physicians have many treatment options, surgical and nonsurgical, when addressing aging of the skin. Soft tissue fillers, which are among the nonsurgical group, are often considered the first line in the treatment of aging skin and are frequently used in combinations or with other techniques for facial rejuvenation. A variety of filler substances exist that address a wide range of cosmetic flaws, each bringing subtle, distinctive benefits. In some patients, more than one filler may be used to achieve the best results.

With several filler options available, physicians need to be aware of the benefits and potential risks of each. Filling substances commonly used by dermatologists and plastic surgeons include collagen, autologus fat, poly-L-lactic acid, calcium hydroxyapatite, and hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid replaces lost volume and restores youthful contours to the skin to smooth away moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. Hyaluronic acid is a natural component of human skin and is the framework in which skin cells live. There are several hyaluronic acid products available, each having various characteristics, although all hyaluronic acid products bind water and give the skin volume.

Since each patient needs to be treated individually, physicians need to tailor their choice of dermal filler to the patient as well as learn proper injection techniques to avoid complications. To do so, dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and other health care professionals need to stay up-to-date on the latest innovations in the filler arena, as well as be proficient in injection technique.
Learning Objectives

After reading this supplement, participants should be able to:
• Discuss the causes, processes, and sites of facial biometric volume loss.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the treatment options for correcting facial biometric volume loss, including recently approved and investigational agents, and state the differences between stimulatory and replacement fillers.
• Compare the indications, side effects, and contraindications of the different filler options.
• Describe the various injection techniques, based on a clear understanding of the benefits and potential risks of each.
Accreditation Statement

 

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the Elsevier Office of Continuing Medical Education (EOCME) and Skin Disease Education Foundation (SDEF). The EOCME is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians.

The EOCME designated this educational supplement for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Term of Approval: July 2008 - July 31, 2009.

Copyright © 2008 by Elsevier Inc.

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