RESTYLANE
As we grow older, more signs of
aging become more evident on our faces. This is recognizable as wrinkles
and folds, or nasolabial folds. There are various injectable cosmetic
fillers available to help improve upon one’s facial appearance and
achieve a more youthful look. These fillers add volume and smooth out
wrinkles. Collagen and fat are some of the more common fillers.
Restylane is a new form of injectable filler that provides advantages
over fat and collagen injections. Restylane is a non-animal,
biodegradable gel based on hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a
substance found in most of our bodies as it provides volume and fullness
to the skin. Restylane has been proven to last longer than fat and
collagen injections. It maintains its shape using the body’s own
moisture. What results is a longer-lasting, youthful facial appearance.
Restylane can be
used to either shape facial contours, smooth wrinkles, or sculpt lips.
What results is a healthy, more youthful, and fuller appearance. This
has grown in popularity. Since 1996, over a million individuals have
received Restylane injections worldwide.
What are
some of the most common benefits of restylane?
Unlike
other cosmetic fillers, restylane is non-animal based. This virtually
eliminates any form of animal-based disease transmission or allergic
reaction. This also eliminates pre-testing to determine any allergic
reaction. Also
Restylane has been proven to last longer than other cosmetic fillers
such as fat and collagen.
How are restylane
treatments performed?
Even though no pre-testing is
needed, before receiving Restylane injections patients should avoid
using aspirin, Vitamin E supplements and other medications. This can
increase bruising or bleeding. Be sure to ask your doctor about what you
should do to prepare for Restylane injections.
The actual treatment
itself is very brief. Receiving Restylane injections can take anywhere
from a few minutes to half an hour. This all depends on the amount of
the area that needs to be treated. During the treatment, the
practitioner injects tiny amounts of Restylane into the skin using a
very fine needle.
For wrinkles, when
the Restylane is injected, it procedures natural volume under the
wrinkle, which lifts it up and smooths it out. For facial contours, the
Restylane corrects deep folds and lifts up the skin from cheeks and
chin. This provides a fuller shape for the chin or a rounder, more
sensual line along the cheeks.
When using Restylane
for lip augmentation, the gel is injected into the inside of the upper
or lower lip. It is also injected along the lip line. Not only will this
help bring about a more youthful look, it can also help prevent lipstick
from bleeding into the small lines around the lips.
How long do treatments take?
The
Restylane injections can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour,
depending on how large of an area needs to be treated.
Another advantage to
Restylane is that the procedure is quick so the patient can have it done
during a lunch hour. So patients can take a lunch, have their Restylane
procedure, and come back to work looking younger.
Where are the treatments performed?
Restylane injections are usually administered at the
doctor’s office.
How much pain is there?
An advantage to the Restylane procedure is that it enhances
one’s appearance with a minimal amount of pain. The fine needles used
for the treatment, minimize pain.
Although pain is
minimal, for treating wrinkles and shaping facial contours, patients can
request a topical anesthetic. For sculpting lips, local anesthesia is
usually given.
What can
I expect after restylane treatment?
The results of
these injections can be seen almost immediately following treatment.
Areas may be swollen or red, but should only last for only one or two
days. The results of the Restylane can last six months or even longer.
Results may vary. Factors such as age, skin type, daily activities can
influence how long the results of Restylane will last.
Patients can choose
to undergo another treatment twice a year. Going in for a following
treatment before the results of the previous Restylane injections
disappear will help maintain the lasting effect. Those that do not
undergo a follow-up treatment will find their results returning to a
pre-treatment state. Discuss with your practitioner to plan future
visits.
In general, the best candidates for
Restylane are:
Physically healthy
Psychologically stable
Wanting to look younger and more
refreshed
Wanting to enhance their facial appearance
Well
informed in regard to the procedure’s outcome
Realistic in their
expectations
