Dr. Steinsapir regularly uses Restylane in his Los Angeles practice to correct dark circles under the eyes because it has demonstrated time and time again to be more reliable and produce better results than other fillers in most cases. Restylane is usually a better choice than permanent under-eye filler because the skin and eyelid are very thin in this region.
Under Eye Circles Before and After
Restylane is easily adjusted after treatment should an adjustment become necessary and it can be done in a non-invasive manner without surgery. In the rare case that Restylane does not settle right, it can be easily adjusted with just a tiny injection of hyaluronidase, a safe enzyme that breaks down and softens Restylane.
It is unlikely there will be a complication because Restylane’s thickness keeps it from forming lumps the way other fillers sometimes do in the most sensitive areas. If irregularities do occur, they can be adjusted using the hyaluronidase. The thickness of Restylane keeps the filler in place in the lower eyelid and upper cheek regions so your results will be long lasting and remain natural looking. After treatment, Restylane is very effective and usually lasts one to two years. Because the procedure only requires office based injections and can yields ideal results, many people choose to have periodic Restylane treatments rather than surgery. What’s best for you will depend on your particular needs based on an evaluation by an experienced doctor.
Bruising
Most people, about 80%, do not experience bruising after a Restylane treatment; the other 20% experience some degree of bruising. Most of them have mild bruising, but a very few (one or two in a hundred) will form a black eye. The black eye takes two to three weeks to completely resolve, and this is a cosmetic concern without health dangers. Considering that Restylane will last over a year, the recovery process is very mild and comfortable even for these few. The few Restylane recipients who experience bruising usually feel that the short-lived bruise was worth the long-term results. It’s a good idea to obtain treatment at least three weeks before big events like vacations and weddings just 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, we strongly advise that you consult with the physician who prescribed it 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 fill in the hollows under your eyes very effectively. Your regular doctor and your cosmetic specialist can help you decide the best route to take.
What If I’m Pregnant or Breastfeeding?
There is no foreseeable complication that could be caused by Restylane, a naturally occurring sugar gel. It has proven itself to be very safe. The problem with using it to treat pregnant and nursing women is simply that we have no clinical information regarding the safety of this product in pregnancy and during lactation. Could Restylane cause a problem for your baby? This is unlikely. The sugar gel in Restylane occurs naturally in the body. Many medications and treatments are not advised for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers simply because they have not been tested, and probably will never be – this does not mean that they’re not safe. It simply means that ethical practitioners recommend that you don’t take any chances when it comes to untested situations. We recommend you wait until you wean your baby before undergoing cosmetic procedures. Fortunately, babies do not nurse forever, so you won’t have to wait too long for the long-lasting benefits of Restylane.
My Eyes Are Sensitive. Can I Still Benefit from Restylane?
This may sound paradoxical, but depending on the sensitivity you may be especially qualified for Restylane. If you have allergies, the likelihood of a reaction is extremely small but not quite zero (there is always some risk of a reaction to any medical procedure that introduces something new into the body) and can best be assessed by an oculoplastic surgeon. If your eyes are sensitive to things like hay fever, for example, and they become irritated or red easily, this aggravation may accentuate the hollows under your eyes. If you know you are prone to this appearance, a filler like Restylane will be very helpful, because during times of sensitivity, your eyes will look much better with treatment than without it.
Recovery Time
Many of Dr. Steinsapir’s patients resume their normal activities just after leaving the office. 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 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 that you don’t experience prolonged recovery after each filler service. This can be discussed when you have your initial consultation.
Can I Combine Restylane with Another Procedure?
Yes. Restylane can be safely combined with many procedures. Discuss your concerns with your physician. He or she will advise you about which procedures compliment Restylane treatments. Your doctor may advise you to come in on another day for certain procedures that are especially sensitive to changes in the treatment area, but there are many cases when Restylane can be appropriately combined with another procedure at once. Restylane is a simple outpatient service that can be done while you’re fully awake in the office after numbing cream has been applied to the treatment area.
Consult with a Doctor Who Cares
Dr. Steinsapir invented and published the Deepfill™ method for placing Restylane®. Deepfill™ method is used by thousands of doctors around the world to inject Restylane® safely in the under eye area. This method adds precision and certainty to the placement filler in this location making this minimally invasive method a true alternative to lower eyelid surgery for many people. Dr. Steinsapir is one of very few cosmetic surgeons who dedicate a major focus of his practice to treating dark circles and under eye hollows, making him particularly experienced and qualified as a specialist.
Contact us today for a personalized consultation with a caring physician who individualizes each treatment based on your specific concerns.