Injected hyaluronidase reduces restylane-mediated cutaneous augmentation

Objective: To determine the effects of injected hyaluronidase in cutaneous areas previously augmented with Restylane (Q-Med AB, Uppsala, Sweden), a nonanimal, stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA) gel.

Methods: A prospective, randomized study was undertaken in 2 parts. First, the effects of hyaluronidase and saline were compared on post-NASHA dermal augmentation. Next, 3 different doses of hyaluronidase were evaluated after NASHA gel dermal augmentation. A blinded evaluator assigned postinjection skin scores. Each patient served as his or her own control.

Results: Hyaluronidase dramatically reduced the size of the augmentation created by injected Restylane in all of our subjects. A comparison of average scores of saline-injected sites vs hyaluronidase-injected sites revealed a statistically significant difference. By 4 to 7 days after hyaluronidase injection, skin scores were at 20% of baseline (P<.001). Dose-related response to injected hyaluronidase was also observed, although it was not statistically significant. A number of patients (25%) demonstrated localized, self-limiting hypersensitivity reactions to injected hyaluronidase.

Conclusions: Intradermal hyaluronidase injections can be used to reduce dermal augmentation from previously injected Restylane. A small dose of hyaluronidase equivalent to 5 to 10 U may be injected initially.