An Innovative Treatment Using Calcium Hydroxyapatite for Non-Surgical Facial Rejuvenation: The Vectorial-Lift Technique

• Published in: Aesthetic plastic surgery 2024-09, Vol.48 (17), p.3206-3215
• Main Authors: Amaral, Virginia Marcia, Ramos, Helena Hotz Arroyo, Cavallieri, Fernanda Aquino, Muniz, Mariana, Muzy, Guilherme, de Almeida, Ada Trindade
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Hydroxyapatite; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Original; Original Articles; Otorhinolaryngology; Plastic Surgery
• ISSN: 0364-216X; 1432-5241; 1432-5241
• DOI: 10.1007/s00266-024-04071-5

Background The facial aging process entails alterations in the volume, shape, and texture of all skin layers over time. Calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA) is a well-established safe skin filler with unique properties to resolve some skin alterations by stimulating neocollagenesis. The vectoral-lift (V-lift) technique targets the global repositioning of facial structures by addressing distinct anatomical injection planes. It includes deep facial augmentation with Radiesse Plus TM to retain ligament restructuring and superficial subcutaneous enhancement with diluted Radiesse Duo TM . Herein, we present cases that illustrate the use of this approach. Methods This pilot study enrolled 36 participants (33 women and three men; ages 37–68 years) in a Brazilian clinical setting, and all patients underwent a single treatment. Photographs were taken at rest, in frontal and oblique views, before injection, and 90 days after treatment. Results Treatment resulted in elevation of the upper and middle face, notable improvements in the infraorbital hollow, and adjustment of the mean facial volume. Conclusions The V-lift technique is a three-dimensional pan-facial treatment that relies on ligament support and face vectoring to obtain a lifting effect and facial contour restoration. It encompasses deep facial augmentation involving the use of Radiesse Plus TM for restructuring and retaining ligaments and Radiesse Duo TM for superficial subcutaneous enhancement. This approach targets a global repositioning of the facial structures by addressing distinct anatomical injection planes. It achieves a repositioning of the overall facial anatomy without requiring a substantial volumetric expansion. Level of Evidence IV This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .