Restylane/Perlane Injection
Procedure: Restylane/Perlane Injection
Surgery Length: 15 minutes
Anesthesia: Ice pack applied or prescription numbing cream
Where: Outpatient Office
Recovery: Redness, bruising and/or swelling lasting approximately seven days. Some visible lumps may occur temporarily following the injection.
Back to work: same day
Full activities: Immediately
Risks: Return of Herpes, sores on the lips if not pre-medicated with antibiotic prescription, Damage to the skin when a blood vessel is injected (Rare),
The Restylane® family of products includes Restylane and Perlane®. Restylane products are the number one selling dermal filler in the U.S. and worldwide. Both are safe and natural cosmetic dermal fillers that replace lost volume and restore youthful contours to the skin to smooth away moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as the lines from your nose to the corners of your mouth (nasolabial folds). The difference between the two products is the particle size. Perlane gel particles are larger and designed for deeper injection than Restylane. Dr. Kennedy will decide which product is right for you based on the evaluation of facial wrinkles and folds. The main difference between Botox and Restylane is that Restylane products are biodegradable, cosmetic fillers injected into the skin, adding volume to smooth wrinkles such as the lines from your nose to the corners of your mouth. In contrast, Botox® relaxes the muscles that cause the frown lines between your eyebrows, forehead and orbital areas. (see Botox)
Restylane is the first cosmetic dermal filler made of non-animal-based hyaluronic 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. The hyaluronic acid in Restylane is a crystal-clear gel called NASHA,™ or Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid. NASHA is biodegradable and fully biocompatible with human hyaluronic acid. Unlike rooster-derived hyaluronic acid-based products, Restylane is free form animal proteins. This quality limits the risk of animal-based disease transmission or allergic reaction. Restylane contains trace amounts of gram-positive bacterial proteins and should not be used by patients with a history of allergies to such material.
Restylane is safe and has been used by dermatologists and plastic surgeons since 1996 worldwide. There is limited risk of animal-based disease transmission or allergic reaction. Restylane is fully biocompatible and allergy testing is not required. In the U.S. the FDA has approved Restylane for facial wrinkles and folds like the ones from the nose to the corners of the mouth. Restylane has been used in more than 3 million treatments in over 60 countries to correct a variety of wrinkles. Your doctor will consult with you prior to your injection regarding common treatment areas. Clinical studies showed no significant differences in the safety of Restylane and Perlane. The Restylane and Perlane products are broken down and eliminated by the body -(unlike permanent fillers), thus no material is left in the skin after it has dissolved.
Restylane and Perlane require no skin pre testing, but you should take a few precautions before being treated. Avoid using aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, St. John’s Wort, or high doses of Vitamin E supplements prior to treatment, because these may increase brusing or bleeding at the injection site. Also, if you have previously suffered from facial cold sores, discuss this with your doctor, who may prescribe a medication to minimize recurrence with an oral antiviral drug.
Restylane ® products are proven to deliver long-lasting results. Restylane lasts about six months to a year and Perlane ® lasts at least six months to 16 months, in a majority of patients. The products’ patented stabilization technology helps maintain the cosmetic effect for these time periods.
Resytlane products are injected directly into the skin in small amounts by an ultrafine needle. As with all injections, some patients may experience discomfort. To increase your comfort, Dr. Kennedy will assess your needs and determine the appropriate technique for addressing discomfort that is right for you.
The risks are minor, after your treatment you might have some redness or swelling. This will normally last less than seven days. Sunbathing and cold outdoor activities should be avoided until any redness or swelling disappears. You should not be treated with Restylane if you are pregnant, breast-feeding or under the age of eighteen. If you have had herpes (cold sores) before, an injection can cause the herpes to return. Dr. Kennedy can prescribe a medication to keep this from happening. In rare circumstances, this product might be injected into a blood vessel, which can damage the skin. To decrease bleeding and bruising, you should not use this product if you recently used drugs that thin your blood or prevent clotting. The Restylane family should not be used by people with previous bad allergies, particularly to certain microorganisms known as gram positive bacteria, or by people with previous bad allergies to drugs that have required in-hospital treatment. If use of this product at the site of skin sores, pimples, rashes, hives, cysts or infections should be postponed until healing is complete.
