Frequently Asked Questions

Cosmetic Injectables
Perlane

What is Perlane?
Perlane is made from non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA) gel. This means that Perlane contains no animal products. Since hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in the skin and other tissue, there is no need for a skin test when using Perlane® filler.

The hyaluronic acid in Perlane supplements the body's natural supply, which becomes depleted with age. Perlane is biodegradable so its effects are not permanent. The results of a Perlane filler treatment tend to last six months to a year. This is much longer than the typical results of collagen injections, which may only last three to six months.

Perlane does not make you numb. Perlanesimply reduces the visibility of wrinkles and folds.

What Areas of the Face Can Be Treated with Perlane?
The hyaluronic acid in Perlane can be used to improve the contour of facial skin and to reduce wrinkles, folds, scars, and other facial skin depressions.

Common uses for Perlane filler include:

• Wrinkle correction
• Diminishing worry lines, smile lines, crow's feet, marionette lines at corners of the mouth, and smoker's lines
• Lip enhancement
• Reducing the severity of nasolabial folds
• Chin augmentation
• Filling cheek depressions
• Redefining lip border
• Softening acne scars
• Hand rejuvenation

Other, less common, uses for Perlane filler include:
• Filling hollows under the eyes
• Creating a temporary eyebrow lift
• Correcting facial depressions caused by fat loss
• Softening the appearance of jowls

When can one see the effects of Perlane injection?
The Benefits of Perlane treatments are usually noticeable after 4-8 months. Areas around the lips and chin may require more frequent touch up every 4-6 months, whereas other areas of the face may remain wrinkle free for 6-8 months.

What is the advantage of Perlane?
The big advantage of Perlane is that it is a non-permanent and natural treatment. The chemical contains a natural bodily chemical which fills up the skin like normal tissues. The modeling and contouring effects appear natural.

Is there any allergic test required?
Unlike injection of collagen there is no allergic testing required before injection. The product in Perlane is non animal and has no allergic tendencies.

How long is a treatment?
Perlane injections do not take long. The treatment is performed by injecting Restylane or Perlane under your skin. Since no pre-test is needed, your procedure can usually be done in less than one hour. Most injections can be performed within 30-45 minutes. Many patients like the added comfort provided when we apply an ice pack, while others prefer an anesthetic block. This makes the treatment relatively painless.

How will I look right after my treatment?
After our skilled board certified doctors' Perlane injections, normal activities can be resumed immediately. Discomfort is minimal. The treatment site may have a little swelling, which may last a few hours. There may be some slight bruising which can be covered with make-up. If the lips are treated, initial swelling and tenderness may occur within the first several days, but subsides after 2 - 3 days.

How long does Perlane last?
The effects of Perlane last twice as long as collagen- up to 6-8 months.

Does one need additional treatments?
Yes, Perlane is not permanent and repeat injections are required to maintain the wrinkle free face. Most individuals will require a repeat session once a year. If treatment is stopped, the wrinkles will re appear.

Is the injection painful?
Most individuals do not like needles but there is minimal pain associated with injection of Perlane. For those who are anxious about needles, the physician can apply a topical local anesthetic 20 minutes prior to the injections.

Is it safe?
Yes. Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the body and therefore it also dissolves naturally with time and is integrated into your body's tissues. The synthetic, biodegradable hyaluronic acid known as Perlane has been used in Europe and Canada for many years. It has the same 20 mg/cc strength of hyaluronic acid as Restylane; they just vary in gel particle size. This variability makes for tailoring of injections according to the depth of the wrinkles and desired lip enhancement.

What are Side Effects Perlane?
Perlane is generally a safe product. Because it is made up of hyaluronic acid (Which is also a normal component of the human body) the skin does not react adversely to the product. Reports of allergy or granuloma formation are rare.

What side effects have been reported with Perlane?
Studies from Europe where the product has been widely used indicate that side effects are rare. The most common side effects have been temporary redness, swelling, itching or tenderness. These side effects usually resolve in a few weeks.

What is the difference between Perlane and Botox?
Perlane is natural cosmetic filler. Botox is a drug that blocks nerve transmission and relaxes the underlying muscles. Many patients have been very pleased after receiving treatment with both products.

What is the difference between Perlane and Restylane?
Perlane is primarily the same product as Restylane but the major difference is that Perlane is a large molecule compared to Restylane, because it contains more hyaluronic acid molecules. This means that Perlane can easily fill in deep skin wrinkles, scars, and creases better than Restylane. Restylane on the other hand can be used to treat the finer lines in fair skinned people. Perlane is usually used for larger folds, while Restylane is better suited for smaller wrinkles or to maintain the results of a previous Perlane injection. Because of the differing levels of hyaluronic acid, Restylane is less expensive than Perlane filler.

What is the difference between Perlane and Juvederm Ultra Plus?
Perlane and Juvederm Ultra Plus are competitors and are designed to be an alternative to Restylane and Juvderm Ultra. Perlane and Juvederm Ultra Plus are thicker forms of a Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, and so are not permanent, and are used for deeper facial lines such as the Nasolabial folds (line from the nose to the lip sometimes called smile line) and marionette lines near the corners of the mouth.

Although the competing companies that produce these fillers each claim their product is the best our doctors have found them to be very similar. Both last a similar length of time with the first injection and depending on how deep the lines are one or two vials may be needed with each injection.

The Juvederm comes in a 0.8 cc syringe, the Perlane in a 1 cc syringe. In terms of volume Perlane contains nearly 25% more per syringe than Juvederm and this may factor into the cost as well. Our doctors would gauge which of them was more cost effective depending on how deep the lines are and how many syringes were needed with each injection to correct the folds.

Who performs the treatment?
In our clinic, Perlane injections are always performed by Board Certified physicians who are experienced in the field of dermal filler. All our physicians have had relevant training required to ensure that they perform the procedure with due care.

Who should do my procedure?
Because of the technical expertise required to do this procedure, without any mistakes, one should take care and select a board certified physician who is familiar with the technique and skillful. One should always ask if the physician is aware of the product and has undergone a training program with fillers. When there is easy money to be made, there is a bandwagon of people rushing to-do this procedure. So buyer beware whom you choose as your injecting physician.

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