At The Mack Cosmetic Center in Tampa, FL, we often have clients come in who are dismayed by the appearance of their face. Due to sun damage, weight loss, aging, or bad genes, they experience wrinkles, sunken cheeks, thin lips, and sagging chin skin. We offer Restylane to address these common cosmetic concerns. But which formulation is right for you?
What Type of Restylane Is Right for Me?
Silk
Restylane Silk holds a special place in the world of dermal fillers. It was the first FDA-approved dermal filler designed specifically to smooth the wrinkles around the mouth (smile lines) and augment the lips subtly.
The gel that makes up the injectable is smoother and smaller than any of the other formulations. The result is incredibly precise, soft, silky-smooth lips. Whether you’re looking to restore volume to your lips or enhance lips that have always been too thin, Silk is right for you if you want a subtle, non-invasive lip augmentation.
Lyft
Lyft is right for you if you have an extensive deficit of volume in the back of the hands. It is also FDA-approved to augment the cheeks and correct other age-related contour issues you may have in the middle of your face. Moreover, Lyft is right for you if you have issues with moderate to severe facial folds, like nasolabial folds.
Restylane
The original Restylane formulation is used to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. For instance, most of our clients use the original formulation to correct nasolabial folds. It may also be used for lip augmentation that is more dramatic than can be achieved with Silk.
Refyne
Refyne was designed to smooth out marionette lines and nasolabial folds that run from the corners of your mouth towards your cheek and nose. Unlike other injectables that smooth out wrinkles and folds by “freezing” muscles, your facial expressions are perfectly natural and uninhibited. You just won’t have any more facial lines.
Defyne
Defyne is right for you if you are concerned with the appearance of milk lines and wrinkles around your mouth, such as marionette lines and nasolabial folds that are just starting to form.
FAQs About Dermal Fillers
What Exactly Is a Dermal Filler?
There are two primary types of anti-aging injectables. Neuromodulators smooth out fine lines and wrinkles by eliminating muscle hyperactivity in the face. Dermal fillers, such as Restylane, contain hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a chemical compound that is found naturally in your body. It helps to keep your skin hydrated, full and elastic.
What Causes Volume Loss in the Hands?
There are several things that can cause volume loss in the hands. Most of the time, it is caused by illness, weight loss, and a drastically reduced collagen production rate. Collagen is a protein found within your skin that keeps it looking hydrated, young, tight and voluminous.
Whether your hands are wrinkled or you can clearly see the veins, tendons, and bones in your hands, dermal filler injections will rejuvenate your hands and make you look healthier and younger.
My Lips Are Asymmetrical: Can You Help Me With That?
Absolutely! Because the gel used in Silk is so thin, we can easily add volume to just one half of your upper lip so both sides are the same size. If you’d like, we can even augment your lower and upper lips after we’ve made them symmetrical. Just let us know of your aesthetic goals during your initial consultation.
If you can, bring in a picture of someone with lips that you think are perfect. We’ll let you know if that’s a realistic goal and advise you of what you can expect before, during, and after treatment.
Will Lip Injections Hurt?
Absolutely not! Included in the Silk formulation is lidocaine, a local anesthetic that numbs the treated region to ensure you feel no pain or discomfort during or after your treatment.
Am I a Good Candidate for Dermal Fillers?
If you are concerned with the signs of aging showing on your hands, chest or face, you are probably a good candidate for dermal fillers. If you are allergic to lidocaine, please let us know and we will provide you with a dermal filler that does not include the local anesthetic in question.
You should also let us know if you have a blood disease, bleeding disorder, or history of allergies to gram-positive bacteria. Moreover, you are a good candidate if you have not taken blood thinners or anti-clotting medications in the past couple of weeks. Finally, we look for candidates who are at least 21 years of age and neither pregnant nor nursing.
How Long Does Treatment Take?
The length of your treatment session depends on several factors, including the size of the areas you need to treat and how many areas you need to treat. Moreover, if you are allergic to lidocaine and you don’t want to feel the injections, you will need to receive a topical anesthetic that can take between 15 and 60 minutes to take effect.
On average, our treatment sessions run anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes. To achieve your desired aesthetic, you may need up to three treatment sessions spaced two to four weeks apart. To maintain your desired aesthetic, you may need a quick touch-up treatment every four to six months.
How Long Do Results Last?
The longevity of your treatment will probably range from six to 18 months, depending on the formulation you use. However, most of our clients enjoy coming in for a touch-up session so their desired results never fade. If you’re okay with starting to show mild to moderate wrinkles again, you shouldn’t need to come in more than once a year.
How Long Does Lyft Last?
According to clinical trials, the results of Lyft were present in 90% of test subjects after two months and 54% of test subjects after a year. In other words, objective observers could see the results of treatment in over half of people after a year.
Moreover, 95% of the subjects reported that they were satisfied with the results of treatment after two months, and 73% of them were satisfied with their results after a year.
How Long Does Lyft Affect the Hands?
A different clinical trial reported that 76% of test subjects were satisfied with the appearance of the backs of their hands after six months.
How Long Does Silk Last?
Several clinical studies have revealed that 98% of test subjects saw exceptional improvement to their lip fullness only 14 days after injection. Six months after their injection, 77% (over three quarters) were satisfied with their results.
How Long Does the Original Formulation Last?
In yet another clinical trial, objective participants observed that 95% of test subjects had significant improvements to their laugh lines 18 months after treatment when a single follow-up treatment was performed 4.5 to 9 months after the initial treatment.
How Long Do Refyne and Defyne Last?
After six weeks of continuous improvement following treatment, the results of Refyne and Defyne last 12 months in 79% of people who receive Refyne and 77% of people who receive Defyne.
How Long Does It Take to See the Results of Treatment?
The injections add volume to your face, hands, or chest immediately. However, the results of your treatment will continue to improve as your skin is encouraged to produce stronger, healthier collagen. Once your body has processed the hyaluronic acid, there is still a strong supporting structure for tight, healthy, smooth skin.
What Should I Avoid After Treatment?
Avoid applying makeup to your skin immediately after treatment. After 24 hours, we recommend a concealer with a slightly green or yellow tone. You should also avoid taking NSAIDs or any other medications or supplements that can thin your blood. During your initial consultation, we will provide you with a comprehensive list of what to avoid.
What Should I Do in the Week Leading Up to My Lip Injections?
In the week leading up to your lip injections, stop taking medications and supplements that can thin your blood. Two days before your injection, stop using anti-aging products that contain glycolic acid, retinoids, retinol or tretinoin.
Avoid hair removal around your mouth in any form, including hair removal cream, tweezing, bleaching or waxing. Start taking Arnica supplements if you have a history of bruising. Do not drink alcohol within 24 hours of your treatment.
What Should I Do on the Day of My Lip Injections?
Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and warm water. Do not wear makeup. We will sterilize the treatment area when you get here, so there’s no point in wearing makeup.
How Should I Prepare for My Initial Consultation?
To prepare for your initial consultation, we recommend writing down all of the results you want to achieve. For instance, you may have wrinkles or loose skin in your decollete region that you may forget about when talking about your sunken cheeks. This ensures we have all the information we need to help you achieve your desired aesthetic.
You should also bring a list of all medications and supplements you are currently taking or have taken within the past two weeks, Certain medications and supplements must be avoided for a week before and after your treatment. If your physician says you can’t stop taking a certain medication, you will need a different treatment to enhance your aesthetic.
Can I Combine This Treatment With Other Treatments?
Yes! This treatment absolutely plays well with others. Most of our clients like to pair it with a neuromodulator, such as Botox or Dysport.
Do I Need a Neuromodulator?
You may need a neuromodulator if you have lines, wrinkles or folds on your face that are caused by hyperactive muscles. Neither Botox nor Dysport “freeze” your face and make you look unnatural. You will still have the full range of motion in your face. You just won’t have hyperactivity, which means you won’t have lines caused by hyperactivity.
How Long Does a Neuromodulator Treatment Take?
On average, it takes between three and 15 minutes to administer a neuromodulator treatment depending on the size of the areas you are treating and how many areas you are treating. It takes around one to three days to see the results, and they usually last three to six months.
Discover How to Put Your Best Face Forward Today
Is your face marked by the signs of aging, such as sunken cheeks, thin lips, or furrowed brows? If so, you may benefit from Restylane. To determine which formulations are best for you, please contact us at The Mack Cosmetic Center in Tampa, FL today to schedule your initial consultation. We look forward to hearing from you and can’t wait to help you achieve the look you desire.