What should I expect with my filler service?
Cosmetic fillers like Restylane®, Perlane®, Juvederm®, and other hyaluronic acid fillers are an excellent alternative to surgical procedures. These products are composed of a cross-linked sugar gel that can correct wrinkles, volumize the nasolabial fold and lips, fill acne scars, and improve under-eye dark circles. Dr. Steinsapir is the inventor of a unique and effective method that specifically addresses under-eye discoloration. This technique is called the Deepfill™ method. Facial fillers last about a year and treatments are easily adjusted using hyaluronidase, if necessary. For many years, Bovine Collagen was the gold standard of fillers, but has now been displaced by Restylane® which is now the filler to which all others are compared.
Like Restylane, Perlane® is intended for volumizing, but it differs from Restylane in that Perlane is intended to provide facial volume in the deep dermis and superficial subcutaneous fat. Perlane and Restylane are not equivalent products. It is essential that your doctor places Perlane deeper than Restylane. When used properly, Perlane is an excellent alternative to volumizing products like Scluptra® and Radiesse® and even fat transfer. Treatment with Perlane also lasts well over a year.
Where are injections commonly performed?
Hyaluronic acid fillers are office-based services. You may see estheticians and unqualified individuals like medical assistants offering injections illegally in spas and salons under the justification that they have a “medical director.” No States permit this arrangement. Unless a doctor is present and performs the service, this type of situation is the illegal practice of medicine. As with BOTOX®, don’t let an unqualified individual perform your Restylane or Perlane service.
Just like BOTOX, only a licensed medical doctor or a nurse under the direct supervision of a licensed medical doctor can inject hyaluronic acid fillers. The exact details of the required qualifications vary by State so it’s important to research the individual you wish to perform the injection to ensure he or she is qualified. However, just because your doctor or nurse is minimally qualified to perform the injection does not necessarily indicate he or she is the ideal choice for the procedure. As with many other medical procedures, the best results require a certain level of qualification, skill and experience; these concerns are perhaps even more important when considering modifications to your physical appearance.
What’s the typical recovery course and what are the physical restrictions?
Many of Dr. Steinsapir’s patients resume their normal activities just after leaving the office with the exception of no workouts for 24 hours. Wait a day before going to the gym. If you don’t bruise, there will be about thirty to forty hours during which you experience minimal swelling. Many patients, both men and women, can hide this swelling right away with a camouflage makeup that matches their skin color if necessary. If your lower eyelid skin quality is poor and you often collect a small bag of puffiness under the eye, the doctor may counsel you regarding the need to consider a procedure like a chemical peel or surgery prior to getting regular filler treatments so you don’t experience prolonged recovery after each filler service. This can be discussed when you have your initial consultation.
What are common complications and how are they addressed?
Most people, about 70 percent, do not experience bruising after a Restylane treatment; the other 30 percent experience some degree of bruising; most of it mild. But a very few (one or two in a hundred) will develop a black eye. The black eye can take about two to three weeks to completely resolve, and this is a cosmetic concern without health dangers. The worst part of this is that many will assume that you were the victim of domestic violence. Glasses and makeup help to hide the bruise while it is resolving. Considering that Restylane will last over a year, the recovery process is very mild and comfortable even for these few.
For the few Restylane recipients who experience bruising, the short-lived bruise is worth the long-term results. It’s a good idea to obtain treatment at least three weeks before big events like vacations. For the biggest occasions such as your own wedding, Dr. Steinsapir advises have treatment 2 months ahead of the event to be completely certain that your pictures will turn out great.
To minimize your risk of bruising, your doctor will ask you to stop taking certain medications that thin the blood, such as aspirin. If you are taking anything prescribed by a doctor, Dr. Steinsapir strongly advise that you consult with your prescribing physician before discontinuing the medication. If your doctor suggests that you continue the medication, this does not mean that you aren’t a good Restylane candidate. If you are willing to be at a slightly elevated risk for bruising, Restylane can still be effective. Your regular doctor and your cosmetic specialist can help you decide the best route to take.
The incidence of allergic reaction varies with the products used and should be discussed with the treating physician but the incidence of allergies to these products is very low.
For unwanted highlights or bumps that occasionally occur after an otherwise excellent filler treatment, the enzyme hyaluronidase makes Restylane injections easily adjustable to a more desired aesthetic, and your doctor can even erase the treatment completely if you determine together that this is your best option. In the event that you experience lumps or unwanted effects from your Restylane treatment, hyaluronidase makes it easy to adjust hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane, Juvederm and Perlane. This flexibility created by the ability to adjust a service is one of the most important factors making HA fillers such a popular service.
About Dr. Steinsapir
Dr. Steinsapir is a much sought after oculofacial surgeon. He is an innovator in minimally invasive cosmetic and reconstructive procedures and has invented new methods for treating with BOTOX, fillers and cutting edge reconstructive eyelid and midface surgery. He specializes in high precision eyelid surgery and is a leader in correcting prior facial and eyelid surgery, including multiple revised cosmetic eyelid reconstructions. He attended medical school at the UCLA and completed ophthalmology residency at The University of Chicago. He is multiple fellowship trained including three years of fellowship training in oculofacial plastic surgery at UCLA, and a two-year cosmetic surgery fellowship in Rancho Mirage. He is widely published and lectures to other surgeons nationally and internationally. He is an associate clinical professor of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA. His private practice is located in West Los Angeles, immediately serving the Los Angeles and Bevery Hills communities. Additionally, individuals from all over the country and the world regularly come to Los Angeles for this expert care.
To learn more about Dr. Steinsapir’s specialized Restylane treatments, please contact us today.
Services described may be “off-label” and lack FDA approval. This article is informational and does not constitute an advertisement for off-label treatment. No services should be provided without a good faith examination by a licensed physician and an informed consent with a discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the likelihood of treatment success. Only you and your treating physician or surgeon can determine if a treatment is right for you.
I had facial fillers and BOTOX and now I look older
If this happened to you, there is no doubt that you are dissatisfied with your treatment and that it makes you feel old – the exact opposite of the reason you chose to undergo the procedure! There are many reasons your treatment may not have turned out the way you expected it to, but it is not the fault of the BOTOX or the filler, whether it’s Juvederm®, Perlane®, Restylane®, or any other hyluronic acid filler. Complications from non-surgical treatments like fillers and BOTOX are almost always the result of your surgeon’s talent. Choosing a skilled surgeon to perform your injections is important, but once the damage is done, choosing a skilled surgeon to fix the problem is imperative.
The Truth About Treatments
As the effects of your BOTOX treatment begin to wear off after several months―Restylane wears off more slowly―your face will slowly regain the looks it had immediately before your treatment. Restylane and BOTOX treatments will not make you look worse than your original pre-treatment appearance as they wear off, nor are they supposed to make you look worse when treatment is new. Provided you did not let someone put silicone oil
in your face and treatment is provided by an experienced injector fillers and botulinum toxin A have few side effects. But if you aren’t happy with your results, you do have options and it is not necessary to wait more than a year for the filler to wear off.
Options for Fixing BOTOX Treatments
Treatments like BOTOX and Restylane are popular because they are noninvasive treatments that together can smooth wrinkles, relax tense muscles, and fill in hollow areas. BOTOX and Restylane will not permanently alter your looks. BOTOX is a naturally-occurring purified protein that relaxes muscles, and Restylane is made from a biodegradable sugar-gel that occurs naturally in the body. Both of these are eventually broken down and expelled from your body completely.
Generally with the botulinum toxin A products (BOTOX, Dysport, Xeomin), the issue is an unbalanced treatment. These services typically freeze the forehead. The treatment results can be improved by having the appropriate counter treatment along the eyebrow using Dr. Steinsapir’s Microdroplet method. However, if your BOTOX treatment has caused eyelid ptosis, Dr. Steinsapir recommends finding an oculoplastic surgeon to help you with this particular issue. Oculoplastic surgeons are trained to assess and follow upper eyelid ptosis. They are familiar and have experience treating upper eyelid ptosis. A prescription for Iopidine (aproclonidine ophthalmic solution) can be helpful in this circumstance. This medication is a glaucoma medicine that can elevate the eyelid a couple of millimeters. The drops can also be used to assess the severity of the ptosis and predict the likely time frame for the resolution of ptosis. Dr. Steinsapir recommends trying the drop twice a day for a week. If the drop is working to open the eye, then it is likely that the ptosis will resolve in 4-6 weeks.
Options for Fixing Filler Treatments
Dr. Steinsapir often sees individuals frustrated with treatments they received elsewhere. Surprisingly, many people are not aware that the hyaluronic acid fillers can be adjusted using the enzyme hyaluronidase. This enzyme is delivered with a small injection during a very comfortable office visit. Dr. Steinsapir has helped people who put up with unsatisfactory treatments for much longer than they need to. These issues are easily dealt with using the enzyme in one or two visits. It is the ability to make these adjustments that makes it feasible to provide many of the advanced filler services. Do you have a hyaluronic acid filler issue that is not responding to hyaluronidase? Some patients have been told they were injected with hyaluronic acid filler but in fact were treated with silicone oil. Correction of some of these issues can be challenging and need to be approached on a case by case basis.
Restylane is a long-lasting, but not permanent sugar-gel facial filler that is preferred for improving facial contours due to its natural results, even in sensitive areas like dark circles under the eyes and the lip edge. Restylane and Perlane offer the ability to modify results when necessary. This includes treatments that were performed in the past and need fine-tuning. The ability to adjust a treatment with the enzyme can take a good treatment and make it great. In some cases, as the body slowly breaks down the material over time, slight irregularities may develop despite the initial quality of the treatment. Sometimes, the answer is adding filler rather than subtracting volume. For this reason, it is best to start with a detailed assessment with an expert like Dr. Steinsapir.
About Dr. Steinsapir
Dr. Steinsapir is a much sought after oculofacial surgeon. He is an innovator in minimally invasive cosmetic and reconstructive procedures and has invented new methods for treating with BOTOX, Fillers and cutting edge reconstructive eyelid and midface surgery. He specializes in high precision eyelid surgery and is a leader in correcting prior facial and eyelid surgery, including multiple revised cosmetic eyelid reconstructions. He attended medical school at the UCLA and completed ophthalmology residency at The University of Chicago. He is multiple fellowship trained including three years of fellowship training in oculofacial plastic surgery at UCLA, and a two-year cosmetic surgery fellowship in Rancho Mirage. He is widely published and lectures to other surgeons nationally and internationally. He is an associate clinical professor of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA. His private practice is located in West Los Angeles, immediately serving the Los Angeles and Bevery Hills communities. Additionally, individuals from all over the country and the world regularly come to Los Angeles for his expert care.
To learn more about Dr. Steinsapir’s specialized Restylane treatments, please contact us today.
Services described may be “off-label” and lack FDA approval. This article is informational and does not constitute an advertisement for off-label treatment. No services should be provided without a good faith examination by a licensed physician and an informed consent with a discussion of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the likelihood of treatment success. Only you and your treating physician or surgeon can determine if a treatment is right for you.
I had Restylane service 6 months ago and still have lumps. Can anything be done about this?
Restylane is a long-lasting but not permanent facial filler that is especially suitable for improving facial contours due to its natural-looking results, even in sensitive areas like dark circles under the eyes, and offers the ability to modify your results in the few cases when treatment isn’t completely satisfactory. The enzyme hyaluronidase makes Restylane injections easily adjustable to a more desired aesthetic, and your doctor can even erase the treatment completely if you determine together that this is your best option.
When we hear from individuals who had dissatisfactory Restylane service long in the past, what is most disconcerting is that the individual was not aware that they could seek a simple adjustment from the start, or that they were not comfortable returning to their original cosmetic surgeon for this procedure. This may indicate a problem in communication between the provider and the individual receiving services—and while this could simply be a lack of personality compatibility, it’s crucial that you are comfortable openly talking with your doctor about your treatment and any concerns that may arise.
Seeking the Best Restylane Services
While Restylane is considered a safe and routine procedure enjoyed by many who experience its benefits, this does not at all indicate that providing Restylane is an unskilled task. You should always seek treatment from a leading and qualified provider such as Dr. Steinsapir, who is a cosmetic surgeon and oculoplastic surgeon with a major specialization of his practice being Restylane, including under-eye Restylane. Your doctor must understand the subtleties of safely placing Restylane for natural results as well as how to adjust it should you have the need, and he or she must understand how Restylane and your facial anatomy interact to a level that could be called an art form. Your doctor must also understand how to seamlessly adjust your Restylane treatment through comfortable hyaluronidase treatment.
Modifying Your Restylane Results
In the event that you experience lumps or unwanted effects from your Restylane treatment, hyaluronidase makes it easy to adjust hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane, Juvederm and Perlane. In most cases its best to return to your original doctor who should be eager to make sure you are happy with your treatment and outcomes. However, if you are concerned about the skill level of your original provider who may not have specialized in facial fillers, or if you are experiencing a breakdown in communication and lack confidence seeking further direction and treatment from this individual, then you may wish to consider seeking a second opinion.
Dr. Steinsapir often sees individuals dissatisfied with treatment received elsewhere, and in many cases he can help you to restore the relationship with your original doctor. If this is not possible, then you can seek adjustment and further treatments from someone else like Dr. Steinsapir. It’s very important that you are comfortable with these decisions and are empowered with knowledge and a good communication rapport with your doctor to ensure best results. If you have been waiting as long as six months to find out if your experience with Restylane is normal and if you can have your results adjusted, we are sorry to hear that you have been needlessly stressed. Fortunately, Restylane can be adjusted and you may learn that when your treatment is customized and delivered with great skill and precision, impressive results are possible.
About Dr. Steinsapir
Dr. Steinsapir is a much sought after oculofacial surgeon. He is an innovator in minimally invasive cosmetic and reconstructive procedures and has invented new methods for treating with BOTOX, Fillers and cutting edge reconstructive eyelid and midface surgery. He specializes in high precision eyelid surgery and is a leader in correcting prior facial and eyelid surgery, including multiple revised cosmetic eyelid reconstructions. He attended medical school at the UCLA and completed ophthalmology residency at The University of Chicago. He is multiple fellowship trained including three years of fellowship training in oculofacial plastic surgery at UCLA, and a two-year cosmetic surgery fellowship in Rancho Mirage. He is widely published and lectures to other surgeons nationally and internationally. He is an associate clinical professor of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA. His private practice is located in West Los Angeles, immediately serving the Los Angeles and Bevery Hills communities. Additionally, individuals from all over the country and the world regularly come to Los Angeles for this expert care.
To learn more about Dr. Steinsapir’s specialization in Restylane treatments, please contact us today.
I’ve heard that the enzyme that erases Restylane wrecks the skin. Is that true?
One reason why fillers like Restylane and Juvederm have been so successful is because these treatments can be adjusted using an injectable enzyme called hyaluronidase, an ovine (sheep)-based enzyme that works as a sort of “erasure” to modify lumps and bumps that may occur as a result of facial filler treatment. Allergies to this product are reported to be less than 0.1%, which is considered rare.
Some people are nervous about seeking treatment because they’re not sure if they will like their new look and they want to have the option of reversing any undesirable results, or they simply wish to be able to change their mind later. Still others may be concerned that if they are dissatisfied with a filler treatment that they’ve already had, will they make things even worse by seeking a correction? These are understandable fears, but fortunately they are largely unfounded. There is no reason to believe that hyaluronidase will ruin your skin or make matters worse. Routinely, hyaluronidase is used to adjust hyaluronic acid filler treatments. While every medical procedure comes with a risk, and while it is possible that you are one of the rare individuals who could experience an allergic reaction, this is not likely. A reputable cosmetic surgeon can safely make adjustments, and in the unlikely event of a complication, your physician will know what to do.
How did the rumors about hyaluronidase get started?
At first when Juvederm and Restylane were being introduced as valuable cosmetic products, some dermatologists were concerned that some people could potentially have an allergic reaction to the enzyme. However, as time went on hyaluronidase benefited numerous treatment recipients who sought adjustment, it became clear that this enzyme is a safe way to make sure that treatments with hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane, Perlane, and Juvederm achieve the best results.
Eye plastic surgeons are some of the professionals who use hyaluronidase the most, and they have found the enzyme to be reliable. Dr. Steinsapir has used this product for over 20 years, and hasn’t seen an allergic reaction yet. While there is always a chance of a negative response in the body, oculofacial surgeons have integrated the enzyme with hyaluronic acid filler product treatment as if it’s an eraser to modify a treatment after the fact. Since adjusting filler treatment with hyaluronidase is truly an art form, some less experienced providers are not comfortable with this practice. It is important to seek treatment from someone whose forte is facial fillers and cosmetic eye treatments. These days the core specialists in hyaluronic acid are quite comfortable using the enzyme to adjust overfill.
How will I look after my hyaluronidase adjustment?
This depends on your goals and the extent of the adjustment. In most cases, you’ll want your physician to adjust a highlight, or an area of fullness that detracts from the overall treatment effect to obtain an overall treatment effect. He or she can do this comfortably and with a high degree of accuracy. The enzyme can be used essentially until the original filler disappears from the face, so it’s also possible to have the filler broken down completely. If for any reason you choose to go this route, you can expect to look the same as you always have after giving your body some time to completely heal and for any accompanying swelling to subside. Generally Dr. Steinsapir does not advocate flooding an area to “erase all the product.” Instead it is best to sculpt the product and make the most of what has already been placed. Adjusting the work of other injectors is a reason than many new clients seek out Dr. Steinsapir.
You should never accept filler treatment that is touted as permanent or semipermanent. This will make it difficult to make adjustments, and it doesn’t account for the changes in the face over time. Later in life, exactly where and how you need help will change.
If you’ve already been treated with Restylane, Perlane, or Juvederm and feel that your treatment can benefit from some adjustment, don’t simply wait for the product to wear off. You may have to live with you unsatisfactory results for a full year or more, and after that you will likely be nervous about seeking further help. Have your treatment adjusted right away so you can see the real and safe benefits of cosmetic facial fillers and realize the benefits of your treatment.
Seeking the Best Filler Treatment Available
If you have already received hyaluronic acid filler injections and seek modification, in most cases you can talk with your treatment provider about revisions. If you aren’t confident in your doctor’s abilities or do not have a positive relationship with him or her, seek a second opinion from an acclaimed expert in facial fillers with natural results.
Dr. Steinsapir is a world-renowned fillers expert and has served as a physician consultant to Medicis, Inc., the distributor of Restylane and Perlane. He also invented Deepfill method for placing Restylane, a proven method for correcting dark circles under the eyes. Those who seek treatment with Dr. Steinsapir are almost always very happy with their initial treatment, but in the event that your filler needs adjustment, Dr. Steinsapir can also provide the service of safely and comfortably adjusting your treatment with confidence. Contact us today to learn more about how Dr. Steinsapir can assure that your treatment results are natural and customizable to your goals.
