Skin Care - Restylane®


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Skin Care - Restylane®

What Is Restylane®?
Is Restylane® Safe?
Where Can Restylane® Be Used?
How Long Does Restylane® Last?
Your Restylane® Treatment
Post Treatment Instructions
Questions You May Have

What Is Restylane®?
Restylane® is a safe and natural cosmetic dermal filler that enhances the youthfulness of your face by restoring volume and fullness to the skin to correct facial wrinkles, folds, and furrows. It is made of hyaluronic acid, a natural substance that already exists in the human body. The hyaluronic acid contained in Restylane® is hydrophilic or "water loving," meaning that once injected into the face, Restylane® maintains its shape by binding to the body's own moisture. It is this ability to bind with water that helps provide results lasting up to six months. And because Restylane® is free from animal proteins, the risk of allergic reactions or the transmission of animal-based disease is limited.

Restylane® has been used in more than 1.5 million treatments in over 60 countries. It is only available through a licensed practitioner, such as the doctors at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery, who have helped hundreds of men and woman restore and rejuvenate their facial features.

Is Restylane® Safe?
Since 1996, over 1.5 million Restylane® treatments have been safely administered by dermatologists and plastic surgeons in more than 60 countries. Restylane® has been approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the United States for the treatment of facial wrinkles. Because Restylane® is free from animal proteins, the risk of allergic reactions or the transmission of animal-based disease is limited. And Restylane® treatments produce a low occurrence of side effects. The most commonly reported side effects are temporary redness and mild swelling at the injection site. During your initial consultation, staff and doctors of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery will address any safety concerns you have regarding the use of Restylane®.

Where Can Restylane® Be Used?
Restylane® is currently approved in the United States for treating facial wrinkles and folds, such those that appear from the nose to the corners of the mouth. The doctors and staff of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery are experts in using Restylane® to correct a variety of facial wrinkles and to enhance the appearance of the lip border.

How Long Does Restylane® Last? The unique hydrophilic nature of Restylane® delivers results that generally last for about six months. Best of all, because Restylane® binds to the water in your body, its cosmetic effects are maintained until the injected material is nearly gone. Of course, individual results may vary and it is best to discuss your individual case with the doctors and staff of the The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery during your initial consultation.

Your Restylane® Treatment
Restylane®, a crystal clear gel, is injected directly into the skin in tiny amounts using an ultra fine needle. The gel fills the skin's wrinkles and depressions by plumping the skin with water-binding, naturally occurring hyaluronic acid. The doctor may numb the area to be treated; however, there is minimal discomfort during or after the procedure. The procedure is simple and convenient and results are practically instantaneous.

Restylane® treatments produce a low occurrence of side effects. The most commonly reported side effects are temporary redness and mild swelling at the injection site. Both the redness and the swelling generally disappear within seven days of your treatment.

Precautions
There are a few precautions you should take prior to your Restylane® treatment.

· Avoid using aspirin, non-steroid anti-inflammatory medicines, St. John's Wort, or high does of Vitamin E supplements for one week prior to your treatment because they may increase bruising or bleeding at the site of your injections.

· Do not consume alcohol leading up to and after your Restylane® treatment because alcohol can effect the circulation and blood flow in your body, which could impact the effectiveness of your treatment.

· If you have previously suffered from facial cold sores, there is a risk that the needle punctures could contribute to another recurrence.

· The safety of Restylane® in patients with increased susceptibility to keloid formation and hypertrophic scarring has not been studied. Restylane should not be used in patients with known susceptibility to keloid formation or hypertrophic scarring.

· The safety of Restylane® for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding has not been established.

· The safety of Restylane® for patients under 18 years of age has not been determined.

The doctors and staff of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery will discuss these precautions and answer any specific questions you may have during your initial consultation.

Post Treatment Instructions While there are limited side effects from the use of Restylane®, there are a few post-treatment instructions you should be aware of. The doctors and staff of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery will discuss these instructions and answer any questions you may have prior to your treatment.

The unique hydrophilic nature of Restylane® delivers results that generally last for about six months. Best of all, because Restylane® binds to the water in your body, its cosmetic effects are maintained until the injected material is nearly gone.

· Immediately after your treatment, you may notice temporary redness and swelling at the injection site. These effects typically disappear in less than seven days. Cold compresses may be used immediately after your treatment to reduce swelling. If the inconvenience continues beyond two to three days or if other reactions occur, call The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery.

· Until any initial redness and swelling have disappeared, avoid exposure of the treated area to intense heat (sunlamp or sunbathing).

· Avoid touching the treated area within six hours of your treatment. After that, the area can be gently washed with soap and water.

· Avoid exercise and alcohol for six hours after your treatment.

Questions You May Have

· Are there other procedures that could be done along with Restylane® injections to restore the youthful appearance of my face?
There are a variety of surgical procedures that can reduce facial wrinkles and enhance the overall appearance of your face: Facelift, Brow Lift, Eyelid Surgery, or Facial Implants. Complementary procedures will be discussed with you during your initial consultation with the doctors and staff of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery.

· Will my insurance coverage pay for my Restylane® injections?
Restylane® injections are considered a cosmetic treatment and, therefore, are not covered by your insurance. You are responsible for the full payment for your procedure. Cost and payment information will be discussed in detail with you during your initial consultation.