Restylane fills in wrinkles, while BOTOX (botulinum toxin) softens the appearance of facial lines by weakening the muscles that cause contractions underneath the skin. Dermal fillers such as Restylane and Perlane® actually add volume under the surface of the skin to plump up creases and folds from the inside out. This makes fillers ideal for reducing crevices around the mouth and inflating lips and hollow cheeks. The transparent hyaluronic acid gel in Restylane and Perlane soften the deep creases that extend from the nostrils to the corners of the mouth called the nasolabial folds, as well as the marionette lines or commissures that form lines that look like parentheses from the mouth to the chin.

At a certain age, usually in a person's 40s and up, a loss of fullness in the face and flattened cheekbones tend to be added to the growing list of improvements women and men demand from a non-surgical lift. Whereas Botox has made many foreheads smoother by improving frown and squint lines, it isn't as effective in the lower two thirds of the face. That's where Restylane and Perlane have the most potential.

Restylane

Restylane is a safe and natural cosmetic dermal filler that restores volume and fullness to the skin to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as the nasolabial folds.

It is the first and only cosmetic dermal filler made of non-animal based hyaluraonic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that already exists in the human body and is used to provide volume and fullness to the skin.

Restylane contrasts from BOTOX therapy which is a drug that blocks nerve transmission and relaxes the underlying muscles. Many patients have been very pleased after receiving treatment with both products.

You may be a candidate for Restylane if you have wrinkles on your face or around your lips that you want to diminish. Restylane can also be used if you desire to have fuller or more defined lips, if you have deep nasolabial folds (the lines between the nose and the corner of your mouth). Restylane can smooth out, fill in and decrease wrinkles. It is also intended to plump lips and define the edges of lips. Restylane is helpful because it can fill in and reduce the depth of the nasolabial fold and can also fill in depressed, acne scars. Restylane can also be used to restore the "padding" in the lower eyelid which can diminish the appearance of dark circles.

The average treatment results last six months or even longer. Restylane lasts twice as long as collagen, so treatments can typically be scheduled twice a year.

See how much Restylane is needed for optimal correction.

The interactive Restylane Results Demonstration can give you a closer idea of how much Restylane dermal filler may be needed to achieve a full correction of your facial wrinkles and folds. This exciting demonstration shows how Restylane worked on actual men and women. Simply click on the link below, choose the photo that best represents your wrinkles and view the amazing effects that one, two or three syringes of Restylane can achieve. Use this as a guide in discussing with your physician how many syringes he or she may recommend in order to achieve a full correction.

Click here to use the interactive Restylane Results Demonstration and see how the benefits that worked for so many can work for you.

Perlane, from the Restylane Family of Products

Perlane is approved in the U.S. for the treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as the lines from the nose to the corners of your mouth (nasolabial folds). Restylane is the world's most used, most studied cosmetic dermal filler, and has been used in over 70 countries and in more than 1.4 million treatments in the U.S.

The hyaluronic acid gel in Perlane adds volume and restores surface contours to smooth away moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. Perlane is composed of larger gel particles than Restylane and intended for deeper injection to volumize skin for structural support. The procedure is convenient and non-surgical, and the results are virtually instantaneous.

JUVÉDERM®

JUVÉDERM® is a "next generation" smooth gel, non-animal dermal filler offering a natural look/feel and long-lasting results for up to six months or longer. JUVÉDERM dermal filler lasts long because it's the only dermal filler currently available with the highest concentration of hyaluronic acid and a special formulation process. This process creates a smooth gel that flows easily into the skin, creating smooth, natural looks.

Our plastic surgeons are the first in the Fredericksburg area to launch this product. See our press release regarding our participation in the JUVÉDERM patient trial.

Fat Injections

Fat Injections are also useful in restoring a naturally full look and soft feel to the face, back of the hands and even the buttocks. Fat can fill in hollow areas and creases for a younger and more stabilized apperance. Advantages of using your own fat include: no risk of allergy and nothing is more natural in feel or apperance than human fat. Results can also last from several months to indefinitely.

Please ask about other long-term fillers that may be available and appropriate for your needs.

If you would like to find out more about injectables and how Plastic Surgery Services of Fredericksburg can help you improve the aging face contact us online to request a facial rejuvenation consultation. Or you can call our office at 540-371-7730 and one of our staff members will be pleased to assist you.