Reduction of Forehead Lines with Restylane
The forehead plays a role in expressing emotions and showing signs of aging. Folds and creases appear on the forehead when a person is frowning, angry, or even surprised. Constant movement on this area can cause the lines and wrinkles to become permanent, thus eradicating the smoothness of the skin complexion.
The lines that appear on the foreheads can be categorized into dynamic wrinkles and static wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles are usually caused and formed by muscle movements in the forehead.
Static wrinkles, however, are permanent lines and wrinkles that appear even when there is no forehead muscle articulation. Other than repetitive movements, the skin loses its elasticity from constant exposure to the sun, pollutants, certain dietary habits, and smoking. This condition can be corrected using dermal or cosmetic fillers that utilize hyaluronic acid (HA).
HA fillers for forehead lines
Hyaluronic acid is a common substance in the body. Indeed, it is a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan that is abundant in the extracellular matrix of young skin. With strong affinity towards water molecules, it attracts moisture that helps to hydrate and volumize the area. With this hydration, the connective tissue can become firm with a sturdy collagen and elastin network.
Unfortunately, a majority of the concentration of hyaluronic acid diminishes once a person enters adulthood. When this occurs, the skin loses volume and begins to have a dull looking complexion. The dermis is also not resilient enough and folds within itself, creating permanent lines.
Although other implants introduce collagen directly into the skin, the improvements from such a mechanism of action were either too short or unsatisfying. Following this, researchers have found a way to extract and deliver safe and biocompatible HA into the body using Restylane.
Restylane, the potent HA dermal filler
Restylane is a family of HA dermal fillers that contains a clear, colorless, nonmutagenic, and nonimmunogenic gel. It was the first brand to produce a stabilized, non-animal HA filler that can function similarly to the body’s own HA. This gel is used to rejuvenate and revive the skin and has become a go-to aesthetic product worldwide.
The HA used in the Restylane gel is sourced from the fermentation of Streptococcus bacteria and is further processed using 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE), a reticulating agent, via Restylane’s NASHA Technology. This gel is a firm yet cohesive 20mg/ml cross-linked HA gel that can sustain its effect(s) in the skin longer than generic HA. Some Restylane products may last for six months or even up to 18 months, depending on the area and the metabolism of the individual.
Restylane’s influence on aging skin can be exceptional, as it can provide impressive improvement with only a low dose. The superficial injection is quick and may take as little as less than an hour to complete. It is effective in filling the larger wrinkles and folds that may not or cannot be fully treated by Botox, as the HA adds volume to the layer.
Ideally, there should be no overcorrection, as the gel can fix itself to the neighboring tissues and adds volume on its own. To have a more natural-looking outcome, gently massage the area after the treatment, and apply an ice pack to reduce any swelling.
Younger patients aged 40 and below can seek out skin boosters such as Restylane Vital to revive the elasticity and tone of the skin. For deeper folds, patients can undergo repeat treatments of Restylane every three to four weeks in the first month. Practitioners may repeat the treatment every six to nine months on their patients to maintain their results for a longer period of time.
Conclusion
HA dermal fillers are effective tools for facial restoration, especially when it comes to removing forehead lines that are not or cannot be fully treated with Botox. It introduces a biocompatible compound that can integrate into the skin without causing severe adverse effects. Although the effects are temporary, satisfied patients can opt for maintenance treatments.
