Restylane® in Houston, TX

If you’ve tried noninvasive skin treatments (chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laser resurfacing) to rejuvenate your skin and you want something stronger, but you aren’t ready for a surgical lift, an injectable dermal filler like Restylane at Alford Facial Plastic Surgery in Houston, TX can be the perfect solution. Restylane is a popular wrinkle filler based on stabilized hyaluronic acid (HA), a natural substance found in your body to improve skin elasticity and moisture. When Restylane’s HA-based gel is injected, it acts like an inflated cushion to support facial structures and tissues that may have lost volume or elasticity due to normal aging. It also attracts moisture molecules to the surface of the skin to hydrate the skin and keep it looking fresh and supple. Since each of the formulas of Restylane fillers varies in their targeted area of use, which includes smoothing wrinkles and sculpting lips, but all are safe and provide long-lasting results, double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene "Gene" Alford chooses the best formula for your needs and goals.

• Restylane has medium-sized particles, which are great to enhance both the upper and lower lips, reduce marionette lines, and minimize the corner crease of the lips.
• Restylane Silk is especially great for lip definition with finer particles that can be used on fine wrinkles and precise shaping.
• Restylane Lyft has larger particles that can be injected deeper into the skin to fill in more severe folds and wrinkles, plus it can add lift and volume to the mid-face for radiant, youthful cheeks.
• Restylane Kysse is a great option for providing smoother, more plump lips with results that can last for up to 12 months. Click here to learn more about Kysse. 

A typical Restylane treatment takes about 45 minutes and is performed in Dr. Gene’s Houston office. After cleansing and preparing your face, Dr. Gene will use ultra-fine needles to inject the Restylane into the chosen areas of the face. While a numbing cream can be requested, most patients tolerate the mild pain and discomfort of wrinkle filler treatments well. 

Some patients may want to take 1 – 2 days for recovery, but normal activity levels are safe immediately after your treatment. Any redness, swelling, or bruising is temporary and can be easily covered with makeup. You should follow up in 6 weeks at Dr. Gene’s office so he can assess your results and check for any signs of concern. Talk to Dr. Gene about how long you should wait before attempting strenuous activity or exercise.

Results of Restylane treatments can usually be seen immediately, but it may take a few weeks to see your final results. The length of your results will depend on which formula is used, where it was injected, and how much was used, but most patients see results for 18 months with Restylane, 12 months with Restylane Lyft, and 6 months with Restylane Silk. Dr. Gene can help you determine when to schedule your next treatment after your follow-up appointment.

A single treatment of Restylane, Restylane Silk, or Restylane Lyft cost will vary, depending on the amount of product that is used during the session. Dr. Gene can discuss cost estimates during your consultation based on your needs and cosmetic goals.

• Fine lines around mouth
• Fine lines around the eyes
• Lipstick lines (perioral lines)
• Lost lip volume
• Lost midface volume
• Marionette lines
• Moderate to severe wrinkles
• Smile lines
• Smoker’s wrinkles
• Tear troughs
• Undefined a cupid’s bow

Skin firmness can begin to decrease as early as your 20’s, but certain factors (like your genetics and natural aging) can determine how fast your skin elasticity and firmness decreases. Other factors (like sun exposure, smoking, environmental pollution, and more) can speed up facial aging. The Restylane family of products helps anyone who is concerned about facial aging and wants a smoother, more youthful appearance.

You should disclose your full medical history to Dr. Gene during your consultation to avoid any concerns or problems. Restylane should not be used on anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding, using blood thinners, has a known allergy to lidocaine or another drug. A small percent of patients may experience swelling, redness, itching, discomfort, and other mild, temporary symptoms for 7 – 18 days after their treatment.

Restylane injections can be used to compliment a lift surgery, like a facelift or brow lift, by adding volume after Dr. Gene removes excess skin for tighter, more youthful result. Restylane can also be used with Juvéderm®, Sculptra®, and BOTOX® to perform a liquid facelift. Restylane and Restylane Silk may also be combined with facial fat grafts for a nonsurgical facelift.