What’s the one quality youthful skin has that mature skin doesn’t? Volume. Part of the natural aging process is a slow loss of skin volume that creates skin laxity that will inevitably create the opportunity for fine lines and wrinkles to develop. Fortunately, the skilled aestheticians at Metro Dermatology in Elmhurst, NY know the key to volume restoration is with Restylane, a long-acting dermal filler.
Yes! Restylane is a hard-working dermal filler that starts working as soon as it is injected into your skin. Right from day one, the goal of this dermal filler is to restore lost facial volume and sustain volume in the face so you can turn back the clock and look younger for longer. This is a distinct departure from other dermal fillers, which can sometimes take weeks to restore facial volume.
The main reason why the results of this dermal filler are so immediate is that the very act of injecting something into your skin fills in lost volume. This gel-like filler instantly gives the sub-dermal layers of your skin the bulk it needs to fill itself in and appear younger. Of course, your body will eventually absorb the gel – but that doesn’t mean you will lose volume quickly.
With this dermal filler, there is a trade-off. While the initial filler results are fading as your body metabolizes the filler gel, the active ingredient in the filler also sets off the internal production of skin-supporting proteins in the sub-dermal layers of your skin. What this means for you is that your immediate results will blend seamlessly into your final results.
The key ingredient of this treatment is hyaluronic acid, a naturally-occurring acid that can be found in the sub-dermal layers of the skin. Hyaluronic acid is something of a modern phenomenon in the cosmetics industry these days due to how intensely moisturizing this unique acid is. One of the primary functions of hyaluronic acid is its ability to retain hundreds of times its own weight in water, which sustains the internal moisture balance inside and outside of the skin.
Hyaluronic acid is important for reasons other than moisturizing. For example, there is substantial evidence that suggests hyaluronic acid is related to collagen production. Specifically, collagen is more likely to increase production in the presence of hyaluronic acid, which indicates that hyaluronic acid might be a catalyst for collagen production.
And as collagen is one of the proteins in your skin that is primarily responsible for providing structural support, it’s important that you encourage collagen production any way you can to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, as well as tighten skin.
You will see the final results of your treatment about four to six weeks after your treatment, which is about the time it takes for your body to kickstart collagen production to restore facial volume. This is also because it takes about two weeks for this dermal filler to settle into the hollows of your skin.
The results of this treatment will last for different times depending on where the filler is used. For example, when this filler is used on the cheeks and mid-face, you can expect the results to last for 12 months; when this filler is used around the mouth, under the eyes, or on the hands, the filler will last for about six months.
Interestingly, the results of this treatment will last longer after a touch-up or repeat appointment. When Restylane is administered, the longevity of the results is extended. For instance, for cheek injections, your second treatment can last up to 18 months total.
Naturally, when the volume has been restored to your skin, you will want to be sure that you’re doing everything you can to maintain your results. Luckily, there are several actions you can take to get the most out of each of your treatments. The best way to maintain the results of this filler include:
Regular top-up appointments are probably the single most effective means of maintaining your treatments. Top-up appointments, particularly after your very first treatment, should happen every six to 12 months to keep up a continuous production of collagen. Your top-up appointments will ensure that the results of your treatment will continue without pause. We can help you determine how frequently your top-up appointments should be to maintain your results.
Using the right skincare products can also maintain your results – and in some cases, even enhance your results. For example, if you have anti-aging goals, your skin and the results of your filler treatment will benefit from the use of skincare products designed for age-related concerns. Products that have active ingredients such as Vitamin C, Retinol, Azelaic acid, and hyaluronic acid are effective for reducing the visible signs of aging, including fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, melasma, sun damage, and skin laxity.
You can also use other cosmetic treatments to enhance the results of your treatment. There are many cosmetic treatments that are compatible with dermal fillers, particularly treatments that address superficial skin concerns. Cosmetic treatments that complement dermal fillers include neurotoxins like Botox and Dysport, chemical peels, facials, dermaplaning, microdermabrasion, and some laser treatments. If you would like to combine this treatment with others to enhance your results, please let us know so we can help you find the treatments that will achieve your aesthetic goals.
Maintaining appropriate sun care for your skin is another important way to maintain the results of your treatment. Sun care refers to the products you use to protect your skin from potentially harmful UV rays and direct sunlight, which ultimately means using appropriate strength sunscreen. For adults, sunscreen between grades SPF 30 and SPF 40 and usually adequate for daily use.
Sun care is also essential due to the fact that UV rays from sunlight speed up the natural aging process of your skin and can create lasting damage, such as melasma and dark spots. In fact, unprotected sun exposure is one of the leading causes of premature aging since UV rays break down the skin barrier and allow fine lines and wrinkles to develop more quickly.
Your filler appointment will typically take about 30 minutes to complete, depending on the amount of work that needs to be done. Before your first appointment, you will have a consultation with one of our talented aestheticians so we can develop a treatment plan that will ensure you achieve all of your appearance-related goals. Specifically, we will ask about your regular skincare routine and any trouble areas you identify.
Your consultation may also include some information gathering. For example, we may request your general medical history, medications and supplements you are currently taking, and any known drug allergies. And although hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring substance, we may have you complete a simple allergy test if this is your first time using a dermal filler.
While other fillers calculate the amount of filler formula necessary to achieve results based on how much work needs to be done, Restylane is different. This filler calculates how much formula your treatment requires based on your age. Generally speaking, you need one syringe of this filler to make age-related corrections per every decade of life. This means that 40-year-old patients will need four syringes, 50-year-old patients will need five, and so on.
Of course, there are some patients that may need more or less formula to make aesthetic corrections. For example, if you are using this filler on more than one area of the face, you may require an additional syringe to achieve your aesthetic goals.
You will need to follow certain directions before and after your treatment to ensure that you get the results you want from this filler. Precare instructions should be followed for at least one week and will include directions to temporarily discontinue using blood-thinning medications and certain types of skincare products, such as Retinol.
After your appointment, you will be directed on how to care for your skin during the first week after your appointment, such as avoiding acids, harsh scrubs, and unprotected sun exposure. You will also be directed to avoid excessive heat, such as saunas, hot tubs, hot showers, and tanning beds, as well as sweating and exercise.
The fact of the matter is that many of our patients prefer one dermal filler brand over the other – and when it comes to this and Juvederm, there is a tough competition between which filler is best. Ultimately, the filler you feel is best for you will depend on factors such as your age, the condition of your skin, your areas of treatment, and how your body responds to the unique formula of these treatments.
Both Juvederm and this filler are formulated with hyaluronic acid and they last a comparable length of time. But as this filler is generally used to address hollowness and skin laxity in the face, patients who have moderate to severe concerns prefer this filler over Juvederm, which is often better-suited for mild age-related concerns.
There is actually more than one type of filler that falls under the Restylane umbrella. Lyft is a filler that can mimic the effects of a facelift, as the use of Lyft is indicated for skin tightening, wrinkle reduction, and contouring the cheek area. Both Defyne and Refyne are versions that are more powerful and effective for correcting moderate to severe hollowness and wrinkles in the mid-face. Kysse and Silk are both designed to be used to augment the lips, restore lip volume, and reduce line lines around the mouth.
This family of fillers is ideal for anyone who is experiencing loss of facial volume in the face, particularly for those who have pronounced hollowness and skin laxity, as well as those who would like to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Additionally, patients like to use this treatment to contour the face and even reduce wrinkles on the back of their hands.
While losing facial volume is an inevitable result of the natural aging process, that doesn’t mean you have to make peace with it. The right cosmetic treatment can turn back the clock and restore the youthful texture and appearance of your skin. If you think this filler treatment is a good option for your aesthetic goals, please contact Metro Dermatology in Elmhurst, NY to schedule your consultation appointment today!
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