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Lidocaine-containing versions of popular hyaluronic acid fillers are now available in the United States, reports Cosmetic Surgery Times in its July 2010 issue. Lidocaine, a local anesthetic that is injected directly into the body, decreases pain by temporarily numbing the injected area, according to WebMD.

Juvederm XC, Restylane-L, and Perlane-L are three injectables that won FDA approval in February 2010 for lidocaine versions in the U.S.

Dr. Michael H. Gold, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and School of Nursing, says the products performed similarly to their lidocaine-free predecessors in terms of safety  and efficacy.

Furthermore, in the clinical trials, he says, “The incorporation of lidocaine has surely provided a higher comfort level for patients.”

In the 72-patient trial of Juvederm XC, patients were blindfolded and their nasolabial folds were treated with either Juvéderm or Juvederm XC. Patients assessed pain levels during treatment and then 30 minutes and 24 hours post-treatment. In the study, 93 percent reported less pain when treated with the lidocaine formulation versus the non-lidocaine formulation of Juvederm.

Dr. Gold says that, based on his clinical experience, when a patient receives an injection that includes even a small percentage of lidocaine, “Most patients say they barely feel the second stick. To me that is the home run of lidocaine in these fillers.”

The FDA also cleared a method for physicians mixing lidocaine with Radiesse last year. “Originally, I was against doctors mixing a lot of fillers because I was afraid of potential changes in the products themselves,” says Dr. Gold. But once the FDA clears these products, especially those premixed by manufacturers, “I’m pretty comfortable with it.”

Juvederm, Restylane, and Radiesse are performed at Dr. Frenzel’s Arlington, Texas office.

The full story, “Fillers with lidocaine among latest injectable advancements,” is available online at Modern Medicine.