Facial Plastic SurgeryQ – What is Restylane®?
Restylane® is an injectable filler which may be used during an office-based procedure to treat unwanted facial creases and moderately deep wrinkles by augmentation of the underlying soft tissue. Restylane® can also be used to reshape and recontour certain regions of the face in a non-surgical fashion. Restylane® is one of the most popular choices when it comes to injectable fillers. It is predominantly made of hyaluronic acid, a natural substance found in the body that is highly attracted to water and binds moisture with great ease. This feature affords Restylane® its ability to fill in wrinkles and creases by bringing water (and therefore volume) to the area of concern, providing a soft, supple enhancement that looks very natural.
Q – What is Restylane® made of?
Restylane® is predominantly made of hyaluronic acid. This is a natural substance found in the body that is highly attracted to water and binds moisture with great ease. As such, Restylane® can fill in wrinkles and creases by bringing water (and therefore volume) to the area of concern, allowing for a soft, supple and very natural-looking enhancement.
Q – Who is a good candidate for Restylane® treatments?
Most candidates for Restylane® injections are looking to improve unwanted facial creases and moderately deep wrinkles. Restylane® is commonly used to treat the nasolabial fold, or smile line, that is formed by the border of the cheek and upper lip. This is a classic area where deepening of the crease leads to the appearance of looking older and more tired, and many patients elect to have a filler injected under the skin to help plump out and erase these bothersome lines. Other patients are looking to simply enhance or sculpt the overall shape of the face in a minimally invasive, nonsurgical manner, often to improve areas of the face that appear excessively hollowed, flat or deflated. For instance, many patients opt for Restylane® injections of the upper and lower lip to fill in and plump the lips, making them appear fuller and more feminine. Restylane® can also be used for contour enhancement of the lower eyelids, cheeks, and jowl region to mimic a non-surgical facelift (popularized by the term ‘lunch time lift’). Restylane® is ideal for patients interested in facial enhancement and seeking a more vibrant, youthful look with minimal downtime. The majority of people who are treated with Restylane® are thrilled with the immediate results and appreciate the ability to return to their busy schedule within the day.
Q – Where is the Restylane® treatment performed?
Restylane® treatments are performed in the office setting.
Q – What type of anesthesia is used for Restylane® treatment?
Topical anesthesia with or without a nerve block may be used for the Restylane® injection to maximize the patient’s comfort.
Q – How is the Restylane® injection performed?
There is no need for skin testing with Restylane®. If patients desire, a nerve block can be administered to maximize comfort during the procedure. The areas of concern are visually identified and Restylane® is then placed under the skin into the superficial and/or deep dermis. Placement along these layers helps to plump out the overlying skin crease or wrinkle. Restylane® augmentation for facial contouring, such as in the cheek, is done in a similar fashion but over a broader area. Restylane® injections for the lip can be done to provide a fuller red lip and/or to better define the vermillion border of the lip (the natural curve between the red and white lip). In some cases, patients also benefit from injection above and below the vermillion to address unwanted vertical lip lines. Once the injections are administered, an ice compress is then used to help minimize the chances of swelling and bruising.
Q – How long does the Restylane® treatment take to perform?
Restylane® treatments usually take less than fifteen minutes to complete.
Q – What is the recovery like after Restylane® treatment?
In our experience, a very small percentage of patients will develop bruising or swelling at the treatment site lasting beyond twenty-four hours after Restylane® treatment. In some cases, you will be instructed to massage or ‘pinch and roll’ the treated areas for an additional several days to further smooth the injection sites and to maximize results.
Q – When will I be able to return to work after undergoing Restylane® treatment?
Patients are able to return to work and other normal activities within twenty-four hours after the Restylane® treatment.
Q – When will I be able to exercise after my Restylane® treatment?
Patients are able to resume aerobic exercise within twenty-four hours after the Restylane® treatment.
Q – Are there risks or complications with Restylane®?
Restylane® treatment is generally very safe. In rare cases, the Restylane® may become slightly lumpy in focal areas, which typically responds to massage and/or an office-based injection of hyaluronidase to help to dissolve away any unwanted Restylane®.
Q – Does insurance cover Restylane® treatment?
Restylane® treatments performed for cosmetic reasons alone are generally not covered by insurance, though patients will need to check with their own insurer.
Q – How long do the results of Restylane® last?
Patients can typically expect the Restylane® enhancement to last upwards of six to nine months. Because Restylane® has proven to last longer than collagen, it has essentially replaced collagen as one of the primary wrinkle therapies.
Q – What is Radiesse®?
Radiesse®, previously known as Radiance, is an injectable filler that may be used during an office-based procedure to treat unwanted facial creases and deep wrinkles by augmentation of the underlying soft tissue. Radiesse® can also be used to reshape and recontour the face in a non-surgical fashion. This filler is commonly used to treat the nasolabial fold (smile line) and to improve hollowed, flat or deflated areas of the face such as the cheeks or jowls. Providing a more vibrant and youthful look with minimal downtime, Radiesse® is one of the most popular choices for an injectable filler. Radiesse® is comprised of calcium hydroxylapatite, a naturally occurring substance found in the human body. Compared to hyaluronic acid fillers, such as Restylane® and ®, Radiesse® produces more volume enhancement (plumping) per amount injected under the skin. Radiesse® can produce long-term improvement with results that may last upwards of eighteen to twenty-four months on average.
Q – What is Radiesse® made of?
Radiesse® is primarily made of calcium hydroxylapatite, which is a naturally occurring substance found in the human body. However, it is synthetic, which means it is not derived from human or animal tissue. Therefore, there is no risk of infectious transmission and there is no need for skin testing. Radiesse® produces more volume enhancement (plumping) per amount injected under the skin compared to hyaluronic acid fillers and, as such, it must be placed deeper in the skin.
Q – Who is a good candidate for Radiesse®?
Good candidates for Radiesse® injections individuals who are concerned with unwanted facial creases and deep wrinkles. One of the most popular areas for Radiesse® treatment is the nasolabial fold, or smile line, that is formed by the border of the cheek and upper lip. Deepening of this crease can lead to an aged or tired appearance. Other patients desire Radiesse® injections to simply enhance or sculpt the overall shape of their face in a minimally invasive, nonsurgical manner. Many of these patients are unhappy with areas of the face that appear excessively hollowed, flat or deflated. For instance, Radiesse® may be used to treat the cheek or jowls to fill in and plump out tissue that is showing signs of the aging process. By adding volume to the face with Radiesse®, more shape and contour is created that, in turn, gives the appearance of looking more rested and youthful. Due to its thicker composition, Radiesse® is not widely considered safe for injection into the lip. Other options such as Restylane®, fat injections and lip implants should be considered as alternative options.
Q – Where is the Radiesse® injection performed?
The Radiesse® injection is performed in the office setting.
Q – What type of anesthesia is used for the Radiesse® injection?
A topical anesthesia with or without a nerve block may be used during the Radiesse® injection to maximize the patient’s comfort.
Q – How is the Radiesse® injection performed?
If patients desire, a nerve block can be administered to maximize comfort during the procedure. The areas of concern are then visually identified and the Radiesse® is injected under the skin into the deep dermis or subcutaneous tissue planes. Placement along these layers helps to plump out the overlying skin crease or wrinkle. Radiesse® augmentation for facial contouring, such as in the cheek, is done in a similar fashion but over a broader area. Radiesse® must be placed deeper in the skin compared to hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane® and JUVÉDERM® because it produces more volume enhancement or plumping per amount injected under the skin. Once the Radiesse® is injected, an ice compress will be used to help minimize the chances of swelling and bruising.
Q – How long does a Radiesse® procedure take to perform?
The Radiesse® injection usually takes less than thirty minutes to complete.
Q – What is the recovery like after Radiesse® treatment?
Most patients will note mild swelling for twelve to twenty-four hours after Radiesse® treatment and this can be minimized by using cold compresses. Bruising is quite rare and is typically only seen in patients incidentally taking low dose aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication. During the first twelve to twenty-four hours after treatment, patients may be able to feel (but not see) the outline of the Radiesse® under the skin. Within that period, the Radiesse® quickly softens and blends into the soft tissue to leave you with a smooth, volume enhanced appearance. In some cases you will be instructed to massage the treated areas for an additional several days to maximize the results of the injections.
Q – When will I be able to return to work after undergoing Radiesse® treatment?
Most patients can return to work and other normal activities within twenty-four hours after treatment.
Q – When will I be able to exercise after my Radiesse® treatment?
Most exercise may be resumed within twenty-four hours after treatment with Radiesse®.
Q – Are there any risks or complications with Radiesse®?
Radiesse® is generally a very safe treatment. In rare cases, the Radiesse® may become slightly lumpy in focal areas, which typically responds to massage and/or an office-based touch-up procedure to help further blend the filler.
Q – Does insurance ever cover Radiesse® treatment?
Radiesse® treatment performed for cosmetic purposes is typically not covered by insurance, though patients will need to check with their own insurer.
Q – How long do the results of Radiesse® last?
The results of Radiesse® last upwards of eighteen to twenty-four months on average.
Dr. John Hilinski has either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
