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Restylane® is a gel of hyaluronic acid generated by Streptococcus bacteria. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in all living organisms. The type of hyaluronic acid in Restylane® is called NASHA (non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid). NASHA is a patented, non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid in clear gel form which is biosynthetically produced by a laboratory fermentation process.
Restylane® is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (U.S. F.D.A.) for the treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. It has been used by plastic surgeons worldwide since 1996. It is non-animal based and allergy testing is not required.
Restylane® is a natural, cosmetic filler of skin folds and soft tissue defects. The nasolabial folds and lips are commonly treated areas. In contrast, Botox® is a purified protein that weakens facial muscle contraction to reduce wrinkles in the overlying skin. Botox® is used most frequently around the eyes and in the forehead. Many patients benefit from facial rejuvenation with both Botox® and Restylane®. (See also Botox)
Restylane® is approved by the U.S. F.D.A. for treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. The nasolabial folds are a commonly treated area. Fullness and definition of the lips can be successfully enhanced with Restylane®.
Average treatment effects last six to nine months. Successful use of Restylane® may require numerous treatments over several months. Following the initial injection, semi-annual maintenance injections are typically necessary to achieve and maintain the desired volume correction. Touch-up treatments may be indicated to correct irregularities. The duration of effect varies from patient to patient. Some patients may not retain the correction at all. Still others may only appreciate the results for two to three months.
Restylane® is injected into the dermal layer of skin in very small amounts through an ultra fine needle. Topical anesthetic cream applied one hour prior to the procedure is helpful to limit the discomfort associated with injections of the nasolabial folds. Patients undergoing lip augmentation may require local anesthetic injected under the lip. There are certain expectations that can be associated with this injection procedure. These may include: bleeding, swelling and bruising of the injected areas, redness of the skin, moderate discomfort at the time of injection, skin discoloration and recurrence of local cold sores. These symptoms usually resolve within 1-3 days of injection of skin areas and within 3-7 days of lip injections.
Some of the rare but possible complications include: bleeding, infection, asymmetry of the injections sites, over or under correction of the injected areas, allergic reaction, and the need for further invasive or surgical procedures. Approximately 1 in 5,000 patients experience hypersensitivity reactions that may result in swelling, redness, tenderness, and acne-like rashes in or around the injected areas. These symptoms may appear days to weeks after the injection and usually last at least 2 weeks.
Costs will vary from patient to patient based on the amount of filler required to meet an individual patient's specific needs. An average treatment session may cost approximately $600.
Dr. Klapper has extensive experience with soft tissue fillers (such as collagen and Cymetra®) Dr. Klapper has been performing cosmetic Restylane® injections since its U.S. F.D.A. approval. While administering Restylane® is not technically difficult, surgeon experience with Restylane® is critical to limit the risk of unwanted effects and achieve optimal results. Visit www.RestylaneUSA.com for more information.
Stephen R. Klapper, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a board certified Ophthalmologist and has completed extensive fellowship training in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. In addition to his clinical practice Dr. Klapper has published numerous scientific articles in peer reviewed journals and presented several papers at regional, national, and international meetings on topics related to the field of eyelid and facial plastic surgery. Dr. Klapper's practice is limited to adult and pediatric cosmetic and reconstructive eyelid and facial surgery, tear duct surgery, orbital disease, thyroid eye disease and the anophthalmic patient. Dr. Klapper also has extensive experience performing facial Botox® injections and Restylane® lip and facial fold injections.
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Contact our office to discuss your eyelid problem with Dr. Klapper or a member of his staff. (317) 818-1000
