Restoring Facial Volume After GLP-1 Weight Loss With Radiesse
brief summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the potential of Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) to restore facial volume and improve skin quality in patients with GLP-1 receptor agonist-associated facial volume loss. Participants will: * Schedule first dose of a prescribed GLP-1 receptor agonist drug to coincide with the baseline visit of this study * Be randomly assigned to one of two groups (Group A will receive off-label injections of hyperdiluted CaHA at Month 0. Group B will receive on-label injections of CaHA after serving as a control group through Month 6) * Have clinical photos taken at each office visit to track progress
detailed description
Forty-eight (48) subjects will be enrolled in this study, all of whom are initiating GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy for weight management. These 48 subjects will be split evenly between and randomly assigned to one of two groups.
Group A will receive off-label injections of hyperdilute calcium hydroxylapatite diluted at a 1:2 ratio to target the sub-zygomatic fat pad, sub-malar fat pad, buccal fascial space, and prejowl sulcus. Group A will receive two treatment sessions at Months 0 and 1. Participants in Group A will be required to visit our office at Months 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12.
Group B serves as a control through Month 6 and crossover group at Month 6, receiving on-label injections of calcium hydroxylapatite. Treatment will target the jawline, body of the mandible, and facial folds and wrinkles. Group B will receive two treatment sessions at Months 6 and 7. Participants in Group B will be required to visit our office at Months 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 12.
Assessments will include 3D facial imaging (via the Quantificare Lifeviz Infinity Pro), AI-based imaging (via Perfect Corp's imaging software), and standardized clinical photography of the face (via a Nikon digital single lens reflex camera). All pictures will be stored via a HIPAA-compliant server. Weight and body mass index (BMI) will also be recorded at each visit to quantify each participant's weight loss trajectory. Participant journals prompt participants to self-report weight weekly.
The treating physician will use standardized scales for nasolabial folds, marionette lines, jawline, oral commissures, lower cheek fullness, upper cheek fullness, and cheek fullness at each visit to provide clinical ratings. The Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) will be used by the treating physician and subjects to rate aesthetic improvement at each time point after the initial treatment with calcium hydroxylapatite. Subjects will also rate their overall aesthetic improvement and treatment satisfaction according to a 5-point scale: (1) Extremely dissatisfied, (2) Dissatisfied, (3) Slightly satisfied, (4) Satisfied, (5) Extremely satisfied. Psychosocial questionnaires will be administered to participants to capture the psychological effect of natural facial wasting and volume restoration. Assessor blinding will be applied for subjective photo evaluations (e.g., a blinded panel comparing before/after photos).