Posted in: Injectable Fillers
Collagen Injections Lips presents the following advice on how to ensure that you are fully aware of any injectable filler procedure that you are going to undertake. Many patients know that injectables are non-evasive, less expensive and have little to no "down time" or "recovery time".
However, any injectable procedure still carries risk, albeit very minimal, and you need to also have realistic expectations about what your injectable procedure will do for your appearance. Discuss your concerns and expectations thoroughly with your dermatologist or plastic surgeon to ensure that you are fully informed and satisfied with your investment in your appearance.
Like all procedures, in-office injectable filler treatments should have a full disclosure as part of the consent, which should be reviewed in detail before the injection session. While there are many different injectable fillers available, they are produce similar results and only fundamentally differ in how long they last and how much they cost. Important pre-treatment issues to know include what Type of filler is being used, what are the specific Treatment areas, what Outcome can be expected, Risks and Complications, and at what Cost.
Before you have any injection filler treatment to the face, know exactly what type of filler is going to be used…..and why. I find that many patients who have had injectable filler treatments before can not tell me what was used. While the scientific composition of the material is not really important to the patient, what was used and how did it work or how long it lasted is important for future injectable filler treatments, whether it is done by the same or different physician injector.
In general, the vast majority of injectable filler treatments are done in either the lips or the nasolabial folds (cheek-lip grooves). Unlike Botox injections which is done over a broader surface area, injectable filler treatments are more specific to one area that is well-defined. Most patients do have a good recollection as to what areas were filled.
One of the best benefits of injectable filler treatments, and an expected outcome, is that the benefits of the injections (unlike Botox) will be immediately seen. However, it is important to understand that no filling treatment is permanent. Injection treatments will have to be repeated based on the expected length of time the filler will last for the results to be maintained.
The most common adverse result from an injectable filler treatment, albeit it only temporary, is that the result may be over- or undercorrected or it may not be perfectly smooth and even. Injecting fillers is an art form and not an exact science. Also, there may occasionally be some bruising in a small area or two. Very rarely, it is possible that one may have a localized allergic reaction to the material which appears as redness and swelling. This may go away on its own or could require some steroid injections if it persists.
Lastly, each injectable filler is charged based on a full syringe cost. That is an easy number to know before treatment by asking…and it should be told to you without asking. Some practices charge you for a full syringe whether you use it or not. Others only charge by the amount of the syringe used. Ask what the practice policy is in advance.
Author: Dr Barry Eppley
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr_Barry_Eppley
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Posted in: Injectable Fillers
Collagen Injections for Lips presents the following thoughts on how to best match up the injectable filler to what you want to accomplish. If you are looking to plump your lips, one injectable filler may be better for that area than an injectable filler that may help to fill lines or even fix a lump on your nose. Discuss your options with your dermatologist or plastic surgeon to understand best which procedure will be ideal for you.
Up until 2002, only one type of facial line and wrinkle filler was available – injectable collagen derived from cow proteins. While it lasted only a few months, due to its animal origins, it was the only treatment option available. Since 2002, six (6) new injectable fillers have been approved for use in the United States, all of which are made up of different (and better by the way) materials which last longer with fewer pot7ential skin problems. This has resulted in a great amount of confusion and misinformation for patients. (and some doctors as well) With the certainty that more new injectable fillers are on the way in the next few years, it is important for patients to have some basic understanding of the similarities and differences between the choices that they have.
Two basic types of injectable soft tissue fillers are currently available: hyaluronic acid (HA or hyaluron) and particulated (particle-containing) compositions. Just because they are injectable does not make the different fillers the same. Traditional collagen injectable fillers have been replaced by the longer-lasting HAs since 2002.
Since they are synthetic ‘knock-offs’ of natural human hyaluronic acid, the patient does not need a skin test prior to injection and they last at least twice as long as collagen. The alleged differences between the four commercially-available HA injectates (Restylane, Hylaform, Captique, and JuvaDerm) is largely marketing-driven and no clinical studies has ever compared how long all of them last compared to each other.
Hyaluronic acid fillers can be injected without fear of excessive lumpiness as they have the consistency of ‘warm Jello’. JuvaDerm and Perlane are touted as lasting the longest currently and my observations is that it appears to be true. Newer more concentrated forms of HA are being developed that have the promise of greater longevity. The particulated fillers contain synthetic beads or particles (plastic or ceramic) in different liquid carriers. (Radiesse and ArteFill) Due to the non-resorption of the beads (which usually make up less than 25% of the solution), longer-lasting effects are seen than with the HAs.
The beads that partially comprise the particulated fillers do not resorb, so theoretically over time, some permanent volume is acquired. However, because of the particles and the potential risk of lumpiness, these particulated fillers should not be injected into the lips. the common problem of deep nasolabial folds is an ideal location for the particulated injectable fillers.
Since no injectable filler is ideal for every patient or type of facial line or wrinkle, the best plastic surgeons usually work with two or three different ones to custom treat each facial problem. It would not be uncommon for me to use, for example Radiesse in the nasolabial folds and Juvaderm in the lips, in the same patient. Knowing the properties of each type of injectable filler allows them to be used to their best advantage.
Author: Dr Barry Eppley
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr_Barry_Eppley
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Posted in: Injectable Fillers
I recently came across this article, from the Daily Mail Online, and wanted to share it. I strongly believe that collagen injections for lips and other injectable fillers (including fat transfers) can provide a lovely, soft, and natural look. However, there is a growing trend, it seems to me, to take these injections to the next level and REALLY plump up lips, cheeks and other areas of the face.
Why is the soft and natural look being traded in for this really unnatural, overly plumped and "cheeky" look? What are your thoughts?
There’s a hot new trend in celebrity faces. Forget the old stretched look of the too-tight facelift or the glassy skin and winged eyebrows of overdone Botox – they are so last year.
The hottest look, and the one A-listers everywhere are falling for, is what’s being dubbed the pillow face.
In their quest for eternal youth, middle-aged celebrities are suddenly sporting eerily identical puffy, plump, pillowy faces with prominent chubby cheeks, spookily smooth under-eye areas, and foreheads that are not just Botox-smooth, but curved and padded, too.
Madonna, Nicole Kidman, Kylie, Michelle Pfeiffer, Meg Ryan and Liz Hurley appear to have been sporting the pillow-faced look for some time, while recent pictures of Pamela Anderson show her looking almost unrecognisably round-faced.
Even French First Lady Carla Bruni has girlishly high, full cheeks that some might find a little unlikely to occur naturally on a skinny woman of 42. And actor Rupert Everett, 49, has appeared on TV complete with new hamster cheeks.
While most celebrities like to boast that their line-free appearance is due to nothing more than drinking gallons of water and doing hours of yoga, there is no doubt that there is a boom in non-surgical treatments – in particular, the use of artificial fillers – to plump out thin, haggard faces.
The old facelift was based on the idea that our sagging skins made us look older. So, the thinking went, if you pull back the offending folds, hey presto, you have your young face. But another major aspect of the ageing process is the loss of volume, or plumpness, under the skin.
In 2007, a study by a Dallas plastic surgeon revealed how we lose vital fat on our face as we age.
First, it goes from round the eyes, then the upper cheeks, cheekbones, sides of the mouth, nose-to-mouth lines and, finally, the forehead and sides of the face.
‘The ideal proportion of the female youthful face is an upside down triangle, narrow chin and wide cheek region, culminating in a heart-shaped face,’ says Dr Michael Prager, who specialises in injectable treatments.
‘As we age, this goes into reverse. We lose our cheeks and gain volume around the jaw and neck. A pretty youthful face has fullness in the cheeks, like Disney’s Pocahontas. An older plain face has it in the jaw, like Shrek. Loss of volume occurs as early as our mid-20s, depending on lifestyle.
‘From 30 onwards, hollowing of the cheeks can start to be visible, especially in people who diet or exercise a lot, like celebrities do.’
The effect of this research on the beauty industry was electric and immediate. A variety of new injectable fillers hit the market.
The most popular – such as the market leader Restylane, Voluma, Juvederm, Hydrafill and the French brand Surgiderm – are made of hyaluronic acid, which occurs naturally in skin.
Fillers are temporary and last up to a year, and can be dissolved if you don’t like the effect. They are all about volume.
Non-surgical filler-based treatments such as the Y-lift – invented by New York surgeon Yann Tronkel and offered in London by Dr Jules Nabet – and the Dream Lift, developed by celebrity darling Dr Jean-Louis Sebagh, aim to create the illusion of youth by giving women the high, rounded cheeks of a baby.
And delighted customers soon realise that when their cheeks are filled, slack skin around the jaw is automatically lifted and nose-to-mouth lines vanish.
The seductive thing about these treatments is that celebrities can say, with complete honesty, they haven’t had any plastic surgery.
It is also paparazzi-friendly as, a few bruises and some swelling aside, there is no downtime, telltale scars or bandages. Even better, half-starved celebs do not have to choose, as Mae West famously said, between their face and their butt.
With fillers, they can maintain their fiercely aerobicised skinny bodies well into middle age, as Madonna has done, while swapping their gaunt face for the plump features of youth.
Done well, the effect of fillers can be subtle, pretty and rejuvenating. But the downside is that it takes surprisingly little extra volume to create the strange face that is so common among female celebs and, when taken to extremes, appears barely human.
U.S. doctors are not known for their subtlety and are responsible for the worst cases of pillow face, created using an even more extreme method: human fat transferred from part of the body and re-injected in the face.
‘Fat is unpredictable. The body uses up a lot of what is implanted – up to 70 per cent is lost so doctors tend to over-correct to make up for this,’ says British consultant plastic surgeon Rajiv Grover.
‘But if your body doesn’t use up the fat, you can be left with an artificially full face which can look chipmunky.’
And plenty of celebrities and their doctors are simply too injection-happy, finding new places to put endless syringes of filler, such as the hollows at the temples, under the eyes and in the chin, which can result in a flat, mask-like effect.
The main problem arises, says Dr Michael Prager, when celebrities don’t just try to restore lost volume, but create a wholly new and artificial face.
When I use filler, I’m not aiming to create something that wasn’t there before. This is one of the biggest mistakes that can be made,’ says Dr Prager.
‘Nor am I trying to create carbon copy or cookie cutter faces that all look the same.’
Rajiv Grover asks patients to bring in photographs of themselves in their 20s and 30s to avoid this problem.
‘The key to natural enhancement is to use their younger faces as a roadmap for treatment. I don’t want to give my patients huge round cheeks they never had because that would look ridiculous,’ he says.
Clearly not all doctors feel the same, as many of the crop of pillow faces reveal. Perhaps it’s hard to say ‘No’ to a determined A-lister with cash to flash and a determined manner honed by years of shouting at the staff.
The question arises as to why so many celebrities are unaware of how bizarre they look.
It may well be that, surrounded by other pillow faces, they simply lose touch with reality. Certainly, altering your face can make it hard for anyone to see where subtle enhancement ends and freakiness begins.
I have a confession to make. A few years ago, I was tempted to have my own pillow face and had filler injections in my cheeks. I was warned it would be ‘intense’ and, despite having my face paralysed with anaesthetic, which made me panicky and claustrophobic, it still hurt.
There was a deeply unpleasant pushing sensation as the filler was squeezed into my cheeks right onto the bone.
The doctor was thrilled with the result, but I was freaked out at my newly swollen cheeks. I looked weird. My husband was appalled. ‘My God, you look like Joan Rivers,’ he told me. ‘Please tell me this isn’t permanent.’
He insisted on calling me ‘Michael’ as in Michael Jackson, for the rest of the day.
My face felt bruised for a week. It was painful to sleep, and hugs and kisses from my children – and my poor husband – hurt.
The final result, a week or so later, was better, but I didn’t look like me. I was relieved when, months later, my big cheeks subsided
So while I won’t say I’m not tempted to have my fortysomething lines erased by Botox and fillers, I am super-cautious.
I suspect most celebrities would look better if they took inspiration from surgery refusenik Cate Blanchett, with her beautiful, normal, thin face, and Jerry Hall, who says: ‘Cosmetic surgery is terrifying. It never looks good.
‘Those women look weird. They look in the mirror and think they look great, but they don’t see what we see. I think it’s hideous.’
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Posted in: Beauty
Collagen Injections Lips presents the following fascinating list of the 30 Skin Care Misconceptions, originally posted in the May 2009 issue of Skin Inc. Magazine, by: Carol and Rob Trow. I know that I certainly learned a thing or two (can I just say that I have been using Vitamin E for years on my stretch marks, guess that was a bit of a waste of time!). In addition, this list passed the approval of my dermatologist, and she even asked to have this list and blog link as a reference point for her patients! Skin care professionals and consumers alike are bombarded daily with a myriad of information about skin care, skin science and skin health from the media, manufacturers and an ever-increasing number of physicians, all attempting to justify that what they profess and advocate is the truth and nothing but the truth. Sometimes claims are accurate and sometimes they aren’t. More often than not, the truth may lie somewhere in between. Everyone from late-night television host David Letterman to mass-market publications proudly announce their top 10 lists. Well, this is no different except that it focuses on 30 skin care myths. The following list offers up a variety of skin care facts—not in priority order—that may well call into question some common beliefs and long-held traditions. See how many you agree with as you review the list. This list is not meant to be all-inclusive, but hopefully it will inspire thinking about what is real and how you know it is real and also inspire you to question those making a variety of claims about products, ingredients and the science behind them. Your role as a skin care professional has a large educational component that mandates remaining current in the field, as well as providing education on skin health to clients and patients. Sharing these myths with clients will help to strengthen your credibility as a skin care expert. Remember, you are not selling hope in a jar, but rather providing realistic and truthful solutions to help deal with extrinsic and intrinsic aging.
Facial exercises tone facial muscles and make a person appear younger. The face is the only part of the body where muscles are attached directly to the skin; there are no facial ligaments and tissue. Constant facial exercise and tugging contribute to additional lines. Actually, wrinkles often form along expression lines caused by facial movements.
Vitamin E minimizes scarring. Vitamin E is an antioxidant and helps build skin, but there is no evidence that it does anything to help with scarring. There is even some research that suggests it may have a negative effect on scarring.
Cucumbers help reduce puffiness around the eyes. The principle ingredient in cucumbers is 90% water with the balance being inert fiber. They can be soothing and, with moisture, hydrate skin temporarily. The same results can be obtained from a cold compress.
Skin pores open and close. Pores are openings in the skin that allow oils (sebum) to reach the surface. If pores are larger, this can be due to dead cells, genetics or scarring from squeezing blemishes.
The higher the skin protection factor (SPF) rating, the better. SPF ratings, soon to be revised by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), only refer to protection from UVB rays. A person needs sun protection that has chemical and physical blockers, plus antioxidants. A higher SPF also gives a false sense of security and introduces more potentially harmful chemicals to the body. Plus, an SPF of 50 is only marginally more protective than an SPF of 15; an SPF of 30 has only 2% more protection than an SPF of 15, and a 40 has only 1% more than a 30. Sunscreens need to be reapplied every 90–120 minutes.
Layering several products with SPF ratings increases protection. You are only protected to the extent of the higher rating of one product. A foundation with an SPF of 10, moisturizer with an SPF of 15 and a sunscreen with an SPF of 20 does not yield an SPF rating of 45.
Topical creams containing collagen can replace collagen. There is a lack of impartial, empirical evidence that the topical application of collagen or elastin can penetrate the dermis, even when using nanotechnology. They can provide moisturization to the epidermis, but only injections are conclusively effective. Mineral oil is bad for your skin. Today’s cosmeceutical mineral oil is a far cry from the industrial type that was previously used on skin. It is a very effective ingredient in helping remove excess oil from the skin. Oil attracts oil, and the modern mineral oil formulated for use in skin care has a different molecular weight and will not harm skin or clog pores. Mixed with kaolin—fine clay—it makes a potent cocktail to assist in controlling oil production in problematic skin. Vitamin A is the best ingredient to normalize skin.
Mineral oil is comedogenic. Cosmeceutical-grade mineral oil is not comedogenic. The myth is that industrial-grade mineral oil and lubricants are the same as those used in cosmetic ingredients. So-called medicinal white mineral oil has met with stringent safety standards. To remove sebum plugs in the follicles, an oil-based substance is needed. Water-based products cannot melt or remove sebum plugs.
Preservatives in skin care products are bad. Preservatives help prevent the growth of bacteria, fungi and other organisms that can not only deteriorate a product’s effectiveness and spoil the product itself, but also allow harmful bacteria to get on or in the skin. Although there is concern about the use of parabens, the research is not definitive that topical application leads to harmful accumulations. Parabens are found throughout nature; for example, many fruits and vegetables, such as strawberries, are naturally full of parabens. But further study is needed.
Packaging is not important. Packaging in skin care is vitally important—not for aesthetic reasons—but to protect the efficacy of the ingredients. Wide-mouth jars, transparent containers and pumps that are not airless all pose problems in keeping ingredients safe and potent.
Chocolate and greasy foods cause acne. Eating chocolate does not cause acne. Hormonal factors, bacteria and skin cells are at the root of problematic skin, and stress can exacerbate flareups. Some individuals may have allergic reactions to foods that can cause inflammation, as well.
Natural and organic products are always better. Buyer, beware! Many natural and organic products are not as they claim. Plus, many times, active ingredients have to be synthesized to be bioavailable and efficacious. Synthetic compounds can actually be identical to those found in nature and be more effective. Natural vs. laboratory-processed should not lead to an up or down decision about whether a product is good or bad. Not all chemicals are bad, and not all natural or organic ingredients are good.
Using larger quantities of a product will yield better results. Less is more. Normally, a pea-sized amount of facial product will do the trick. Excessive amounts can cause skin problems and waste money.
Blackheads are a caused by improperly cleansed skin. Blackheads or comedones are caused by clogged pores, and excessive scrubbing can irritate and further inflame skin. Blackheads often contain dirt, oil, and dry and dead skin cells that need to be removed. Products that help dissolve sebum are the most effective.
Drying problematic or oily skin clears up acne. The opposite is true. When skin becomes overly dry, an environment is created in which the skin is signaled that is too dry and produces more oil. Use drying products sparingly, and look to lightly moisture oily skin. The goal is to keep skin balanced.
Get a base tan to prevent burning before going on vacation. Any tan is a scar, and there is no such thing as a healthy, safe tan. Self-tanners are the safest way to obtain tanned skin.
All sun damage to skin occurs before 18 years of age. Indoor tanning is safe. The argument that tanning beds and booths do not cause skin mutations that may cause cancerous lesions to develop is patently false. UVA rays found in indoor tanning lead to deeper, more harmful skin damage. You do not have to have a sunburn to create damage to skin cells.
Antioxidants reverse wrinkles. Antioxidants are essential in fighting free radical formation and are important in helping prevent skin damage, but they cannot make wrinkles go away.
Skin damage and signs of aging can be cleared up quickly. If a product sounds too good to be true, you can bet its claims are false. The damage did not happen overnight, and it cannot be magically repaired. Expect at least three skin cycles—a cycle can be between 21–40 days, depending on age—to begin to see measurable results.
All alcohol in skin products is bad. Some compounds that contain alcohol can act as emollients, which can decrease the skin’s water loss. Cetyl, benzyl and oleyl alcohol are examples of good alcohols. It is important to know what comes before the OH in chemical compounds.
Sun exposure will improve acne. Yes, sun exposure can hide the appearance of acne for awhile, but will lead to skin damage, pigmentation and drying that signals the skin to produce more oil.
Alcohol abuse can cause your nose to become red and bulbous. The intake of alcohol can temporarily dilate blood vessels and make skin appear flushed, but in most cases, a large, inflamed, red and bulbous nose is a result of rosacea.
Skin repair only happens at night. A good night’s sleep is certainly helpful to skin health; however, skin repair is ongoing. Inadequate sleep can cause stress, skin puffiness and can slow the natural development of collagen.
Skin care products can last three or more years. Despite a number of claims to the contrary, most skin care products lose a great deal of their potency within 12 months. It is best to use the entire contents within one year because preservatives do not last forever and ingredients can get contaminated with bacteria, or they can evaporate.
Strong scrubs, soaps and abrasives are good for your skin. Be careful how you wash your face. Too much scrubbing or too many abrasive products can remove protective oils, create tiny micro tears and contribute to aging, irritated skin. Less is more, and a gentle cleanser and light moisturizer work well for most people.
Vitamin A thins the skin. Actually, the reverse is true. Skin can become thin due to the lack of vitamin A because it helps to create new, healthy and normal skin cells. Vitamin A is arguably the most important skin care ingredient, bar none. It is one of the few—if not the only—ingredient that is backed by more than 50 years of objective, scientific research supporting its efficacy.
The only form of vitamin C that works is L-ascorbic acid. L-ascorbic acid only remains in its most potent state for a limited time. A new era in vitamin C formulations, one of the best antioxidants for your skin, has arrived. There are several forms that have been developed that are not water-based, which means they can better penetrate the skin and remain more potent for longer periods of time.
There is one antioxidant ingredient that is the best. Every year, there is a hot, newly discovered antioxidant that is touted as the best, but this is not true. A cocktail of antioxidants provides better results than just one. Seek products containing a plethora of antioxidants.
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Posted in: Beauty
While admittedly a bit off topic with regard to collagen and injectable fillers, I do try to bring an anti-aging and skincare slant to my readers as well. Thus, my fascination with gold, even platinum, in skin care products becoming more and more prevalent.
Gold in skin care line has been more popular in Asia, however, there are more lines incorporating gold into their product line. I have used Jane Iredale 24kt gold shimmer powders, however, I have yet to try any skin care lines with gold.
Why Gold? A few benefits, that even my dermatologist stated have been proven not only over time (apparently, Cleopatra had gold masks and facials!), but also with scientific studies:
* Gold has been shown to slow collagen depletion and possibly even stimulate cellular growth.
* Since the 1920’s, Gold has been used to treat arthritis and appears to reduce inflammation.
* Gold has been shown to eliminate free radicals.
* Products that have gold in them, like shimmer powders and other kinds of beauty products do indeed lend the skin a lovely, youthful golden glow.
Read on for more information! Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences with skin care products containing gold, even other metallic elements. I have certainly enjoyed the topical benefits of gold, however, would love to know how it has impacted your overall skin, anti-aging benefits and efficacy in skin care lines.
Makers of fine skin care products are doing all they can to increase revenues in a down economy. Many ingredients are making waves as the next best skin care ingredient, including real 24k gold.
Read more…
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Posted in: Injectable Fillers
Collagen injections for lips is a viable solution to plumping lips and getting a natural, more youthful appearance. However, there are many other injectable fillers that can assist with anti-aging concerns and impact your appearance in a variety of ways with fantastic results.
The current popularity of injectable treatments is based on placing synthetically-derived compounds and drugs into and under our skin. At best, these are well tolerated agents that create their effect and then are gone after a relatively short period of time. The future of injectable cosmetic treatments will likely be somewhat different. And we are getting a glimpse of that potential paradigm shift right now.
Spurred by the discovery in the 1990s that fat contains a rich supply of cells similar to the stem cells found in bone marrow, developments and techniques to use stem cells from fat for injectable cosmetic and reconstructive procedures is being worked on around the world. A stem cell is a cell from which other types of cells develop and they lie in a resting state amidst many of our tissues. Fat has proven to be a rich source of stem cell populations. The theory behind this new injectable approach is that fat may be processed or handled in a way that allows the stem cells to create a blood supply for the transplant that helps the fat survive after injection. Or perhaps have the stem cells convert after injection into fat cells to replace those regular fat cells which did not survive the transfer process. During a single operation, fat is obtained by liposuction from the stomach or thigh for example and then processed using a special technique.. The ‘treated’ fat is then injected into the desired area. Because the patient is the donor, there is no risk of tissue rejection. This concept is being used in other parts of the world right now for breast augmentation and small breast reconstructions. I currently use a similar approach for my fat injections for cosmetic facial improvements and for those patients who desire buttock augmentation with fat grafts rather than a synthetic implant.
Botox and synthetic injectable fillers are here to stay and will be the backbone of office and non-invasive cosmetic treatments of the face for years to come. The use of one’s own fat remains theoretically appealing, however, and current research suggests that it will ultimately have a slice in the injectable ‘pie’ in the near future. Because it involves more effort and costs, it role will always be more limited than off-the-shelf products. But its rich source of stem cells and its lack of any rejection issues makes fat a filler material worth working on.
Author: Dr Barry Eppley
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr_Barry_Eppley
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Posted in: Injectable Fillers
Collagen Injections for Lips presents the following article about some popular injectable fillers. Many women and men alike are turning to such injections as they are much less expensive and less invasive than other cosmetic procedures to minimize lines, wrinkles and give the face a more full and youthful appearance.
In this era of direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical company advertising and promotion, this is not so surprising. The current preoccupation with anti-aging formulas and cosmetic surgery has propelled the popularity of these two bio-chemicals. Riding on the heels of Botox for cosmetic use, hyaluronic acid, such as Restylane and Juvederm, has allowed doctors and other healthcare practitioners to administer significantly rejuvenating treatments for an affordable price and ‘over lunch.’
What these dermal fillers are is not as commonly known as what they do. They are composed of hyaluronic acid which is a substance that is part of the extracellular matrix of the skin. It is part amino-acid and part sugar and acts as a filling/cushioning material between cells. An interesting feature of it is that it binds to water molecules and swells to a much larger volume that the actual material itself occupies. Thus it forms a gel. Naturally occurring hyaluronic acid, if injected into your skin, is quickly broken down and goes away. Restylane and Juvederm differ in that they are ‘cross-linked’ to increase their stability. This means that a gel of some hardness is formed that can last for months at a time.
A subtle difference between these two dermal fillers is that Juvederm is composed of different size fragments of cross-linked hyaluronic acid while Restylane is said to be composed of more uniformly sized fragments. The different-sized particles may lead to increased smoothness of injection.
Both substances are injected mainly into the lips and nasolabial folds (the smile lines between the corner of the mouth and the nose). Lips can be increased in fullness, pouting, or get increased definition of the edges. Facial depressions that cause shadow-lines, such as the nasolabial folds are also good targets for these fillers. Other target areas included deep lines in the corners of the mouth and deep frown furrows.
Generally, these fillers are injected using a fine needle and syringe. Discomfort is minimized by using topical anesthetic, but dental anesthetic injections may be necessary to adequately numb the lips, which are very sensitive.
Good results can usually be achieved with 1-2 syringes. Hyaluronic acid dermal filler generally last 6-8 months, but less in the lips. Initially, the material may feel a little hard and lumpy under the skin, but this smooths out with time and massage, if needed. The most common side effect is bruising. People taking aspirin, ibuprofen, or other medications that thin the blood should expect to have siginificantly more bruising. Hyaluronic acid injection is not a cure-all for wrinkles. Very deep, creased wrinkles can be smoothed out so that there is no appearance of shadow in wrinkle, but the actual crease in the skin may persist. Even so, it is possible to look 5-10 years younger with a syringe or two.
Author: Alex Kaplan
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Kaplan
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