The role of ultrasound in facial hyaluronic acid dermal filler injections – A review article

Abstract

Injectable dermal fillers have seen a remarkable rise in popularity in recent years for aesthetic enhancements, such as facial contouring and rejuvenation. Hyaluronic acid (HA)-based fillers are especially favored due to their tolerability, minimal invasiveness, and effectiveness. This review examines the applications of ultrasound in HA dermal filler procedures. A literature search was conducted from February 25 to 26, 2024, using Medline and Google Scholar to identify relevant studies on the use of ultrasound for facial HA dermal fillers. Inclusion criteria included peer-reviewed English language studies from the last decade and involving living human subjects. Eleven studies met these criteria. The findings indicate that ultrasound significantly enhances the accuracy and safety of HA filler procedures by enabling precise vascular mapping, filler detection, and complication detection and identification. By presenting evidence of reduced risks and improved outcomes, this review underscores the potential for ultrasound to become a standard tool in HA filler applications, representing an innovation and a new application for ultrasound in the field of aesthetic dermatology.