How a long-lasting dermal filler can be exceptionally pure

A long-lasting dermal filler doesn’t have to be based on highly modified hyaluronic acid. The right technology can produce durable gels while staying very close to natural hyaluronic acid found in the body. A large clinical study proves that Decoria^® Voluma, one of the purest fillers available, provides long durability and high patient satisfaction.

Is dermal filler purity an issue?

As is well-known today in the world of aesthetics, fillers based on hyaluronic acid are modified to a certain degree to make them last for some months. Natural hyaluronic acid would be degraded by the body in just a few days.

However, the modification means that the filler gel diverts slightly from what you would find in the body. To make the gels more durable the hyaluronic acid molecules are cross-linked to create a network, which slows down degradation and creates a long-lasting dermal filler. The synthetic cross-linking agent used is usually BDDE (1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether).¹

Hyaluronic acid injectables have a low risk of immunologic or allergic reaction.¹ Still, a too high degree of cross-linking could potentially lead to problems with biocompatibility because the gel is more modified. The body might perceive the product as more foreign, which could lead to immunologic reactions with delayed onset swelling and inflammatory nodules.¹

Must a long-lasting dermal filler be highly modified?

Gel technology is far more complex than just adding cross-links to produce a durable gel. Decoria Voluma, a premium dermal filler for all-round support, is based on the SHAPE™ Technology that produces gels with minimal modification while still providing durable aesthetic results.

The ‘trick’ with the SHAPE Technology is to preserve the natural form of the hyaluronic acid molecule, which is already entangled. Only a minimal number of cross-links is therefore needed to create long-lasting dermal filler gels.

Thanks to the SHAPE Technology, Decoria Voluma is one of the purest dermal fillers on the market with only 1% modification of the hyaluronic acid molecule. For comparison, fillers from other brands can have a cross-linking degree of up to 8%, or even more in some cases.¹

Decoria Voluma for cheekbone enhancement: a clinical study

No matter the purity of the dermal filler, it must create long-lasting aesthetic results. The safety, efficacy and patient satisfaction of Decoria Voluma has been evaluated in a large 300-day study comprising 90 patients.² Below are the key study details:²

• All patients were female ranging from 18-55 years of age, with a mean age of 42 years.
• Patients were treated with up to 5 mL of Decoria Voluma.
• The mean volume injected was 2 mL, which resembles a typical treatment at clinics for patients seeking cheek rejuvenation or cheekbone augmentation.
• Patients were followed up 7 days after treatment and then every 30 days after initial treatment for 300 days.
• To get an objective evaluation of cheekbone enhancement, 3D imaging was used. Cheekbone volume was graded from -2 much worse, -1 worse, 0 identical, +1 improved to +2 much improved. Baseline cheekbone volume was set at 0.
• Participants completed a self-assessment questionnaire about the aesthetic result as well as potential adverse events.
• Adverse events were also evaluated by the investigators (the treating injector and a blinded evaluator) at each follow-up visit.

Study results

Cheekbone projection maintained throughout the study period

Follow-up visits showed that Decoria Voluma is a long-lasting dermal filler that provides cheekbone augmentation with consistent results that were maintained throughout the study.²

The median improvement of cheekbone projection, as measured by 3D imaging, was 1.18 at day 7 and 300 days later, at the end of the study, median improvement was still 0.78.² 

In other words, most of the volume was still maintained almost a year after initial treatment.

High patient satisfaction

Patients were asked to rate the treatment results in a self-assessment questionnaire with the following questions:

• How do I consider my improvement?
• Do I consider myself satisfied with the outcome?
• Is my result symmetrical? 
• Do I consider myself to look better in any way?
• Do I look younger or refreshed?
• Is my result natural?
• How do I rate the lasting of the product?

The results were rated as very good or excellent by the majority of patients.²

Very low incidence of side effects

All side effects were mild and included bruising (4.8%), swelling (3.6%), bumpiness (2.4%), asymmetry (1.2%) and erythema/discoloration (1.2%). All were self-limiting within the first 1-2 weeks post injection.²

A pure dermal filler at a great value

Decoria Voluma is part of Decoria^®, the purest dermal filler collection available. With this filler, clinicians can offer not only a long-lasting dermal filler but also a pure, premium product that contains hyaluronic acid that is very close to natural hyaluronic acid in the body.

A ‘purist’ approach in production and delivery, with streamlined processes, means that the Decoria Voluma is also available at a great value.

All Decoria dermal fillers are developed and manufactured at BOHUS’ facilities in Strömstad, Sweden. Please get in touch today for more information about Decoria.

References

1. Wu G.T. et al., Hyaluronic Acid Basics and Rheology, Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. 2022 Aug;30(3):301-308.

2. Torres S., Zygomatic Augmentation through Curved Cannulas with the Use of a New Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Filler (Decoria® Voluma, Bohus BioTech AB, Sweden, EC): 10 Months Follow Up, Medwin Publishers 2018 Nov. 23; Vol 3, Issue 3.