Question On Restlyane Injections From North Palm Beach

Sometimes the results of cosmetic procedures aren’t everything the patient hopes for. In these situations, other options may need to be explored. This may be the case with our Atlantic Coast Aesthetics Question of the Week, which comes to us from North Palm Beach. The patient asks, “I had Restylane injected on my tear trough on May 4, 2016. I was told it would last for 9 months. But contrary to what I was told, it only lasted for a week. I work out every day (Zumba) for an hour. Does my workout have anything to do with my filler’s disappearance?”

Dr. Pane observes that injections into the tear trough and certain other areas are very tricky to do correctly. This is in part because of the small area and level of precision required to accurately target the injection. While they are far from impossible to perform, a high degree of caution is necessary to ensure the injection performs as intended. An injection that is improperly placed or performed could create a number of problems for the patient, one of the less serious of which is the possibility that the injection may not deliver the anticipated results.

When one surgeon examines another’s work after the fact, there is often no way to say with any certainty what exactly went wrong. Dr. Pane notes that the patient’s exercise regimen is unlikely to be the cause of the problem in this situation. It is more likely that the initial swelling from the Restalyne injection was taken as the final effect, or that the injection was performed improperly, missing the tear trough and injecting the filler nearby instead of in the target area. In either event, the Restalyne is unlikely to have stopped working so soon after the initial injection.

In this situation, Dr. Pane suggests an in-person evaluation and comparison of before and after photographs to get a sense of what the initial problem and expected results were. Some patients do not respond to Restalyne or other fillers in the expected way, while others may find that some fillers are better than others for achieving the desired effect. Restalyne is generally well-tolerated, but every patient is different and a treatment that delivers great results for one person may offer minimal or no results for another. For this reason, only a clinical evaluation can accurately determine what the problem is and suggest the proper corrective action.

Filler injection procedures depend greatly upon the skill and capability of the surgeon delivering them as well as the patient’s tolerance for the filler. However, the patient’s expectations concerning the filler and why the filler was being placed to begin with are also factors that must be considered. Some medications may interact with Restalyne or other fillers, which is another reason why a clinical examination of the patient and the patient’s medical records including any medications is an important step in determining why the Restalyne injection appeared not to work as intended.

Redness, swelling and tenderness at the injection site are common side effects of Restalyne. These are generally mild to moderate and well-tolerated by most patients. Usually the side effects subside within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, the full effects of Restalyne and other fillers may not be seen for a few weeks to several months, making the establishment of reasonable expectations concerning the performance and results from the fillers all the more important.

As with any cosmetic surgery procedure, aftercare at and around the injection site is also a vital factor in ensuring the best possible outcome from the filler. Following all surgical staff recommendations and avoiding things that may irritate the injection site can help minimize the risk of side effects and maximize the results. These may include environmental factors such as allergens, direct sunlight and cigarette smoke, as well as habitual factors such as alcohol consumption.

If you would like to learn more about cosmetic surgery options, ACA and Dr. Thomas Pane are happy to answer any questions you may have. Simply follow us on Twitter and/or Facebook, call us at (561) 422-4116 or email us at https://acplasticsurg.com. Your question could be answered live on a Google Hangout by Dr. Pane himself, allowing us to educate other patients while helping you understand your options for finding the beautiful look you’ve always wanted! Remember, the only bad question is the one you don’t ask, and you can help other patients learn about their options at the same time. Everyone wins, starting with you!