Restylane® Injection

Restylane® injection for lip enhancement and softening facial lines & creases

Restylane® is a naturally-occurring injectable agent that is used for lip enhancement and to soften facial lines and creases. It was approved by the FDA for the treatment of lines and creases around the mouth and nose in December 2003, and Dr. Law has been using it exclusively for patients seeking temporary, reversible facial soft tissue enhancement for over two years. We have found this material to be very well tolerated, longer-lasting for most patients than collagen products, and have yet to encounter an allergic or inflammatory response to it.

restylane® injection, 1cc, upper and lower lips lower photos taken one day post-treatment

Common signs of lower facial aging include thinning of the lips, deepening of the nasolabial folds (a crease from the outer side of the nostril to the corner of the mouth), and the development of 'marionette' lines (running vertically downward from the corners of the mouth). These features can in many cases be instantly and dramatically improved by the injection of soft tissue filling materials such as Restylane®. The injection of Restylane® can also improve some depressed scars, vertical lines around the mouth, and other facial soft tissue abnormalities.

The Restylane® Advantage

As Restylane® does not carry the risk of allergic reaction that is associated with bovine (cow) collagen, no skin test is required. It is not harvested from cadaver sources as are human injectable collagen products. Most importantly, it does NOT contain any material that does not naturally occur in soft tissues, such as hydroxyapetite or methylmethacrylate, which can result in granuloma (cyst) formation and chronic inflammation. Be VERY wary of injectable agents that contain materials that do not naturally occur in soft tissues, as the risk of these complications is often minimized to patients.

Restylane® injections take place in our medical office and require just a few minutes to perform. All injections are performed personally by Dr. Law. The aesthetic improvement is immediate, and in general we will attempt to slightly overfill the lips and overcorrect lines and folds, so that the desired effect remains once the mild initial swelling subsides (in about 24 hours). The goal is an aesthetic improvement that appears natural.

Most injections can be performed with little or no pain by administration of local anesthesia just prior to the Restylane® injection. Injection of the lips is usually completely painless, using intra-oral anesthesia that produces total numbness of the lips. For injection of lines and creases on the face, a local anesthetic solution is used that causes vasoconstriction, decreasing the likelihood of bruising following the injection. Our aim is to provide an immediate and beautiful aesthetic enhancement, with little or no discomfort and downtime.

The duration of the improvement varies from patient to patient, averaging about four to six months. Many patients that enjoy the results of their Restylane® treatments become interested in permanent soft tissue enhancement. For these patients, Dr. Law performs structural fat grafting, using autologous (the patient's own) fat. Using specialized instrumentation and technique, structural fat grafting can produce permanent improvements in facial contours.

Blue Water Spa provides services in all areas of aesthetics including restylane® injection. If you're interested in lip enhancement or softening facial lines and creases
contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Learn more about Raleigh Plastic Surgery procedures from Dr. Michael Law