Injection Perfection?
In the high-stakes, ever-evolving world of cosmetic dermatology, there’s a new kid in town. Restylane, a hyaluronic-acid skin filler recently approved by the FDA, is poised to give Botox and collagen a run for their money for the simple reason that blind studies have shown that its effects last 2-3 months longer than those of currently available products. Other pluses include the fact that Restylane is non-animal derived, keeping allergic reactions to a minimum and eliminating the need for time-consuming “skin tests.” Although some doctors have been experimenting with alternate uses for the filler. Dr. Emmanuel Robert Loucas, a leading authority on dermatological surgery who uses Restylane in his practice, suggests sticking to its FDA-approved use for eliminating nasal-labial folds, a.k.a. laugh lines, for now. “This is still a new product,” says Dr. Loucas, “and we simply don’t know as much about its long-terms effects as with products we’ve been using for years.”