Restylane and Perlane
contain hyaluronic acid which is a substance present in all human beings. Perlane has a larger particle size than Restylane and is to be used for the deep folds and wrinkles. They work in skin by combining with the water in your tissue to create volume, plumping up the cells and creating a more youthful and healthy appearance. Restylane and Perlane contain hyaluronic acid in the form of a crystal-clear gel injected into the skin to lift the lip, wrinkle or fold. Once in the skin, Restylane and Perlane work together with the body's own hyaluronic acid and joins forces to create volume.
Restylane and Perlane can last anywhere from 4-12 months. After the first injection a touch-up in 2-4 weeks may be necessary.
Injections are usually put into the frown lines, lines around the mouth (nasolabial folds and marionette lines), to fill the lip for more fullness and into the lip lines.
Restylane and Perlane are used for filling lines that are seen when your facial muscles are relaxed. If you are trying to prevent the wrinkles from appearing with motion or to prevent wrinkles from deepening, then Botox® should be used instead or in combination with Restylane or Perlane.
Restylane and Perlane can be used without anesthetic, but it is most common to do a small nerve block around the mouth when using the filler in this area.
Restylane and Perlane have been shown to be safe products and have been available for many years in Europe.
Do not apply excessive heat or massage the area for about a week as this may breakdown the Restylane and Perlane quicker.
After the injection you may see some redness or swelling for 2-3 days.
Restylane and Perlane do not have to be tested for allergies
Other trade names for hyaluronic acid
Juviderm, Captique, Hylaform and Hylaform Plus
Collagen derived either from a bovine source
Zyderm or Zyplast or from a human source
Cymetra, Cosmoderm, Cosmoplast, Autologen, Fascian
These fillers are more difficult to process and inject into the wrinkles or suffer from the fact that a skin test may have to be performed first to test for allergies.
Semi-permanent fillers
ArteFill
bovine collagen and polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres combined with Lidocaine (local anesthesia)
Replacement for Artecoll- approved by the FDA for Nasolabial lines or folds.
5 yrs duration of correction studies have shown
3 step process:
Skin testing, following by injection of about 70% correction, followed by a 2nd injection about 3 months later to the final correction of the line.
Artecoll
bovine collagen and polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres
May be permanent as your own collagen forms around the microspheres which do not absorb.
Problems encounter - Lumping, granulomas (localized skin reactions to foreign bodies, which can appear as hardness or a rash) and movement of the micro-spheres to other areas of the body.
Radiesse (formerly called Radiance)
Calcium hydroxyl-apatite (a substance found in bone and teeth, made into an injectable paste)
Can last 2-5 years and works by your own collagen forming around the micro-spheres.
Problems encountered - Similar in many respects to Artecoll with clumping, lumping, granulomas and micro-spheres that may move to other areas of the body. If injected next to bone, formation of bone can occur, which also can be advantageous in certain situations.
Sculpta
Synthetic polylactic acid contained in micro-spheres.
Permanent fillers
Silicone
is not allowed for use in the USA as an injectable
Although an excellent injectable filler when injected in small amounts, larger amounts form granulomas and adherent lumps to the skin which can eventually become noticeable.