Dr. Arnold Klein Uncovers Effective Procedure for Restoration of Lip Volume and the Height of the Lower Third of the Face

Hyaluronic Acid is Proven to be Safe and Effective for Lip Augmentation

LOS ANGELES (Jan. 19, 2012) – Throughout all races, certain features of the female face have attracted men.  The most important of these are luscious, sensual lips.  As Dr. Arnold Klein has said, “lips are the central cosmetic feature of the lower third of the face.  Well recognized in the Mona Lisa, art historians have discussed the smile of Mona Lisa for centuries but her lips, the only visible female sexual organs , are the reason the painting grabs the male eye .”  For years, women have attempted to alter their appearance and restore fullness to their lips by injectables; unfortunately, until now there were no established guidelines.

Dr. Arnold Klein, world-renowned cosmetic dermatologist perhaps best known for his celebrity and prominent  clients, which include Cher, Dolly Parton, the late Michael Jackson, and reportedly even Pope Paul II, has recently published in the Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications the first pivotal study that established the safety and efficacy of hyaluronic acid for lip enhancement.  This pilot study was the basis on which RestylaneÒ gained FDA approval for lip augmentation.  “One must remember that in the aging face, one must pay attention to lip enhancement but also one must be able to restore the support provided to the lower third of the face by dentition and bone structure,” said Dr. Klein.  “These are all features dependent not only on injection of the lips themselves but also on volumetric restoration of the lower third of the face.

“Although dermatologic and aesthetic journals deal with substances for implantation, these journals do not, in themselves, hold information regarding distance of the lips from the chin and other architectural features of lip enhancement.  The answer to this can be found in the dental literature, in which many articles have addressed the proper height, size, and location of the lips as produced by dental restoration.”

Hyaluronic acid is a gel-like substance that occurs naturally in soft connective tissue, cartilage, joint fluid and in skin tissue.  Because of this, allergies to it are extremely rare and hyaluronic acid products are materials often used for soft tissue augmentation.  Unlike collagen, hyaluronic acid is identical across all species and is produced by many types of cells.

Dr. Klein’s pivotal study was a prospective, open-label, blinded, single-center pilot study.  Hyaluronic acid was administered at the initial treatment session, with efficacy assessments conducted on day 3 through week 24.  Subjects were healthy adults ages 18-75 who desired to seek lip augmentation and avoid any other facial plastic surgical or cosmetic procedure for the first 12 weeks of the study. 

The objectives of the study were multifold.  First, the study was to determine whether hyaluronic acid was effective in lip augmentation and determine how satisfied the subjects were with the procedure. Another objective was to develop the best injection technique which would avoid problems, yet produce superb long-lasting cosmetic results.  Furthermore, whether or not hyaluronic acid lip augmentation could be readily detected in the lip by the casual observer as well as incidence, duration and severity of all systemic and local adverse reactions were important goals of the study.

There were a total of 20 subjects enrolled in the study.  The subjects were treated, and given a diary in which to record any local (i.e. injection site) or systemic adverse reactions for the first two weeks.  They were then asked to return for a follow-up visit on the third day for a review and to see if the hyaluronic acid could be detected by both the subject and blinded investigator.  The subjects used a GAIS (Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale) rating system (improved, same, worse) to rate their satisfaction at each follow-up visit.

Overall, all subjects were satisfied with their lip improvement.  All indicated improvement in the appearance of their lips through week 12, while 74% maintained an improved appearance through week 24.  Similarly, 100% of investigator assessments reported improvement through week 12, while 84% indicated maintained improvement through week 24.

Dr. Klein’s study should come as welcome news to both physicians and consumers alike.  With so many variable procedures for lip augmentation having unknown results and possible adverse side effects, Dr. Klein’s discovery of an agent that causes little to no allergic reactions - as well as is a more natural ingredient to be used in injectables - should help to reduce the number of women who suffer the unfortunate consequences of unfounded or untested procedures for lip augmentation.

About Dr. Arnold Klein

Heralded by many in the industry as the one of the most innovative cosmetic dermatologists worldwide, Dr. Arnold Klein is considered the father of modern cosmetic dermatology.  Dr. Klein developed the injection techniques for the cosmetic use of Botox, Collagen and Restylane.  Perhaps best known for his “celebrity” clientele, which includes names like Cher, Dolly Parton and the late Michael Jackson, Dr. Klein possesses a refined aesthetic sense and uses a combination of art and science to epitomize his work.  Board-certified, Dr. Klein enjoys the highest respect and recommendation from his patients and peers.  He is passionate about his work and proudly upholds the virtues and values of medicine for the benefit of all his patients.

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Diana Soltesz
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