Safety and effectiveness of hyaluronic acid lip fillers assessed
The Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology has published a systematic review of clinical studies examining the efectiveness and safety of hyaluronic acid fillers used to enhance overall lip fullness.
The literature search was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Twenty-two studies were included in the qualitative synthesis, nine of them with level of evidence (LOE) 1b (randomised controlled trials), one with LOE 2b (individual cohort study), and 12 with LOE 4 (case series, poor-quality cohort, and case-control studies). The total number of subjects included in all studies was 3,965.
The results showed that the assessment methods (especially for efficacy) varied greatly from one study to another. Observed responses to the treatment in studies using different lip fullness scales varied between 71% and 93.2%. The most common adverse events were local reactions at the injection sites (swelling, contusion, bruising, pain, redness, and itching).
The authors concluded that HA fillers are effective and safe to use. The majority of included subjects were satisfied with the result and their looks.
