Study on the Efficacy and Safety of PLLA Injections for Improving Facial Laxity Following GLP-1 Analog Therapy

NCT07478198 | Enrolling By Invitation

• 2 other identifiers: PuNan2024-028PuNanPLLA-001
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 22
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Following weight loss with GLP-1 receptor agonists, facial skin laxity and sagging have become another concern for some patients. The temples, cheeks, tear troughs, jawline, marionette lines, and nasolabial folds are the most common areas of volume loss or wrinkles after semaglutide treatment. Restoring facial volume after discontinuing weight-loss medications poses a challenge, as the sole use of hyaluronic acid or permanent fillers may lead to a significant number of patients requiring corrective treatment for overfilled facial syndrome.Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) works by releasing low concentrations of lactic acid to stimulate fibroblast-mediated collagen synthesis. Additionally, macrophages participate in the collagen production process triggered by lactic acid, ultimately improving skin laxity. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PLLA injections in addressing facial laxity following GLP-1 analogue therapy.

Conditions

Facial Skin Laxity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• WSRS (Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale) Assessment

  Compare baseline and post-treatment scores to evaluate improvement in nasolabial folds and marionette lines. 1. Score improvement between baseline and post-treatment; 2. Percentage of subjects achieving ≥1-grade improvement.

  At screening, before each treatment session, and at 4, 12, 24 and 48 weeks after the final treatment

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• GAIS (Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale) Assessment

  At 4, 12, 24 and 48 weeks after the final treatment

• Skin Elasticity

  At baseline and 24 weeks post-final treatment

Study Arms (1)

Poly-l-lactic acid injection

EXPERIMENTAL

Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) lyophilized powder is reconstituted with normal saline for facial injection

Device: PLLA injection

Interventions

PLLA injection DEVICE

Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) lyophilized powder, after reconstitution with normal saline, is injected into the subcutaneous layer of the face. Three treatment sessions delivered at 4-week intervals.

Poly-l-lactic acid injection

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 30 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Adults who have received GLP-1 analog therapy and experienced significant weight loss (BMI reduction ≥ 5%).
• Aged 30 to 60 years, with noticeable facial sagging, and nasolabial folds or marionette lines rated 2 to 4 on the Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS).
• Subjects who have fully understood the clinical trial protocol and associated risks, voluntarily signed the informed consent form, and expressed willingness to undergo facial injection treatment.

You may not qualify if:

• Known or previous allergy or hypersensitivity to any component of the product.
• Known or previous allergy to local anesthetics (e.g., lidocaine or other amide-type anesthetics).
• History of severe or multiple allergies, such as severe systemic anaphylactic reactions.
• Previous surgery (including cosmetic surgical procedures or liposuction), piercings, or tattoos in the area to be treated.
• Prior tissue filler treatments or contouring in the area to be treated, including the use of any permanent fillers, or any semi-permanent fillers, autologous fat, lifting threads, or permanent implants within 24 months before treatment.
• Use of any biodegradable facial tissue fillers based on hyaluronic acid or collagen in the area to be treated within 12 months before treatment.
• Botulinum toxin injections in the area to be treated within 6 months before treatment.
• Presence of any disease or lesion in or near the area to be treated, such as inflammation, active or chronic infection (e.g., in the oral, head, and neck regions); facial psoriasis, eczema, acne, rosacea, perioral dermatitis, herpes simplex, or herpes zoster; scars or deformities; cancer or precancerous lesions (e.g., actinic keratosis).
• Past or current active collagen diseases, e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, or localized or systemic scleroderma.
• Predisposition to keloid formation, hypertrophic scarring, or any other abnormal healing.
• History of bleeding disorders or, in the investigator's judgment, treatment with thrombolytics, anticoagulants, or platelet aggregation inhibitors within a relevant period before treatment.
• Treatment with chemotherapy, immunosuppressants, immunomodulatory therapies (e.g., monoclonal antibodies), or systemic corticosteroids (inhaled corticosteroids are permitted) within 3 months before treatment.
• Treatment with topical (below the infraorbital rim) retinoids or corticosteroids within 1 month before treatment, or systemic retinoids within 6 months before treatment.
• Other conditions that, in the investigator's opinion, preclude the subject from participating in the study, e.g., subjects who may be unable to avoid other facial cosmetic treatments, subjects deemed potentially unreliable, unreachable, unable to understand study assessments, or with unrealistic expectations regarding treatment outcomes.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women, women of childbearing potential not using adequate contraception, or women planning pregnancy during the study period.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Shanghai Punan Hospital of Pudong New District: lead

Study Sites (1)

Shanghai Punan Hospital of Pudong New District

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Mansour MR, Hannawa OM, Yaldo MM, Nageeb EM, Chaiyasate K. The rise of "Ozempic Face": Analyzing trends and treatment challenges associated with rapid facial weight loss induced by GLP-1 agonists. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2024 Sep;96:225-227. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2024.07.051. Epub 2024 Jul 25. No abstract available.

  PMID: 39098289 BACKGROUND

• Signori R, Barbosa AP, Cezar-Dos-Santos F, Carbone AC, Ventura S, Nobre BBS, Neves MLBB, Camara-Souza MB, Poluha RL, De la Torre Canales G. Efficacy and Safety of Poly-l-Lactic Acid in Facial Aesthetics: A Systematic Review. Polymers (Basel). 2024 Sep 11;16(18):2564. doi: 10.3390/polym16182564.

  PMID: 39339028 BACKGROUND

• Avelar L, Ong A, Ong D, Wai ACS, Wai AYT, Sungkyu J, Seok LH, Tam E, Leng SE, Huang J, Chao Y, Brasater D, Prygova I. Consensus recommendations on the use of injectable poly-l-lactic acid in Asian patients. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023 Dec;22(12):3223-3231. doi: 10.1111/jocd.15969. Epub 2023 Oct 2.

  PMID: 37786340 BACKGROUND

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 12, 2026
• First Posted: March 17, 2026
• Study Start: July 3, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Last Updated: March 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-12

Locations

CN (1)