Restylane® is one of Dr. Darst’s favorite fillers. It is based on hyaluronic acid, which is one of the normal components of skin. Hyaluronic acid is the ‘goo’ that holds all our blood vessels and nerves as well as the hair follicles and the collagen together, beneath the top layer, or the epidermis, of the skin. Restylane® is a naturally occurring substance in the body. However, it is manufactured sterilely in a laboratory by the Medicis Company and then packaged sterilely in ‘ready to use’ syringes for use in the medical office. It is not harvested from any living animal. This is unlike the type of collagen which was derived from cows (no longer available in the U.S.). Animal derived collagen is basically processed out of the skin of the cattle. During the time of its use, there were concerns about allergies as well as other possible side effects. As a result, in those days, a skin test was done before the use of cow collagen as a filler. This assured that the patient was not allergic to it. However, when using Restylane®, that entire process is not necessary.

The main purpose of using fillers is to provide more volume to the face of the patient. As people move into their 20s and 30s and beyond, the bones of the face change and they actually lose volume in the mid face. The bones actually re-absorb. This is why people look at pictures of themselves when they were in high school and compare it to a picture of them at present, noticing that their cheeks were much fuller then. As the mid face bone decreases, it allows the cheeks to sag. To assist in correcting this, Dr. Darst uses the filler in the upper mid face to provide support to the lower face. Restylane® is injected right above the bone, where the bone has re-absorbed. As a result, it recreates the volume missing in that region. This treatment tends to lift the face, decreasing the jowl that comes with ageing.

If you are interested in getting a revitalized and younger looking appearance with Restylane® treatment, visit Dr. Darst’s dermatology office today!