Restylane Silk

Restylane Silk released last month by Galderma is the newest filler added to an already crowded market of injectables in the market that makes seeing an experienced injector all the more important in being assured the correct product is being matched for what your aesthetic needs are.  At first glance Restylane Silk appears very similar to its predecessors of Restylane and Perlane from Galderma as well as Juvederm and Voluma from Allergan in the fact that they are all Hyaluronic Acid (HA) fillers. Hyaluronic Acid is a naturally found component found in skin just like Collagen and Elastin, but is easier and more cost efficient to be artificially created without resulting in an allergic response when placed in patients.  However, when looks deeper Restylane Silk is very different in the fact that it’s HA particle size is smaller than the above mentioned fillers, resulting in being the first and only filler FDA approved for lip enhancement and correction of perioral fine lines.

Why is smaller (not bigger…) better? Because the smaller HA particle size results in a thinner consistency, thereby allowing the injector to place Restylane Silk very superficially in the skin of fine lines, or mucosa of the lip without beading/induration of the skin (i.e. “lumpiness”), or excess fullness of the lips.  The FDA clinical trials revealed a 6 month or greater duration of results, thus resulting in the above noted FDA approval.  I have been fortunate to be one of a handful of physicians invited to Galderma’s launch of Restylane Silk held in Dallas in which a full day was devoted just to this product’s qualities and unique injection technique, and also one of the first to officially be able to use it in Atlanta, and have found the results nothing short of fantastic, with patient feedback being the same.

 

Lip Enhancement

Notice Restylane Silk is for lip “enhancement”, not “augmentation.”  Restylane Silk allows for re-establishment of the volume lost over time resulting in YOUR natural lip, NOT someone else’s.  The previous fillers being much thicker required them being injected much deeper in the lip, commonly resulting in over correction, especially with inexperienced injectors that didn’t know when enough became too much (we all know that look too well)!  Restylane silk is injected just below the thin mucosa of the lip, not into the muscle, and as a result flows easily in this plane creating a natural youthful look.

Screen Shot 2015-02-05 at 12.58.16 PM

Screen Shot 2015-02-05 at 12.58.35 PM

 

Perioral Fine Lines

Correction of fine lines is one of the most difficult aesthetic concerns to correct.  No matter what is used a “home run” is rarely achieved since many of these lines are lines of motion which are best corrected with a Neurotoxin e.g. Dysport/Botox, but it’s difficult to talk and eat in that situation….  Deep Chemical Peel (i.e. Hetter Peel) and Dermabrasion have always been the gold standard giving us a “tiriple”, but with some downtime during the healing phase.   Previous injectables normally yielded a “double”, but sometimes risked yielding a full or “ducky” lip as a compromise for correction of fine lines.  However, but don’t be dejected sports fans for a double or triple is usually achievable now without much if any real downside except for swelling for 1-2 days!

Screen Shot 2015-02-05 at 12.58.43 PM

 

Dr. Burke Robinson is a National Trainer for many fillers including Restylane Silk, and offers the full complement of Filler options for his patients at his Atlanta-area offices.  He works with his patients to assist them in determining which treatment one(s) will meet their needs best. To learn more about injectable cosmetic treatments, contact Robinson Facial Plastic Surgery at 770-667-3090.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/galderma-launches-restylane-silk–first-and-only-fda-approved-filler-indicated-for-lip-enhancement-and-treatment-of-perioral-lines-300027638.html

http://www.allure.com/beauty-trends/blogs/daily-beauty-reporter/2015/01/restylane-silk-fuller-lips.html