Soft Tissue Fillers
New “fillers” have been introduced to help improve wrinkles, enhance lips and restore youthful facial contours in the lower and upper face. Kathleen M. Welsh, MD, one of the most experienced dermatologists in San Francisco, is using these wrinkle fillers to help keep her patients looking their best.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several new fillers for wrinkles and contour improvements. They include: the collagen family, Restylane®, Perlane® and Juvéderm®. Another option is Radiesse®. Radiesse is an injectable gel with over 25 years of safety data behind it for other uses. It has an off-label use for facial rejuvenation. Given so many choices, Dr. Welsh can help you pick which product is best for you. Your choice may depend on prior treatments, whether your lines are deep or etched, or on upcoming social engagements. Wrinkle fillers can be done on the same day as your consultation and can give long-lasting, natural-looking results.
Restylane® & Perlane®
The world's most popular and most studied cosmetic dermal fillers, Restylane and its new companion Perlane offer exceptional treatments for moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, especially the nasolabial folds that stretch from the nose to the corners of the mouth. Restylane and Perlane replenish lost volume in the skin and restore youthful contours to the face by lifting and supporting tissues non-surgically. The outcome is a younger, smoother look with fewer lines and wrinkles. Results are immediate and long-lasting.
What are Restylane and Perlane made of?
Restylane and Perlane are clear, synthetic gels made with purified hyaluronic acid, a natural sugar that is found throughout your body. Hyaluronic acid works with collagen to support the skin and keep it smooth and supple. The hyaluronic acid in Restylane and Perlane has been modified so it lasts longer. It forms strong bonds with water molecules in the skin, prolonging its rejuvenating effects for up to six months or more.
What areas can be treated with Restylane and Perlane?
Restylane and Perlane are FDA-approved for the treatment of moderate to severe folds and wrinkles on the face. They are extremely effective in treating the nasolabial folds, the lines that stretch from the the nose to the sides of the mouth.
What is the difference between Restylane and Perlane?
The gel particles in Perlane are larger than those in Restylane, making Perlane ideal for treating deeper folds in the skin.
Do I need a skin test?
Restylane and Perlane contain no animal products, unlike many of the substances that are found in other injectable cosmetic fillers. There is no need for pre-treatment skin tests.
How soon will I see results?
You will see results almost instantly.
Are there any side effects?
Restylane and Perlane are very safe products. The most common side effects of treatment are swelling, redness, pain, bruising and tenderness in and around the injection areas. These typically fade within a week.
How long do the effects of a Restylane or Perlane treatment last?
In general, the effects of Restylane treatments last six months, and the effects of Perlane treatments last at least six months. Results very by individual and depend on many factors, such as the patient's life, age, structure of the skin, the degree of perfection demanded and the practitioner's injection technique.
Touch-up and follow-up treatments will make the improvements of Restylane and Perlane last longer. Most patients choose to have a touch-up treatment within six months to a year of the original injection(s).
What should I do after my Restylane or Perlane treatment?
During the first 48 hours after your treatment, do not massage or rub the treated area. Do not expose the treated area to intense heat or cold for the first few days after the treatment to avoid swelling. Once Restylane and Perlane have integrated into the body, they will adjust to your normal body temperature.
To learn more about soft tissue fillers and to find out if treatment is right for you, please Contact Us today to schedule a consultation.
