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For years, collagen replacement therapy has
been used to augment lips and improve facial lines, folds, and depressed
scars. Collagen is very popular, but it has always necessitated
frequent touch-up sessions to maintain correction. Fortunately,
we now have a new, longer-lasting, FDA-approved alternative known
as Restylane. Dr. Dhir and Dr. Massa perform Restylane injections.
What is Restylane?
Restylane is a clear, transparent gel consisting of NASHA (non-animal
stabilized hyaluronic acid). Hyaluronic acid is one of the natural
constituents of synovial (joint) fluid. It is viscous, yet soft
and pliable – making it an excellent material for dermal filling
and lifting. Best of all – it is naturally present in all
organs of the human body, including the skin – making it a
safe choice for dermal filling.
How do Restylane injections
work?
Collagen is the primary component of skin. Over time, natural collagen
is lost, causing wrinkles and folds to become more prominent. This
is particularly noticeable around the mouth. Restylane can be used
to replace this lost collagen. Some depressed scars can be improved
in a similar manner.
What are the advantages of Restylane over traditional
dermal fillers such as collagen?
- Restylane typically lasts about 6 months –
i.e. twice as long as collagen.
- Restylane has a softer, more pliable consistency
than collagen, and may look and feel more natural. Also, Restylane
provides more volume per unit than traditional collagen. A syringe
containing 0.7 cc of Restylane provides the same degree of correction
as 1.2 cc of collagen.
- The risk of an allergic reaction to Restylane is
very remote, and a pre-treatment allergy test is not needed as
with traditional collagen.
- Restylane binds to water and helps hydrate the
dermis.
- A one-to-one correction is utilized with Restylane,
which means that you don’t have to suffer through an awkward
overcorrection phase as with older methods such as fat implantation
and Alloderm.
What are the limitations
of Restylane?
Most patients experience some redness, swelling, bruising, and mild
tenderness following treatment. Rare side effects can include infection,
scabbing, and discoloration. However, downtime is typically minimal,
and most patients look good within 24 – 36 hours. The biggest
potential problem with any filler is nodule formation. Fortunately,
this is quite rare with Restylane – occurring in less than
1% of patients. Typically, these nodules resolve within a few days
or weeks; however, in rare cases, they may require treatment with
a cortisone injection, needle manipulation, or even minor surgery.
Older dermal fillers, such as collagen, have been
very rarely reported to cause retinal artery occlusion and blindness
when injected into the skin immediately surrounding the eyes. Therefore,
we do not inject Restylane into the skin just adjacent to the eyes.
Botox is an excellent, and safe, alternative for use around the
eyes. In fact, many patients benefiting from Restylane in the lower
face maximize their results with concurrent Botox injections in
the upper face.
After Restylane treatment, you should minimize exposure
to sun or sunlamps, and extreme cold weather, until any initial
swelling or redness has resolved. We do not recommend Restylane
if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
What is the cost of
Restylane therapy?
The cost is $480 for one 1.0 cc syringe. Most patients need one
or two syringes to achieve initial correction. This is typically
performed in a single session, but a few patients may benefit from
a touch-up visit a few weeks later. Treatment is considered cosmetic,
and is not covered by insurance. Payment-in-full is due on the day
of the procedure.
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