Dermal Fillers Part 2: Hyaluronic Acid-Based Fillers (Restylane, Perlane & Juvéderm)

Welcome to Part 2 of Port City Plastic Surgery’s Dermal Fillers Blog Series! Last week in Part 1 we provided an overview to the series, including what areas of the face can be treated with dermal fillers, and the procedures Dr. Brian Widenhouse provides at his offices in Charleston, SC.

This week we will be discussing three popular hyaluronic acid-based fillers we offer at Port City Plastic Surgery:

• Restylane®
• Perlane®, and
• Juvéderm®

Restylane® and Perlane® are dermal fillers made of hyaluronic acid, a compound that occurs naturally in the skin but is normally lost as we age. They are non-animal sourced, so you won’t need to be allergy tested prior to receiving your injections.

Restylane® and Perlane® are the same chemically, but differ slightly in structure. Perlane® has slightly larger particles of hyaluronic acid, making it a good choice for wrinkles that benefit from a deeper injection into the skin. Restylane® has smaller, more delicate particles, and is preferable for injection closer to the surface.

Perlane® is more highly “crosslinked” than Restylane®, meaning it persists in tissues a bit longer. Restylane® flows more readily than Perlane®, making it the more natural-looking choice in areas where the skin is naturally thin, like the lips. For areas of the face where skin and fat are thicker – like the cheek, chin, and nasolabial fold – the firmness of Perlane® provides needed volume.

Dr. Widenhouse also offers Juvéderm®, a similar hyaluronic acid-based filler marketed by the makers of BOTOX® Cosmetic.

Results of hyaluronic acid fillers typically last for six months or more, and can be dissolved with a simple injection of hyaluronidase in the unlikely event of a lump or asymmetry.

Unlike many practices where dermal filler injection is trusted to nurses or aestheticians, at Port City Plastic Surgery only plastic surgeon Dr. Brian G. Widenhouse performs injections of facial fillers. He believes that all patients deserve personal treatment from a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Dr. Widenhouse is expert in the art and science of dermal filler injections: his years of experience and knowledge of facial anatomy ensure his clients get the results they desire. Visit our Dermal Fillers page for more information.

If you would like to discuss dermal filler injections with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Brian G. Widenhouse at Port City Plastic Surgery in Charleston, South Carolina.

Check the Blog again next week for Part 3 of our ongoing Dermal Fillers Series when we’ll be discussing the biostimulatory filler Radiesse!