Abstract

Objectives: Objective: evaluate the short-term efficacy, patient satisfaction, objective tissue displacement, and safety profile of HA-enriched absorbable threads in the treatment of mild-to-moderate facial laxity Introduction: Minimally invasive facial rejuvenation has evolved from purely mechanical lifting toward integrated approaches that also address skin quality. Absorbable PC/PLLA threads promote tissue repositioning and progressive neocollagenesis, while hyaluronic acid may enhance hydration and dermal remodeling. HA-enriched threads aim to combine immediate lifting with biostimulatory effects. Clinical evidence supporting this dual action remains limited, particularly when objective measurements are included. This pilot study explores the short-term efficacy, objective lifting effect, patient satisfaction Materials / method: This retrospective, single-arm pilot study included 10 female patients presenting with mild-to-moderate facial laxity. All patients were treated in the mid- and lower face using an average of 10 absorbable barbed PC/PLLA threads enriched with hyaluronic acid per patient. Clinical evaluation was performed at baseline and at six months post-treatment. Outcomes were assessed using a combined subjective (GAIS) and objective approach, an AI-driven tool for facial analysis. Adverse events were recorded throughout the follow-up period Results: At six-month follow-up, both patients and investigators reported high overall satisfaction, with GAIS scores indicating good to very good aesthetic improvement. Subjective assessments consistently described immediate correction of facial ptosis associated with improved skin hydration and texture. Objective evaluation confirmed significant contour enhancement and measurable tissue displacement in treated areas, supporting the coexistence of mechanical lifting and skin quality improvement. The procedure was well tolerated, no serious adverse events were observed. Conclusion: In this small retrospective pilot study, absorbable PC/PLLA threads enriched with hyaluronic acid demonstrated a favorable safety profile and produced clinically appreciable improvements in facial contour and skin quality at six months. The combination of immediate mechanical support and biostimulatory effects appears to offer a synergistic approach to facial rejuvenation in selected patients with mild-to-moderate laxity. Larger, prospective controlled studies with longer follow-up are required to confirm durability and to better quantify the relative contribution of HA enrichment.