Restylane® Injections

Houston, Texas

Procedures

Texas Restylane LogoRestylane is a cosmetic dermal filler that is derived from hyaluronic acid, a compound naturally found in the body, including the skin. It is used to restore volume and fullness to the skin, and can be used to correct moderate facial wrinkles and folds, including nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and for lip augmentation. Because Restylane is a natural compound but not derived from animal sources, allergy testing is not required and there is a very low risk of any side effects, other than redness and swelling at the injection site that typically resolves within two to three days.

Restylane for the Treatment of Wrinkles
Restylane was the first hyaluronic acid filler to receive FDA approval.  It is FDA approved for the treatment of nasolabial folds, the parentheses lines that appear around the mouth as a result of aging.  In addition, it can be used to treat mild to moderate facial wrinkles or folds that result from skin folding or a loss of facial volume, including hollows under the eyes.  Restylane is different from Botox, not a replacement treatment, but a complementary one.  Whereas Botox treats wrinkles by relaxing muscles responsible for contraction wrinkles, Restylane corrects wrinkles by filling voids under the skin.

Lasting, Effective Treatment
Restylane has been shown to be an effective treatment for facial wrinkles.  Results have been shown to last six months to a year, depending on the site treated, lifestyle, and skin characteristics.  Restylane's long-lasting effect is due to the nature of hyaluronic acid, which is hydrophilic.  Although hyaluronic acid is a natural compound that is readily absorbed by the body, it also binds water to itself, replacing the volume lost as the hyaluronic acid is gone.  Each hyaluronic acid molecule is able to retain six times its own volume by this method.

The injection procedure itself is short and simple.  Injections are performed in our office following application of a topical anesthetic, and can be completed in fifteen to twenty minutes.  You can go back to work immediately following your treatment, although you may begin to experience some swelling, redness, and bruising later that day and the swelling may continue for two to three days.  Ice and cold packs can help bring the swelling and bruising down.

To schedule your Restylane consultation, contact Paul M. Friedman, M.D, at the DermSurgery Laser Center in Houston, Texas today.

 

Restylane® compared to other treatments:


  Botulinum Toxin Type A
Description Botulinum Toxin Type A is a toxin that blocks neuromuscular transmission when injected in tiny amounts into specific muscles to treat and improve lines and wrinkles associated with facial expression.
Procedure Botulinum toxin is injected in minute quantities. It blocks the nerve impulses to the facial muscles responsible for contraction, thereby relaxing the muscles and smoothing facial lines. It is most effective on frown lines and crow's feet around the eyes. Accurate dosing and precise positioning are critical in order to freeze the right muscles just enough.
Safety The long-term risks of botulinum toxin are unknown. Redness may occur, as well as bruising, numbness, swelling and headaches. If overdosed or the injection is performed incorrectly, the patient can be left with an immobile face or droopy eyelids until the effect of the injection wears off.
Duration The result lasts for about four months.

 

  Collagen treatment
Description Collagen is derived from the hides of cows specially bred for the purpose. Collagen can also be derived from pig skin. Because collagen is an animal product, a collagen test skin implant is administered to determine whether the patient is allergic to the implant, four weeks prior to the treatment.
Procedure Collagen can be injected under the skin to fill lines and wrinkles. It is also used for lip enhancement. The treatment takes less than an hour.
Safety Redness and swelling may occur. Allergic reactions are possible in 3-4% of patients.
Duration The effect normally lasts for three to four months.

 

  Stabilized Non-Animal Hyaluronic acid gel (NASHA)
Description Hyaluronic acid is a substance that exists naturally in the body. Its most important function is to carry and bind water. Non-animal, stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA) does not contain animal protein and does not require a skin test prior to treatment.
Procedure RESTYLANE is designed for different purposes and effects, from reducing wrinkles and folds to enhancing facial contours and sculpting lips. The treatment often takes less than half an hour.
Safety Injection-related adverse reactions such as swelling, redness and tenderness might occur. Other adverse reactions are very rare.
Duration The result is immediate and can last from 6 - 12 months, depending on the patient and the area that is being treated.

 

  Other Hyaluronic acid products
Description In addition to RESTYLANE, a range of hyaluronic acid treatments is available. Some of these products are derived from cockscombs bred especially for this purpose.
Procedure Hyaluronic acid is used to treat lips, wrinkles and facial lines. The treatment takes less than an hour to perform.
Safety Swelling, redness and tenderness may occur at the site of injection.
Duration The duration varies depending on the type of product, the condition of the patient and the area being treated.

 

  Permanent/semi-permanent skin implants
Description Permanent and semi-permanent skin implants contain a range of different synthetic ingredients to make the product last longer.
Procedure These products are used to fill lines and wrinkles and to augment lips by injection. Some of the products require at least two treatment sessions.
Safety For some products, very little or no safety data at all are available. Immediate reactions include redness and swelling at the injection site. Longer-term reactions include permanent redness, inflammation, lumpiness, skin discoloration or granulomas.
Duration The duration differs between the products. Some claim to last for ever, while others offer a sustained improvement for up to twelve months.

 

  Fat injections / liposculpture
Description Fat injections or liposculpture are performed using the patient's own fat cells taken from unwanted fat deposits. There are many variables in this treatment, including the way the fat is extracted, whether frozen or fresh fat is used, the area that is injected, the amount of fat that is used and how deeply the fat is injected.
Procedure The fat is injected under the skin to treat hollow cheeks, to enhance lips or cheeks or to treat deep folds. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and can take from less than one hour to several hours.
Safety Some lumpiness can occur, in addition to injection-related reactions. If the patient puts on weight, the injected area can become enlarged, which may not be desirable.
Duration The reported duration varies from a few months to several.