Have you noticed that your smile lines are getting deeper, your lipstick bleeds into your lip lines, your frown lines are deepening, or that your cheeks have “sunken”? Dr. Kauvar uses a variety of dermal fillers like Restylane and Juvederm to improve wrinkles and re-contour faces that have lost volume with age–to give you a fresher, younger, natural-looking appearance.
What’s more, treatment takes only minutes and there is no surgery involved! These injectable hyaluronic acid gels have an unparalleled safety profile and results can last as long as 1 year.
Areas that can be treated include:
- Lip lines (or “cigarette lines”)
- Thinning lips
- Wrinkles that extend from the nose to the corners of the mouth (known as the “nasolabial folds” or “smile lines” or “parentheses”)
- Wrinkles that extend from the corners of the mouth to the chin (“marionette lines”)
- Wrinkles around the eyes Hollows in the cheeks
- Hollows under the eyes
- Receding chin
- Weak jawline
- Acne scars
How It Works
As we age, we begin to lose hyaluronic acid (a natural hydrating substance in the skin that’s responsible for giving the skin fullness) and collagen (a protein that gives our skin strength)–leading to wrinkles and sagging skin. Loss of hyaluronic acid causes your skin to lose structure and volume.
Restylane and Juvederm–which contain a pure, non-animal derived form of hyaluronic acid–can counteract this effect. When a small amount of hyaluronic acid is injected into a specific area, it helps to fill in wrinkles and restore volume.
What to Expect
Before Dr. Kauvar injects Restylane, the area is iced, or a topical anesthetic is applied in order to minimize discomfort. Using specialized, small needles to minimize discomfort and bruising, Dr. Kauvar injects the filler directly into the skin. Treatment time is generally 15 to 30 minutes, and results are immediate.
These hyaluronic acid fillers are now formulated with lidocaine, a commonly used anesthetic to improve the comfort of treatment, and are named Restylane-L, and Juvederm XC. Dr. Kauvar was one of the first physicians to incorporate these fillers into her practice. Click here to read in Modern Medicine about her technique using these newer versions of the fillers.
Following your treatment, you may experience redness, swelling, tenderness, or bruising. These side effects are usually barely noticeable with makeup, but the bruising may last for days in some people.
These fillers are safe to use in any skin type, and studies showed no increased risk of hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, or scarring in patients of color.
Results vary from person to person, but in general, Restylane lasts from 4 to 12 months. Some studies show that returning for follow-up injections can prolong the effects for up to 18 months.
How to Minimize Bruising and Swelling
Patients taking blood thinners such as aspirin, Coumadin, Plavix, anti-inflammatory medications such as Motrin, Advil, or Alleve, alcoholic beverages, or supplements such as fish oil or vitamin E, are more likely to bruise. Discontinuing these medications for 7-10 days prior to treatment will minimize the chance of bruising–but ask your healthcare provider before doing so. Dr. Kauvar also recommends that you ice the treated area for a minimum of fifteen minutes after the procedure and avoid exercise for one day.
How to Maximize Your Benefits from Facial Fillers
Used in combination with other treatments such as Botox or Xeomin, laser rejuvenation, or laser resurfacing, Restylane injections can offer a significantly more youthful look without the need for more invasive procedures or surgery. Ask Dr. Kauvar which treatment combinations will offer you the best results. To learn how fillers can help you look your best, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kauvar.