Many products can be used for facial tissue augmentation, including animal derived collagen, human derived collagen, fat, and now hyaluronic acid gel.
Since the launch of RESTYLANE® in 1996 hundreds of thousands of people world-wide have been successfully treated for the correction of wrinkles and for lip enhancement. RESTYLANE® Fine Lines and RESTYLANE® LYFT were added for the treatment of fine, superficial lines (RESTYLANE® Fine Lines) and the shaping of facial contours as well as lip enhancement (RESTYLANE® LYFT). All three products contain the same patented hyaluronic acid gel NASHA, Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid. Each product is injected at different levels in the skin and is designed to match the tissue structure at the level of injection.
Hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide which not only occurs naturally in all living organisms, but is also identical in all species and tissue types. Hyaluronic acid plays an important role for both mechanical and transport purposes in the body, giving volume to the skin, shape to the eyes and elasticity to the joints. So far, more than 300,000 patients all over the world have been treated with hyaluronic acid based products. Its use is well documented in areas such as eye surgery and orthopedics. In the skin hyaluronic acid molecules bind water and create volume.
One of the products’ exclusive features is that they are long-lasting. Normally biodegradable implants shrink gradually upon degradation but RESTYLANE® & RESTYLANE® LYFT have the unique property of maintaining the initial volume throughout the degradation phase. When a stabilizing bridge disappears, water takes its place. The less concentrated the gel becomes, the more water each molecule is able to bind.
Other benefits of hyaluronic acid:
How long the effect of RESTYLANE® / RESTYLANE® LYFT treatment lasts is very individual. It depends on many factors, such as the structure of the skin, lifestyle and age as well as on the degree of perfection demanded by the individual and the injection technique of the practitioner. In general follow-up treatment is needed after 6-12 months for the treatment of lines, wrinkles and folds and facial contouring. For lips follow-up treatment is normally needed after about 6 months. Clinical experience indicates that touch-up treatment will add to the duration of the treatment effect.
In June, 2002, Dr. Saloom participated in a course sponsored by IMCAS in Paris. Physicians from over 40 countries presented their experience on the use of hyaluronic products for facial volume augmentation.
RESTYLANE® & RESTYLANE® LYFT are used across the world, and FDA approval was granted in 2003.
Contact our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Saloom. 225.766.1110.