Restylane® versus Juvederm® for the lips.

Restylane® has been the most successful dermal filler for lip augmentation over the years. The results are predictable and last between 4 to 6 months. With time, the hyaluronic acid product diminishes and is absorbed harmlessly into the body. Restylane® is injected along the borders of the lip, the Vermilion border and the white line to nicely enhance these areas. Restylane® can be injected into the red portion of the lips to augment the overall size. Restylane® does not require skin testing before treatment. Treating the lips for augmentation entails an in-office procedure usually lasting less than 30 minutes.

Juvederm® versus Restylane® in your lips.

Juvederm® is the second most popular dermal filler, in our practice. Juvederm® is a smooth consistency gel made of cross-linked hyaluronic acid, and is a very soft dermal filler that feels more natural than Restylane® in the lips.The results are comparable to Restylane® and last between 4 to 6 months for lip augmentation. With time, the hyaluronic acid product in Juvederm® is absorbed harmlessly into the body. Juvederm is injected along the borders of the lip, the Vermilion border and the white line to nicely enhance these areas. Juvederm® can be injected into the red portion of the lips to augment the overall size. No skin testing is required before treatment. Treating the lips for augmentation entails an in-office procedure usually lasting less than 30 minutes.

Off-label use of FDA Approved products.

Use of these FDA-approved dermal fillers is considered off-label. This means that the product is used in an area not tested by the manufacturer and with no data review by the FDA. This is acceptable to do, but requires the patient’s understanding and consent before proceeding.

• Nasolabial folds or laugh lines.
• Marionette lines.
• Cheeks.
• Submalar or below the cheek
• Nose correction.
• Jaw Line and Jowls.
• Mental Crease & Chin.
• Oral Commissure or corners of the mouth.
• Temporal Hollows.
• Hand Rejuvenation.

Radiesse® is a wrinkle filler that is a safe and FDA-approved for moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds such as nasolabial folds. Radiesse® wrinkle filler fills and volumizes to correct the signs of facial fat loss and restore a natural look. Radiesse® wrinkle treatment is now FDA-approved to enhance patient comfort with our Accessory Kit for lidocaine mixing. In a recent clinical study, 90% of patients reported significant pain reduction using Radiesse® wrinkle filler mixed with lidocaine.

Most of us know about Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, and Radiesse. Well, the FDA has approved the addition of lidocaine for all these dermal fillers. Lidocaine is a numbing medication and can effectively reduce the pain with injection. So, if you want fuller lips and less lines on your face, now you can have these with a lot less discomfort. Same products, less pain!

Restylane-L is Restylane with lidocaine. Perlane-L is Perlane with lidocaine. Juvederm XC is Juvederm with lidocaine. Radiesse also comes with lidocaine and an extra 0.2 cc for a total filler volume of 1.5 cc compared to the 1.3 cc with the old syringe. And, did I mention these are all FDA approved!

For better results, I recommend you ask for these by name…

For more information about dermal fillers with lidocaine or to make an appointment for for dermal filler injections in Scottsdale please call (480) 970-2596.

Non-surgical liquid facelift.

Scottsdale – A liquid face lift involves the use of advanced dermal fillers with the capacity to last longer used in combination with BOTOX^® to rejuvenate the appearance of the face.  The dermal fillers used are considered 2nd generation dermal fillers and provide more enduring results than earlier products.

The new group of 2nd generation, advanced dermal fillers includes:

Juvederm Ultra^®, Juvederm Ultra Plus^®, and Juvederm XC^®

Radiesse^® and Radiesse^® with lido

Restylane^® and Perlane^®

Sculptra^®

Using these products a liquid face lift can give your face a gentle lift,  reduce your wrinkles, laugh lines and other folds, and restore  a more natural, rested and energetic appearance to your face.

In the study 30 nude mice, divided into three groups, were used. All 30 mice received human fat tissue on one side. On the opposite side, 10 mice received nothing (negative control group), 10 mice received cell proliferation medium, and the remaining 10 mice received only subcutaneous tunneling. After 8 weeks the investigators analyzed the tissues via biopsy of the skin and subcutaneous tissue.  Dermis thickness was measured.  To differentiate human from mice collagen fibers, human and murine (mice) collagen type I antibodies were used.

The results found human fat tissue was in all animals and appeared normal, with abundant peripheral neo-vascularization (establishing a new blood supply). Examination under the microscope, showed abundant extracellular matrix around the injected human fat tissue. This was primarily type I collagen fibers of mice origin as a result of the murine fibroblast stimulation by the grafted human fat tissue. Dermal thickness after fat grafting was significantly greater. The researchers excluded inflammation as a cause of the increased thickness because no modification was detected in our control groups.

For years, plastic surgeons have been reporting improved skin quality after fat grafting. However, a biologic mechanism has not been fully elucidated to account for these observations.  This study demonstrates the biologic steps which lead to improved skin quality.  Based on the findings, it is safe to say that the generation of collagen in the overlying skin produces several positive effects. Overall, this study shows that fat tissue grafting stimulates a neo-synthesis of collagen fibers at the recipient site and makes the dermis thicker.  However, I agree with the investigators that long-term effects remain undetermined and need further investigation.