Tired of thin lips? Do you have one lip that is thinner than the other? Has age caused lines around your lips that make you look older than you feel? If you said “yes” to any of these questions, then Restylane Silk for lip augmentation could be the long term solution you’ve been looking for.
Whether you want really full, luscious lips or just want to add a little more pucker to your pout, you’ve likely tried over-the-counter lip plumpers or cosmetic contouring tricks that may produce results, but fade within a few hours. In some cases, you may have even tried lip plumping kits that involve suctioning to create temporary swelling of the lips; these kits not only don’t work well, they produce often exaggerated results and even cause tissue damage in many patients who use them. Overall, other methods of lip plumping don’t work well, but a dermal filler like Restylane Silk in the hands of a board-certified dermatologist can provide you with long-lasting, aesthetically pleasing lip enhancement.
Restylane Silk is an injectable dermal filler gel specifically formulated for lip augmentation and the correction of fine lines around the mouth. Like other dermal fillers, it is a clear gel formula made from hyaluronic acid, a substance that naturally occurs in your body. The difference between this formula and other Restylane fillers is that the Silk formula uses smaller particles to produce a smoother, more natural-looking result when injected into delicate lip tissue. This gives you all the plump without the intensity of “trout mouth.”
As Indianapolis’s premier dermatology and cosmetic surgery treatment center, the Laser and Skin Surgery Center of Indiana has provided exceptional care for patients in Indianapolis and the surrounding Indianapolis area since 1997. All cosmetic and aesthetic services are performed by or under the direct supervision of a board-certified dermatologist, dermatologic surgeon and clinical investigator Dr. C. William Hanke. Together with our caring and highly trained medical staff, Dr. Hanke will work with you to ensure your comfort, understanding, and results surrounding your cosmetic injectables treatment.
A highly trained medical professional under the supervision of Dr. Hanke will record your medical history and obtain a list of any medications and supplements you are taking. Dr. Hanke will then inquire about your expectation and desires to add volume to your lips or reduce the appearance of wrinkles around your mouth. If you and Dr. Hanke are confident that an injectable lip enhancement can produce your desired effects, the procedure will be thoroughly explained to you to ensure you’re comfortable proceeding with Restylane Silk.
After cleansing the area to prevent infection, the area will be numbed to prevent any discomfort during the procedure. Dr. Hanke will then inject small quantities of Restylane into your lips or the area around your mouth. The area may be gently massaged after the injection to distribute the dermal filler and mold it into position. Aftercare following a Restylane Silk injection is minimal, though follow-up appointments are recommended to ensure ideal results.
Whether you’re looking to enhance the look of your lips, improve symmetry or restore youthful fullness that has faded with age, Restylane Silk could be right for you. The best way to get your questions answered about whether or not a Restylane Silk treatment is right for you is during a consultation with Dr. Hanke. However, while you wait for your appointment date, these answers to frequently asked questions about Restylane Silk can help get you started.
The hyaluronic acid in the dermal filler treatment attracts moisture that’s present within your skin and binds it with water molecules to increase tissue volume. This causes your lips to look fuller while wrinkles diminish.
An ultra-fine needle is used to painlessly inject the product just under your skin. Small amounts are injected into multiple areas to produce precise results that look natural and improve symmetry.
Healthy adults over the age of 21 with thin lips or wrinkles around the mouth are typically good candidates for Restylane Silk lip enhancement treatments and other lip filler procedures such as Juvederm Volbella, from the makers of Botox.
Restylane Silk contains lidocaine to decrease discomfort, with most patients reporting little or no discomfort. However, a topical anesthetic can also be used if you’re anxious about potential pain. General anesthesia is not appropriate for this treatment.
Restylane Silk contains hyaluronic acid isolated from a Streptococcus bacteria, which has been chemically cross-linked with butanediol diglycidyl ether and suspended in phosphate buffered saline. It also contains 0.3% lidocaine, which acts as a numbing agent. The product is packaged in disposable one-mL sterile syringes.
The entire procedure usually takes less than one half hour, but treatment times vary depending on the patient.
You will begin to see results immediately, though you will also experience minor swelling that will dissipate over a few days. Almost all patients report visible improvement within 14 days of treatment.
Restylane Silk in lips typically produce favorable effects for up to six months or longer after injection. We recommend at least one touch up treatment each year to maintain and prolong results, but this varies from patient to patient.
No downtime is required. You may resume normal activities immediately after treatment. However, you will experience some minor swelling, so we don’t recommend getting this treatment right before a big event.
Pricing varies depending on the size of the area being treated, optional local anesthetic use, the frequency of treatments and experience of the provider administering treatment. Dr. Hanke and our team can give you a quote for cost surrounding your Restylane Silk treatment during your initial consultation.
Restylane Silk is not FDA approved for use in patients under the age of 21. Dermal fillers of all kinds should not be used by those who have a history of severe allergies, bleeding disorders or sensitivity to local anesthetics. It is also inappropriate for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Patients who are prone to cold sores may want to forgo treatment or discuss options for preventing breakouts after treatment such as oral or topical prescription antivirals.
The most common side effects are swelling, bruising, redness and mild discomfort at the injection site. Serious side effects are rare, but include infections or skin necrosis. Serious complications can be avoided by receiving treatment only from a board-certified dermatologist who has extensive experience with hyaluronic acid fillers.
The official website for Restylane Silk has numerous before and after photos. You can also find real patient results on RealSelf.com. To see photos of Dr. Hanke’s own patients, visit our own before and after gallery.
You can find out more and learn about real patient experiences during a consultation with Dr. Hanke in our Indianapolis dermatology clinic, or you can visit RestylaneUSA.com to find out more.