The lines on my face are making me feel older than I am
Q. Lately I have noticed that the lines around my mouth are deepening. My friend told me that they’re called marionette lines. It’s making me feel old, worn and extremely self-conscious. I have heard about Restylane®. Is this something that would give me a “lift”?
A. Restylane® is a hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler that is most commonly used to fill creases and hollows in the face. It has been used to fill crow’s feet, marionette lines and eyebrow furrows, as well as giving you plump, luscious lips. It was approved by the FDA in 2003 and has been used in more than a million treatments in more than 60 countries nationwide.
What’s the difference between Restylane and a facelift?
Q. I have deep circles around my eyes and with age my cheeks have hollowed. I have looked into several procedures and have narrowed it down to Restylane® or a facelift. Is there a significant difference between the two?
A. There is a huge difference between Restylane® and a face-lift. Over the years, the fat in our faces diminishes, leaving a gaunt and aged appearance. The two major areas where the fat loss is most evident are underneath the eyes and the cheekbones. Without lifting anything, a simple addition of volume can make a drastic change in your appearance. That’s when we use Restylane. Restylane injections are minimally invasive and make for a natural, subtle increase in volume to restore the plumpness that was once there. There is also no anesthesia required with Restylane, just a mild numbing cream. A face-lift, on the other hand, is an invasive surgical procedure that requires general anesthesia. If you’re not a candidate for a facelift, Dr. Raval will explain a number of minor treatments you might opt for in lieu of a facelift. Those alternatives can likely include injections of Restylane followed by microdermabrasion to leave the skin looking young again.
A lift can often be postponed if a woman would rather try these simpler approaches first.
Can I be allergic to Restylane?
Q. I want to get Restylane injections but I worry that I might be allergic.
A. Restylane is made from hyaluronic acid, a sugar molecule. Hyaluronic acid is a natural compound that is already found in the human body so there is no chance of an allergic reaction.
What is the downtime involved?
Q. I don’t want it to be obvious that I have had any work done to my face. Are there any adverse reactions or a lot of downtime associated with this treatment?
A. Because Restylane® is made from a hyaluronic acid base, there is no chance of an adverse reaction. Immediately following treatment, your face will be red and sensitive. You might experience some bruising and swelling but all of these reactions should subside in 7 days.�