Over time, different factors can reduce the youthful appearance of skin, especially on the face. These factors can include exposure to the sun, nutritional habits and genetics of the individual. Both Restylane and Radiesse are dermal fillers, which are used to enhance the skin, reduce wrinkles and rejuvenate the face. While both serve as a nonsurgical facelift option, they have different advantages and drawbacks, depending upon your budget, goals and the experience of your plastic surgeon.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are a nonsurgical treatment option to rejuvenate the face, sometimes called “liquid facelifts” because they give patients the option to combat signs of aging without going through a complicated surgical procedure. Fillers can give individuals more instant results that don’t require the longer recovery times that surgeries sometimes require. In some cases, facial fillers like Restaylane and Radiesse are used in conjunction with a surgical procedure to get a more precise augmentation of the facial appearance.
The dermal filler Restylane is a soft, colorless gel, which dissolves in about six months. Restylane is a hyaluronic acid, which are found naturally in our skin.
Using it can cause some swelling, numbness and bruising for a few days. Restylane is commonly used for lip enhancement, reducing wrinkles, improving areas around the eyes, adding volume to cheeks and adjusting the contour of the chin, nose and other parts of the face. It is also useful for revitalizing the skin, through increasing volume and skin elasticity. The duration of restylane can depend on the person’s age, lifestyle and skin type, but follow us sessions are recommended for six to 12 months after the initial treatment. Treatment on lips generally lasts less than six months.
Radiesse
Radiesse is also a dermal filler, but because it is calcium based, it can last longer than Restylane. It has the appearance of a soft, white paste. Radiesse has a longer lifespan, but is also harder to correct and shaping, making it a better option for more experience dermal filler injectors. In addition to its longevity, Radiesse provides greater structural support, which makes it more useful for eyebrow lifts, cheek augmentation and other procedures that require a more firm skin filler. Radiesse shouldn’t be used in the lips. Radiesse can also cause short-term swelling and bruising.
Restylane vs. Radiesse
Restylane can be easily and quickly dissolved, so that during treatment, plastic surgeons can remove filler instantly, allowing them to make fine adjustments. Restaylane and other hyaluronic acid fillers are generally less expensive than Radiesse. Unlike Restylane, which can be easily corrected, Radiesse is more permanent and less forgiving, making the experience level of the clinical injectors an import part of deciding whether or not to choose Radiesse.
If you’re in the Jacksonville area and have more questions about these nonsurgical facelift procedures, call (904) 274-4133 today to schedule an appointment with Dr. John Obi and learn more about the high-quality rejuvenation services at Jacksonville Plastic Surgery & MedSpa