Restylane & Juvederm BOTOX® Alternatives

Restylane and Juvederm are another type of dermal filler that is composed of hyaluronic acid rather than collagen. The goal of Restylane and Juvederm is to “plump up” and “fill out” wrinkles. Restylane and Juvederm have undergone extensive testing and have received FDA approval in the United States. Hyaluronic acid is an excellent biocompatible material that is quite desireable as a material for injecting. It allows skilled physicians to “sculpt” the shape and size of the tissue being treated. Hyaluronic acid has been used for over 25 years in eye surgery for the removal of cataracts due to its high level of compatibility with living tissue. In addition, hyaluronic acid injections are used in orthopaedics to help relieve knee pain and “bone on bone” friction that can occur with arthritis. Thus the use of hyaluronic acid has proven to be quite safe. Restylane and Juvederm are injected into the deeper fixed wrinkles pretty much anywhere on the face including the forehead, between the eyebrows, around the lips and in the crease between your nose and mouth. By “layering’ the injection, an experienced physician can achieve remarkable results in eliminating wrinkles. Each brand, Restylane and Juvederm has its own particular benefits in a given area and it is up to the doctor to choose which is right for you. The effects of Restylane and Juvederm may last from 3 to 12 months depending on the area and the amount injected.