Perlane®, a new injectable cosmetic filler by the makers of Restylane® is revolutionizing fillers. Perlane allows the patient to continue to make their favorite facial expressions while their wrinkles and facial folds are less noticeable. Most commonly used to soften wrinkles and facial contouring, Perlane supplements the body’s naturally produced supply of hyaluronic acid that gets depleted as we age. Since hyaluronic acid is not animal-based, there is no need for a skin testing and no chance of an allergic reaction. Perlane can be used in nearly almost every area in the face and is to smooth facial depressions as well as lip and chin augmentation. Plus, Perlane can be used to fill in the hollows under the eyes and soften the appearance of jowls. Perlane has been successfully applied as a temporary brow lift.
Because Perlane is biodegradable, it is not permanent. Perlane lasts about six months to a year, significantly longer than previous collagen treatments lasting only three to six months. Often in competition with Restylane, Perlane is composed of a larger-sized hyaluronic acid particle than prior generation fillers—an increased size that reaches deeper layers of the skin than even Restylane giving Perlane the advantage in staying power and the extra lifting power to address the treated area.
The whole procedure takes approximately 30 minutes on average, but depends upon the area treated and the amount of filler injected. Pain is minimal and there is usually a light anesthetic cream or a block applied to the surface area vs. general anesthesia or medications that induce a twilight sleep. After the procedure, the treated area may be slightly swollen and sometimes slight bruising results, but these after-effects are gone within a few days and there is no permanent scarring or damage. Dr. Picerno recommends that patients take Vitamin C consistently a few days before the procedure to dramatically reduce the healing time and as a method of preventing or significantly reducing any postoperative bruising.
