What is Perlane® used for?
Perlane® is used to smooth moderate to severe facial folds and wrinkles such as the lines from the nose to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial folds). Perlane® generally lasts for about 6 months. It has been found to be a safe dermal filler that restores volume and fullness to the skin.

How does Perlane® work?
Perlane® is injected into the skin with an ultra-fine needle. It plumps the skin to smooth away wrinkles and folds. Perlane®’s water-loving nature attracts and binds water molecules to help maintain volume. Perlane® is composed of hyaluronic acid, a natural substance that already exists in the body. The hyaluronic acid in Perlane® is a crystal clear gel that is chemically cross-linked (the long chemical strands are tied together) to delay breakdown by skin enzymes. Perlane® is non-animal-based and free from animal protein. This quality prevents disease transmission. Allergy pre-testing is not necessary.

How long does Perlane® last?
Perlane® is proven to deliver long-lasting results. Studies have shown that Perlane® effects generally last about six months as shown in the following graphs. Perlane® gradually disappears from the body without a trace.

Is Perlane® safe?
Perlane® has been used safely by dermatologists and plastic surgeons since 2000 worldwide. Perlane® was studied in multiple clinical studies resulting in high patient satisfaction. Side effects were mild. Most of the side effects went away in seven days. Perlane® did not cause allergic reactions.

Who should not use Perlane®?
Perlane® should not be used by people with previous bad allergies (particularly to certain microorganisms known as gram positive bacteria), to drugs that have required in-hospital treatment, or in people with bleeding disorders. Perlane® should not be injected anywhere except the skin or just under the skin.

What are some warnings to consider?
The use of Perlane® at sites with skin sores, pimples, rashes, hives, cysts, or infections should be postponed until healing is complete. Use of Perlane® in these instances could delay healing or make your skin problems worse. You may experience skin discoloration (bruising), swelling, redness, tenderness, pain, itching, or small lumps in the area where you are injected. If any of these events occur, the majority usually last less than seven days. If any symptom lasts longer than two weeks, call the skincare specialist who administered the Perlane® injection. Inflammatory papules (red or swollen small bumps) may rarely occur. You may need antibiotics to treat them.

What are some risks that may be experienced?
As with all procedures like this, the injection of Perlane® carries a theoretical risk of infection and formation of scar tissue. The safety and effectiveness of Perlane® have not been established in the treatment of lips, in nursing mothers, and in patients under 18 or over 65 years of age. Perlane® use in nursing could harm you or the nursing child. The use of Perlane® in African-American patients can result in hyperpigmentation (darkening of skin color), which may take several weeks to correct. If you have had herpes before, an injection can cause the herpes to come back. The safety of Perlane® used with other skin therapies such as laser, mechanical or chemical peeling, and hair removal has not been established. The use of Perlane® in these skin therapies may not work or they may damage your skin. You should avoid exposing the area(s) treated with Perlane® to excessive sun or UV lamps, and extreme heat and cold until any redness or swelling has disappeared.

What are the major side effects?
Rarely, the skincare specialist may inadvertently inject the product into a blood vessel, which can cause injury to the blood supply and damage to the skin. Rarely, a few people have developed infections of the gel that must be treated with antibiotics or other treatment. Infection of the gel may be hard to treat, but will always go away when the gel is absorbed.

What should patients do prior to treatment?
Perlane® requires no pretesting, but you should take a few precautions before being treated. Avoid using St. John’s Wort, high doses of Vitamin E supplements, aspirin, and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen prior to treatment, because these may increase bruising or bleeding at the injection site. Also, if you have previously suffered from facial cold sores, discuss this with your physician. He or she may consider prescribing a medication to minimize recurrence.

Do Perlane® injections hurt?
Perlane® is injected directly into the skin in tiny amounts by an ultra-fine needle. To help maximize your comfort, you should discuss the use of numbing medicines with your skincare specialist before treatment.

How much do Perlane® treatments cost?
Perlane® is a customized procedure based on your specific needs, so the cost will vary from patient to patient. In general, the cost of Perlane® is comparable to the cost of similar procedures. Because Perlane® is long lasting, it may prove to be very economical over the long term. Please ask your skincare specialist to give you an estimate of the cost.

What should I call my skincare specialist about after the treatment?
Most side effects like bruising, swelling, pain, tenderness, redness, and itching will usually go away within a week. Call your skincare specialist if you have persistent problems beyond 14 days. Blisters or skin sores may signal that you are having a recurrent herpes infection that should be treated. You can develop an infection that should be treated with antibiotics. If you experience redness, tenderness, and pain that does not go away you should call your skincare specialist.

What is the dose of Perlane®?
The amount used depends on your face and what you would like to have treated. The average patient who has all of the severe wrinkles around the mouth corrected will use less than half of a tablespoon.

Information obtained from www.restylaneusa.com