A randomized study showing improved skin quality and aesthetic appearance of dorsal hands after hyaluronic acid gel treatment in a Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: Patients are increasingly aware of the aesthetic appearance of aging hands. AIMS: To evaluate efficacy and safety of a hyaluronic acid gel for improving skin quality in aged skin of the dorsal hand. METHODS: This was a 15-month randomized, multi-center, evaluator-blinded, split-hand, no treatment-controlled study. Three treatments with hyaluronic acid gel were administered in the same hand in adult Chinese subjects with grade 2 or 3 (mild or moderate aging) on the Hand Grading Scale (HGS). The primary objective was to evaluate the difference at 3 months between treated and untreated hands, based on the blinded evaluator's HGS assessment. Secondary assessments included the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS), biophysical measurements (skin elasticity, skin roughness and hydration), and subject satisfaction. Safety was evaluated by incidence of adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 100 subjects were enrolled. Clinically relevant differences in HGS favored HA gel (P < .0001). At 15 months, 87%-96% of treated hands were still improved according to GAIS (per evaluator and subject, respectively). Objective measures of skin quality improved, confirmed by evaluators and highly satisfied subjects. Treatment was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Hyaluronic acid treatment improved skin quality and reduced the aging appearance of the hand, with high subject satisfaction.