Restylane®
At the Allen, Texas offices of plastic surgeon Dr. Charles Slack, Restylane® is available for patients who would like to eliminate or reduce facial imperfections such as:
- fine lines of the upper and/or lower lips
- lips that need more volume
- deeper lines, folds and wrinkles in the cheeks
- nasolabial folds - facial creases that develop from the corners of the nose down to the corners of the mouth
- "marionette" lines extending downward from the corners of the mouth
- moderate to severe facial lines and wrinkles
Restylane from a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Slack, as a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, is highly skilled in the application of Restylane, the most well-studied cosmetic dermal filler available. He provides Restylane treatments for the above-listed indications, which usually occur as a result of:
- years of sun exposure
- aging
- facial expressiveness, years of smiling
- loss of collagen and elastin in the skin
- the natural loss of volume in the lips with time
The Benefits of Restylane
Restylane has been in use for more than a decade. It's made of a natural substance that is produced in the human body: hyaluronic acid. Restylane's hyaluronic acid is in the form of a clear gel that is injected from a syringe with a very fine needle to fill facial folds or wrinkles, or to add volume to the lips. The volume provided by the Restylane smoothes out wrinkles and folds, and makes lips fuller and more sensuous.
A Natural Product
Since Restylane is a natural product - not derived from animals - it has no significant risk of producing an allergic reaction. It can thus be used without a precautionary skin test. Restylane treatment may also be combined with another non-invasive procedure such as BOTOX Cosmetic®, the injectable that relaxes creases between the eyebrows and forehead lines (among other uses).
Dr. Slack offers no-cost consultations for individuals who are considering Restylane or other facial enhancement procedures such as BOTOX injections. As a very experienced plastic surgeon, he will advise you regarding your best options for treatments that meet your individual needs and desires. You can feel comfortable talking to him about your feelings and any possible anxiety regarding any procedures for the face.
Restylane Treatments
A treatment session for Restylane injections takes about a half an hour, and is performed at Dr. Slack's offices in Allen, Texas. If desired, a topical anesthetic cream can be applied about an hour before the injections, to ease any discomfort.
For lip enhancement with Restylane, an anesthetic block is used to make the treatment nearly painless.
Many facial folds (such as nasolabial folds or marionette lines) and wrinkles need two or more separate Restylane treatment sessions, from two to four weeks apart. Dr. Slack will tell you what you can expect, before the start of your Restylane treatment.
After a Restylane Session
An individual who has just had Restylane injection(s) at Dr. Slack's office can return to his or her normal activities immediately. The site of the injection may show slight redness and/or swelling, but these signs will usually reside within two or three days. Some patients may develop a slight bruise or a bump under the skin, but these also resolve quickly.
How Long Restylane's Effects Last
Restylane is gradually - very gradually - absorbed by the body, and thus an individual will eventually need further treatments with Restylane to maintain the effects. For most individuals, the benefits of Restylane last quite long - six to seven months (somewhat less for lip-volume injections; three months is a good average).
Potential Risks of Restylane Injections
Restylane has already been used to help more than 1.4 million people in the U.S. alone (it's available in over 70 countries), and its safety profile is very good. However, as with any facial treatment, some individuals may have an adverse reaction to Restylane, such as:
- swelling
- redness
- bruising
- pain, tenderness
These symptoms generally last for less than a week, if they occur at all.
Ask Dr. Slack about Restylane for Your Face or Lips
Dr. Slack has been using Restylane for many years as a safe, effective dermal filler for facial imperfections. If you feel that Restylane may meet your needs as a non-surgical procedure, schedule a private consultation with Dr. Slack at his Allen, Texas offices to discuss your goals and concerns. He looks forward to speaking with you.