Restylane and Perlane: What are they and who can benefit from using them?

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Restylane and Perlane are FDA approved hyaluronic acid fillers for the treatment of facial lines and folds such as nasolabial folds. Restylane was the first HA filler to be approved in the US in 2003. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring polysaccharide (sugar) found in the skin and joints. It is responsible for skin turgor (tone and “spring”) and it decreases from age and sun exposure, causing the skin to sink in and look older from the lines, folds and shadows. Restylane can be used for fine lipstick lines around the mouth when injected with a small needle. Although Restylane and Perlane are approved for lines and folds, both can also be used to re-volumize the cheeks, lips and temples and Restylane can be used to fill in under-eye hallowing.

Restylane’s strength is that it is very versatile and results in a very natural correction. Perlane is a larger particle HA filler that gives a bit more lift than Restylane. Both can be dissolved by hyaluronidase if any lumping or an adverse event occurs, making it a very safe and popular alternative for non-surgical rejuvenation. Restylane/Perlane patients can be as young as their early 20’s (usually for lip augmentation) or as old as their eighties (for fine lines around the mouth), but the usual the patient is between 30 and 60. When Restylane or Perlane is combined with Botox or Dysport (two FDA approved neuromodulators) the aging face can be softly and naturally reshaped without cutting or downtime. Both work well with many lasers as well.

Dr Lupo is a trainer for these fillers and serves on advisory boards. The new Restylane L and Perlane L are great additions to the filler options since they contain an anesthetic, lidocaine, to improve the patient’s experience by decreasing pain. Dr Lupo is asked to train physicians on the use of this product at meetings for the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society for Dermatological Surgery and the Cosmetic Boot Camp. She has taught the Tulane residents filler techniques since 1984.