Background

Injectable dermal fillers have become one of the most common non-surgical cosmetic procedures over the last several years. The most popular class of injectable dermal filler is the hyaluronic acids (HA), a natural gel like substance found in our skin. With age, the skin becomes thinner and the face loses volume. Restylane®, Perlane®, and Juvederm® work by filling in wrinkles, valleys, or shadows and augment the facial soft tissue.

Why people choose HA fillers

When injected in the face, Restylane®, Perlane®, and Juvederm® provide a youthful regeneration to the tissue. The HA gel, with its high affinity for water, fills in areas of the face that have lost volume. It can also efface wrinkles by releasing the tether and filling the skin trough. If there is an area of your face that looks deflated (i.e., cheeks, brow, eyelid) or if there is any area that you feel is underdeveloped and you want augmented (i.e. nose, lips, chin) HA fillers may be right for you.

Areas of treatment with HA:

The Consult

During your initial consultation, Dr. Liu will perform a thorough facial aesthetic analysis to determine if you are a good candidate for Restylane®, Perlane®, or Juvederm®. The goal of the consultation is for you to obtain all the information you need to make an informed decision regarding hyaluronic acid fillers. Following your consultation, you will have a better understanding of how HA can help you achieve a more youthful face.

Pre-Operative

If you are on aspirin, non-steroidal pain medications (NSAIDs), blood thinning medications (Coumadin, Lovenox, Plavix, etc.), and some herbal medications (garlic, Vitamin E, etc) you are at slightly higher risk of bruising after HA injections. If you are on these medications or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our office and speak with the physician prior to your injection or consultation. Patients at “high risk” for bruising can be pre-medicated with anti-bruising medications.

What to Expect

All cosmetic injections are performed by Dr. Liu, a fellowship trained plastic surgeon. HA injections are extremely well tolerated and most patients report only mild discomfort. We use a multi-modality regimen with several pain reducing techniques to make your experience as comfortable as possible. The effects last approximately 6-12 months for most people depending on the region being treated.

Recovery

After the injection, patients can resume normal daily activities. Avoid strenuous activities the evening after injection. You will have no additional restrictions thereafter. Occasionally there may be some bruising or swelling with HA injection and depends on the location and the amount of product used. If you have specific plans or public engagements where bruising may be problematic we ask that you contact our office and speak with the physician prior to your injection.

Summary

Restylane®, Perlane®, and Juvederm® play an important role in any facial rejuvenation program and can offer significant aesthetic and personal benefits for the right candidate by improving or preventing facial wrinkles. To find out if Restylane®, Perlane®, or Juvederm® is right for you, please make an appointment with Dr. Jerome Liu or Dr. Tom Liu.