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Wrinkle Correction: Restylane and BOTOX
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Cosmetic Surgery Procedures
Two types of injectable wrinkle correction procedures are available at the Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin Plastic Surgery Center:
- Restylane®, a natural cosmetic filler that is injected under the skin to add volume around the muscle.
- BOTOX® Cosmetic, a protein that is injected into the muscles between the brows to provide temporary reduction of moderate-to-severe frown lines.
These treatments are provided at Cascadia MediSpa, a service of the Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin Plastic Surgery Center. Many people have been very pleased with both types of treatment. The center’s plastic surgeons and nurse specialist are fully trained in both techniques.
For information or to schedule an appointment, contact us via our online form, or call 414-805-3666 or 800-272-3666.
Restylane®Since 1996, Restylane® has been used to smooth out moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. Restylane® is a safe and natural cosmetic dermal filler that restores volume and fullness to the skin. A dermal filler is a substance injected into the skin to plump it up, make it firmer and smooth out lines and wrinkles.
Restylane® is made of non-animal-based hyaluronic acid, a natural substance that already exists in the human body. The hyaluronic acid in Restylane® is a clear gel that is biodegradable and fully biocompatible with human hyaluronic acid. Restylane has the highest concentration of hyaluronic available in a dermal filler.
Restylane® is free from animal proteins, which limits the risk of animal-based disease transmission or allergic reaction. Restylane® contains trace amounts of gram-positive bacterial proteins and should not be used by people with a history of allergies to such material.
TreatmentIn the United States, the Food and Drug Administration has approved Restylane® for wrinkles and folds such as the ones from the nose to the corners of the mouth. Your physician will discuss your treatment areas with you before your injection. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or under age 18, you should not use Restylane®.
Before treatment, you should take a few precautions:
- Avoid using aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, St. John’s Wort, or high doses of Vitamin E supplements. These may increase bruising or bleeding at the injection site.
- If you have previously had facial cold sores, discuss this with your physician. He or she may prescribe a medication to minimize recurrence.
Using an ultra fine needle, Restylane® is injected directly into the skin in tiny amounts. Results are almost immediate. To optimize your comfort during the short procedure, your physician may anesthetize the treatment area.
Treatments are usually scheduled twice a year. Having a touch-up treatment before the product has fully dissipated may enhance the lasting effect. Please talk with your physician to determine your treatment needs.
After TreatmentAfter your treatment, you might have some redness or swelling. This usually lasts less than seven days. Sunbathing and cold outdoor activities should be avoided until any redness or swelling disappears.
Studies have shown that Restylane® generally lasts for about six months, and the cosmetic effect is maintained until the injected material is nearly gone.
BOTOX® CosmeticFrown lines that appear between the brows are caused by muscle movement and the passage of time. When these muscles contract, they draw the brows closer together. As the skin becomes less elastic over time, repeated frowning can result in moderate-to-severe lines between the nose.
BOTOX® Cosmetic is the only FDA-approved treatment for the temporary reduction of moderate-to-severe frown lines between the brows in people 18 to 65 years of age. BOTOX® Cosmetic works by blocking nerve impulses, which reduces the movement of the muscles. With less movement, the skin surface gradually smoothes out, and the frown lines between the brows begin to fade.
BOTOX® Cosmetic is a purified protein that is injected by a physician. Very low doses are given through a few tiny injections directly into the muscles that cause the lines between the brows. Your physician will determine where to give the injections for the best results.
No anesthesia is needed, although the physician may choose to numb the areas with a cold pack or anesthetic cream before injecting. The procedure takes about 10 minutes and requires no recovery time; you may resume normal activities immediately. The procedure causes little discomfort.
Side effects may include pain and redness at the injection site, pain in the face and muscle weakness. These generally occur within the first week and usually go away on their own. Patients with certain neurological disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be at increased risk for serious side effects. Serious allergic reactions have been rarely reported.
You can expect to see results within a few days after treatment. By day 30, 89 percent of patients reported the severity of their frown lines between their brows as moderate or better. Visible results can last up to four months. After that, you may be ready to return for a follow-up treatment.
Author: Marla Fraunfelder Last Review Date: June 19, 2006 Online Editor(s): Christopher Sadler |
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