Mastering the Rheology of Movement: A Deep Dive into XpresHAn Technology™ for Natural Mid-Cheek Volumization
In the modern clinical landscape, the greatest challenge in facial volumization is not the lack of projection, but the preservation of natural movement. While traditional high-viscosity fillers provide excellent bone-mimicking support, they often fail in “dynamic zones”—areas of high muscular activity like the mid-cheeks and perioral region. Restylane Volyme OBT, powered by Optimal Balance Technology (OBT)—also known as XpresHAn Technology™ in North America—is Galderma’s definitive solution for clinicians who refuse to compromise between structural volume and facial expression.
The shift in patient expectations toward “undetectable aesthetics” has forced a re-evaluation of gel rheology. When a patient smiles or speaks, a filler with low flexibility can create a visible mass or a “frozen” contour, particularly in the medial malar region. This is where the unique properties of Restylane Volyme OBT become indispensable. By utilizing a specific cross-linking process that prioritizes high stretchability over mere stiffness, this gel integrates seamlessly into the interstitial spaces of the dermis and subcutaneous fat. It does not simply displace tissue; it becomes a functional part of the facial anatomy.
Clinically, the Restylane Volyme OBT formulation offers a lower $G’$ (Elastic Modulus) compared to structural fillers like Restylane Lyft, but it compensates with an exceptional ability to withstand $x$-strain. This means the product can deform under intense muscular pressure and immediately recoil to its original shape without migrating or causing the dreaded “shelf effect.” For the practitioner, this provides the confidence to treat the “dynamic mid-face”—the area where youthfulness is defined by soft, rounded transitions rather than sharp, static lines. Ultimately, choosing Restylane Volyme OBT allows for a restorative approach that respects the biological mechanics of the human face, ensuring that volume is only noticed for its beauty, never for its presence.
1. The Engineering of XpresHAn / OBT Technology
Unlike the NASHA® technology (found in Restylane Lyft), which creates firm, calibrated gels for static support, OBT (Optimal Balance Technology) focuses on tissue integration and stretchability.
The cross-linking process in Restylane Volyme allows the hyaluronic acid (HA) chains to create a mesh that is both supportive and elastic. This is quantified by its rheological profile:
- High Tissue Integration: The gel distributes evenly between collagen fibers.
- Dynamic Flexibility: The gel deforms with muscle contraction and returns to its original shape without creating “shelf-like” appearances during smiling or talking.
Technical Specifications
- HA Concentration: 20 mg/mL.
- Cross-linking Level: Medium-High (optimized for volume).
- Calibration: Large gel particle size for deep placement.
2. Comparative Rheology: Volyme vs. Structural Fillers
For a medical director, choosing the right tool depends on the G’ (Elastic Modulus) and the x-strain (Flexibility).
| Feature | Restylane Lyft (NASHA) | Restylane Volyme (OBT) |
| Primary Goal | Bone-like Projection | Dynamic Volumization |
| Gel Texture | Firm / Particulate | Soft / Integrated |
| Flexibility | Low (Static) | High (Dynamic) |
| Ideal Zone | Zygomatic Arch / Temple | Mid-Cheek (Malar Fat Pads) |
| Lifting Capacity | High / Focused | High / Diffuse |
3. Clinical Focus: The “Dynamic Mid-Cheek” Protocol
The mid-face is the most expressive part of the human countenance. Using a rigid filler in the medial malar fat pad can result in the “apple effect” where the filler looks like a solid lump when the patient laughs.
Injection Strategy with Restylane Volyme OBT:
- Planing: Targeted at the deep malar fat pads and the sub-orbicularis oculi fat (SOOF).
- Technique: Deep supraperiosteal bolus for base support, followed by fanning in the deep subcutaneous layer.
- The Result: A “cushioning” effect that restores youthful fullness while allowing the zygomaticus major and minor muscles to move freely over the filler.
Clinical Insight: Restylane Volyme OBT is particularly effective for patients with thin skin or low subcutaneous fat, where the edges of traditional fillers might become visible during movement.
4. Why Restylane Volyme is the Clinic’s “Workhorse”
Integrating Restylane Volyme OBT into your practice addresses the growing patient demand for “undetectable” work.
- Longevity: Clinical studies show results lasting up to 18 months in the malar region.
- Patient Comfort: The soft nature of the OBT gel leads to less “foreign body” sensation post-injection.
- Safety Profile: High biocompatibility with minimal delayed inflammatory responses (DIR).
5. Official Sources and Scientific References
- Galderma Aesthetic Microsite: Restylane Professional Portfolio
- Clinical Study on XpresHAn Technology: Dermatologic Surgery Journal – Comparison of HA Fillers in Dynamic Zones
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS): Available through the Galderma Professional Portal.
The content of this publication is intended exclusively for healthcare professionals (HCPs), including aesthetic physicians, dermatologists, and plastic surgeons, who are legally authorized and qualified to perform injectable treatments. This information is of a technical-scientific nature and is not intended for the general public or patients.