Fillers

Perlane® Injectable Gel

Both Perlane® injectable gel and Restylane® injectable gel are cosmetic "fillers" that contain hyaluronic acid (HA), a natural substance that is found in the body. HA gives volume and elasticity to the skin, but as the body ages, HA levels decrease, resulting in loose skin and wrinkling. When injected, both gels are designed to plump up the skin beneath lines and wrinkles, smoothing them out and making them less noticeable. The difference between the two is that Perlane gel, although similar in consistency to Restylane gel, contains larger particles, which are better at filling deeper depressions. Perlane injections are used for moderate-to-severe lines around the lips, nose, mouth and forehead.

Both Perlane gel and Restylane gel are manufactured by Medicis.

Benefits of Perlane Injectable Gel

When injected, Perlane gel plumps up deep nasolabial folds, and deep lines and wrinkles in the face, making skin appear younger and look smoother. According to Medicis, "in three clinical studies, 63 percent, 71 percent and 75 percent of patients maintained improvement for six months after just one Perlane treatment."

Unlike Restylane gel, Perlane gel is not recommended for lip enhancement.

Advantages of Perlane Injectable Gel

One significant advantage that Perlane injectable gel has over other facial fillers made with HA is that it contains nothing of animal origin. As a result, it does not require a potential user to undergo allergy testing, which can sometimes take weeks. Another advantage is that Perlane injections are performed in-office, usually by a dermatologist, in less than half an hour, and require little-to-no downtime for the patient.

Side Effects of Perlane Injectable Gel

The most common side effects of Perlane gel are swelling, redness, pain, bruising and tenderness in and around the injection sites; they typically go away within a week. Although considered safe for most patients, Perlane injections carry a risk of infection, bleeding or allergic reaction.

RADIESSE® Volumizing Filler

RADIESSE® volumizing filler is a synthetic injectable filler that has been U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for reducing moderate-to-severe wrinkles, folds and creases around the nose and mouth by augmenting the skin's natural collagen supply. It is a safe, effective and long-lasting alternative to injectable collagen and other dermal fillers for smoothing wrinkles and adding facial volume and contour.

RADIESSE filler is composed of microspheres in a water-based gel; the microspheres are made of a substance called calcium hydroxylapatite, which stimulates the production of collagen. When injected into lines and wrinkles, the additional collagen that is produced smooths out the lines and wrinkles, and adds volume to the skin.

RADIESSE Volumizing Filler Applications

RADIESSE volumizing filler can be used on various areas of the face and body. In addition to correcting scars that leave depressions, it is effective in improving the look of the following:

RADIESSE filler has also been approved by the FDA to restore and correct the signs of lipoatrophy (loss of fat beneath the skin) in patients with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

RADIESSE Volumizing Filler Procedure

Before a patient is given RADIESSE filler, the treatment area is cleaned. RADIESSE injections are then made with a fine needle, and typically take only 15 minutes to perform. There is little-to-no downtime; many patients return to their normal activities right away. RADIESSE volumizing filler is also FDA-approved for mixing with the anesthetic lidocaine, which makes the injections less painful. Typically, only 1 or 2 treatments are needed to achieve the full benefits of RADIESSE volumizing filler.

RADIESSE Volumizing Filler Results

Results are visible immediately after injection, and sometimes last up to a year. Because results are temporary, treatments must be repeated to sustain them. Touch-up treatments may prolong the effects of RADIESSE filler.

RADIESSE Volumizing Filler Side Effects

Side effects of RADIESSE filler are usually not serious, and go away on their own. They occur at the injection site, and include the following:

Allergy testing is not necessary before treatment because the calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres in RADIESSE filler are similar to minerals that occur naturally in the body.

Restylane® Injectable Gel

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved Restylane® injectable gel is a cosmetic "filler" that contains hyaluronic acid (HA), a natural substance that is found in the body. HA gives volume and elasticity to the skin, but as the body ages, HA levels decrease, resulting in loose skin and wrinkling. When injected, Restylane gel is designed to plump the skin beneath lines and wrinkles, smoothing them out and making them less noticeable.

The most common areas for Restylane treatment are the glabellar lines (which run between the eyebrows) and the nasolabial folds (which run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth). Restylane injectable gel is also FDA-approved, for those 21 and older, for enhancing the lips. According to manufacturer Medicis, results can last for up to 6 months, at which point the hyaluronic acid is reabsorbed by the body.

Benefits of Restylane Injectable Gel

When injected, Restylane gel plumps up glabellar lines and nasolabial folds, making skin appear younger and look smoother. When used for lip enhancement, it makes the lips fuller and gives them more definition.

Advantages of Restylane Injectable Gel

One significant advantage that Restylane injectable gel has over other facial fillers made with hyaluronic acid is that it contains nothing of animal origin. As a result, it does not require a potential user to undergo allergy testing, which can sometimes take weeks. Another advantage is that Restylane injections are performed in-office, usually by a dermatologist, in less than half an hour, and require little-to-no downtime for the patient.

Side Effects of Restylane Injectable Gel

The most common side effects of Restylane injectable gel are swelling, redness, pain, bruising and tenderness in and around the injection sites. They typically go away within a week. Although considered safe for most patients, Restylane injections carry a risk of infection, bleeding or allergic reaction.

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