Carolyn Jacob, MD, Director, Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology, Chicago, Illinois

Introduction

The 2007 American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) Annual Meeting was held October 10–14 at the Sheraton in Chicago, IL. A new series of presentations at the ASDS Annual Meeting was the Hot Topic Education Sessions where new developments and technologies in "hot topic" areas were reviewed. One of these sessions "Hot Topic: The Changing Mindset for the Use of HA Fillers" focused on newer dermal fillers and new applications for existing fillers.¹ Among the many speakers giving their insights on state-of-the-art filler injection techniques were Nowell Solish, MD, FRCCP, University of Toronto and Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Canada; Oscar Hevia, MD, Coral Gables, Florida; Benjamin Raab, MD, Naperville, Ohio; Naomi Lawrence, MD, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, New Jersey; Lisa Donofrio, MD, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Mariano Busso, MD, Coconut Grove, Florida; Sue Ellen Cox, MD, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Rhoda Narins, MD, New York University Medical School, White Plains, New York; Gerald Bernstein, MD, Seattle, WA; Stephen Mandy, MD, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Florida; Dr. Allan Wirtzer, MD, Sherman Oaks,
California; and Kimberly Butterwick, MD, La Jolla, California.

When describing a youthful appearance, one often notes "round" or "chubby" cheeks. In contrast, older faces are termed "sunken" or "sagging". This concept of facial deflation with age is not new, but is becoming more readily embraced by the dermatologic community and the public due in part to the vast array of available dermal fillers. Unlike the loss of bone and muscle, which at this time cannot be restored, facial fat loss can be addressed. In the past, fat transfers had been employed as the sole modality (implants aside) to add volume to the face. Although fat transfers are still used, the need for surgery (even if very minor) can dissuade even the most eager patient. Luckily, we now have many choices of fillers to rejuvenate the aging face. The following is an overview of the discussion that occurred at the Hot Topic Session involving currently available dermal fillers, most of which have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).