ABCS Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures and Aesthetic Medicine 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which dermal filler is composed of calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres suspended in an aqueous gel carrier?
- Juvederm Ultra
- Radiesse (Correct answer)
- Sculptra
- Belotero Balance
Correct answer: Radiesse
Radiesse is composed of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres in a carboxymethylcellulose gel, providing both immediate volume and collagen stimulation.
Question 2: A patient presents with Tyndall effect after hyaluronic acid filler injection to the tear trough. What is the most appropriate treatment?
- Topical retinol cream
- Hyaluronidase injection (Correct answer)
- Laser resurfacing
- Corticosteroid injection
Correct answer: Hyaluronidase injection
Hyaluronidase dissolves hyaluronic acid filler and is the treatment of choice for Tyndall effect, which occurs when filler is placed too superficially.
Question 3: What is the primary mechanism of action of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) fillers such as Sculptra?
- Immediate volume replacement via hydrophilic gel
- Stimulation of fibroblasts to produce new collagen (Correct answer)
- Fat cell augmentation through lipogenesis
- Cross-linking of dermal elastin fibers
Correct answer: Stimulation of fibroblasts to produce new collagen
PLLA is a biostimulator that works by triggering a controlled inflammatory response leading to fibroblast activation and de novo collagen synthesis over several months.
Question 4: Which botulinum toxin serotype is used in all commercially available cosmetic neurotoxin products (Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau)?
- Serotype A (Correct answer)
- Serotype B
- Serotype C
- Serotype E
Correct answer: Serotype A
All FDA-approved cosmetic botulinum toxin products use serotype A, which cleaves SNAP-25 protein to inhibit acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction.
Question 5: A patient develops ptosis of the upper eyelid 1 week after botulinum toxin injection for glabellar lines. Which topical agent can temporarily improve the ptosis?
- Brimonidine tartrate 0.1%
- Apraclonidine 0.5% eye drops (Correct answer)
- Timolol maleate 0.5%
- Latanoprost 0.005%
Correct answer: Apraclonidine 0.5% eye drops
Apraclonidine (Iopidine) stimulates Müller's muscle via alpha-adrenergic agonism, temporarily elevating the upper eyelid by 1–2 mm to compensate for toxin-induced ptosis.
Question 6: Which laser parameter describes the time required for the target chromophore to cool to half of its peak temperature after laser exposure?
- Pulse duration
- Thermal relaxation time (Correct answer)
- Fluence
- Spot size
Correct answer: Thermal relaxation time
Thermal relaxation time (TRT) is the time for a target to dissipate 50% of its heat, and selecting pulse durations shorter than TRT is the basis of selective photothermolysis.
Question 7: What is the recommended minimum interval between Sculptra (PLLA) treatment sessions to allow adequate collagen production assessment?
- 2 weeks
- 4 weeks (Correct answer)
- 6 weeks
- 3 months
Correct answer: 4 weeks
Treatment sessions with PLLA are typically spaced 4–6 weeks apart, with 4 weeks being the minimum recommended interval to assess collagen stimulation before the next injection.
ABCS Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures and Aesthetic Medicine 2
Which dermal filler is composed of calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres suspended in an aqueous gel carrier?