Introduction
We utilize a variety of facial fillers in our office. Restylane and RHA products are a smooth consistency gel made of hyaluronic acid—a naturally occurring substance in your skin that helps to add volume and hydration. Hyaluronic acid is one of the most commonly used fillers world wide because of its safety and results. Dr. Steely is a leading injector of Restylane and RHA products in Houston, Texas.
The Restylane/RHA Procedure
Because Restylane and RHA products are injectable gel, it is a simple, nonsurgical treatment, and there is minimal recovery or downtime. The Restylane or RHA procedure takes about 30 minutes. Dr. Steely will examine the soft tissue of your face to assess the depth of wrinkles and folds to determine your treatment. Restylane injectable gel is available in multiple formulations—Restylane-L, Restylane Silk, Restylane Lyft, Restylane Refyne, Restylane Defyne, Restylane Kysse, and Restylane Contour. RHA dermal fillers is also available in several formulations- RHA 2, RHA 3, and RHA 4. Each product is formulated differently to treat different areas of the face. This allows Dr. Steely to better tailor treatment to your unique needs.
After using a numbing cream to minimize discomfort, Restylane or RHA dermal filler is injected directly into the skin in tiny amounts by an ultrafine needle. The procedure is simple and convenient, and results are practically instantaneous.
To decrease any discomfort, Dr. Steely will use a little ice if necessary and gently pinch the injection site. After making multiple injections, he will apply pressure and massage the area lightly to decrease bruising.
Dermal Fillers Before and After
How Long do Restylane or RHA dermal fillers Last?
You should see an immediate improvement in the treatment areas. Most patients need only one treatment to achieve optimal results, and depending upon the site injected, the results last from 6 months to over a year. However, results may vary and correction is temporary. Supplemental “touch up” treatments may be required to achieve and maintain optimal results.
After Your Restylane or RHA Injections
With Restylane and RHA dermal fillers there is minimal recovery or downtime.
For the first 24 hours following treatment, you should avoid strenuous exercise, excessive sun or heat exposure, and consumption of alcoholic beverages in order to help minimize the risks of temporary redness, swelling, and/or itching at the treatment sites. After the treatment, some temporary injection-related reactions may occur, including redness, pain, firmness, swelling, and bumps. Studies have shown that these are usually mild to moderate in nature and clear up on their own in 7 days or less. If you experience swelling at the injection site, you can apply an ice pack for a brief period. Dr. Steely will tell you when makeup may be applied after your treatment.
Possible Temporary Side Effects
The risk of side effects associated with Restylane or RHA injections is low, and those that do occur are minor and temporary. As with any medical procedure, it is important to be aware of the possibilities. It is normal after Restylane or RHA treatments to have redness, swelling, pain, or tenderness lasting for a few days. Restylane and RHA dermal fillers are very safe, but in a small percentage of people, the temporary effects of redness, swelling, and tenderness can last for several weeks.
Contact Our Office
Don’t hesitate to contact our office if you’re interested in learning more about dermal fillers. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Steely will happily walk you through the entire process and answer any of the questions you have along the way. Your journey to the breasts you’ve always wanted begins with a consultation.
Dermal Filler FAQ
Who will Perform my Injection Procedure?
Board Certified Houston Plastic Surgeon Dr. Steely will administer your Restylane or RHA injections. In contrast to many other offices and salons that offer filler treatments and allow ancillary medical staff or even non-medically trained staff to administer the medication, Dr. Steely and only Dr. Steely will perform the procedure.
What Makes Restylane Different From Other Dermal Fillers?
The Restylane line of products is formulated to act like your body’s own naturally occurring hyaluronic acid, restoring volume to your skin. Restylane Silk, Restylane, and Restylane Lyft uses innovative NASHA technology. This gives each product a unique particle size for tailored treatment. Restylane Refyne, Restylane Defyne, Restylane Kysse, and Restylane Contour are flexible hyaluronic acid gels designed to give you the flexibility to show your natural range of facial expressions using XpresHAn TECHNOLOGY. With over 40 million treatments worldwide and counting, the Restylane line of hyaluronic acid fillers provides natural-looking results.
How is Restylane Different Than Juvederm?
Restylane and Juvederm are both injectable hyaluronic acid products designed for cosmetic enhancement of the face. Dr. Steely uses primarily Restylane products in his practice, but has used Juvederm extensively and also believes it is a quality product.
How is Restylane Injectable Gel Different from BOTOX® Cosmetic?
Restylane injectable gel and all of the products in the Restylane family are “next generation” hyaluronic acid dermal fillers that provides volume and is used to treat wrinkles and folds resulting from a loss of volume beneath the surface of the skin such as perioral lines and nasolabial folds (lines around your mouth and nose). Restylane products restores your skin’s volume for a smooth, natural look and feel. BOTOX® Cosmetic is not a filler. BOTOX® Cosmetic relaxes muscle activity and is used to treat moderate to severe lines caused by the dominant frown muscles between the eyebrows (the glabellar area). This allows the two vertical lines between the brows, often referred to as the “11,” to temporarily diminish for a smoother appearance. It is best to think of Restylane and other fillers as agents that can soften or eliminate lines on ones face when your face is in repose. Botox, on the other hand, works on lines of facial expression when your face is in motion.
Learn more about Botox Cosmetic at the offices of Dr. Steely Here
What Areas can be Treated with Restylane?
The Restylane line smooths away facial wrinkles and folds ( Restylane, Restylane Lyft, Restylane Refyne, Restylane Defyne ), provides subtle lip enhancement (Restylane, Restylane Silk and Restylane Kysse), smooths the lines around the mouth (Restylane Silk), adds lift and volume to the cheeks (Restylane Lyft, Restylane Defyne and Restylane Contour), and helps reverse the signs of volume loss in the back of the hands (Restylane Lyft).
Does the Restylane Injection Procedure Hurt?
There is some discomfort with any injection procedure. At Steely Plastic Surgery, we strive to minimize any discomfort. We utilize a special numbing cream applied to your face before injection to help blunt the discomfort of the needle injection. We also use the newest generation of Restylane products which has lidocaine, a local anesthetic, incorporated into the gel. This melding of the gel with a local anesthetic makes the rejuvenating process with Restylane to be one of the least painful on the market today.
Can I Return to Work Right After my Injection with Restylane?
There is no reason why you cannot return to work after injection with Restylane. There will be some mild swelling and redness at the injection site that will dissipate in about 6 to 12 hours, so many patients choose to have their injections done in the afternoon and return to work the following day. You may apply makeup immediately after injection with Restylane if you wish.
How Much Does Restylane Cost?
Restylane products are sold by the syringe. The Restylane product line ranges from $600 – $800 per syringe. Most patients require between 1 and 2 syringes for complete treatment.
Why is Restylane Less Expensive at Other Places?
You will see many advertisements for “cheap fillers”. These are frequently administered by non-physicians or physicians working outside of their sphere of expertise. It takes years to learn how to properly administer dermal fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm and RHA products, and Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Lee Steely is an expert in injecting these substances, performing the procedure most days of the week.
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance found in all mammals that helps to hydrate and add volume to your skin. In addition to its use as an aesthetic treatment, hyaluronic acid has also been used for more than 20 years for injection into arthritic joints to aid movement as well as for eye surgeries and wound repair.
What is Cross-linked Hyaluronic Acid?
“Uncross-linked” hyaluronic acid in its natural form is in a liquid state. “Cross-linking” is the process through which hyaluronic acid is made into a gel product that can be injected into the skin for long-lasting results.
What if I do not Like the Results - What Can be Done?
Our patients are overwhelmingly happy with their Restylane and RHA injections. In the rare event that one does not like the look given to them by the filler, a dissolving agent is available that can completely reverse the effect of hyaluronic acid in about 24 hours.
Where can I Learn More about Restylane?
The Restylane website has a wealth of additional information.
Call 713-622-6500 or email Dr. Steely for a complimentary initial appointment or for more information relating to the Restylane procedure.