Pucker UP! The Restylane® Silk Report

by on Tuesday, August 18th, 2015 with

PUCKER UP: My Adventures With Restylane® Silk

Stacy Cox

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Restylane® Silk. However, the thoughts and opinions are my own.

When the topic of lip injections comes up over the course of conversation, it instantaneously brings to mind Goldie Hawn’s character in the movie the “First Wives Club.” Remember when she visits her doctor’s office and walks out with a fish lip pucker that made us all chuckle? Well that movie hit theaters in 1996, and thanks to modern science no one needs to stress too much about winding up with a similar outcome especially if you’re entrusting your face to a licensed practitioner well versed in using an exciting new lip filler called Restylane® Silk.

It’s an anticipated new entry into the “injectables” category. Restylane Silk is the first and only FDA approved product for lips and the lines around them in patients over 21 years old. It’s intended to create a natural looking outcome around our lips and mouth when the fine lines and loss of volume finally reach a boiling point that rallies you to take action. Well, this is what occurred with me this summer. I reached this point and wondered where I should turn for advice and support. Then due in one part to magic and the other part to the me being a 16 year beauty expert, an email arrived on July 7^th that had me uttering the word… “Bingo” when I opened it. I was being invited to attend a Galderma Brunch (Galderma is the pharma company responsible for Restylane Silk). In the invite they explained the whole point of this type of injection is to “gently restore natural-looking lip volume, while also defining the lip shape and smoothing fine “barcode” lines around the mouth.” They explained that at this event, a few bloggers would be able to experience the treatment in exchange for writing about our experience before and after. I felt like that annoying student in class who rocketed her hand up when she knew the answer to the question with that whole “Pick me, pick me” energy. It was exactly like that. Well the good news is Gladerma did “pick me” and on July 15^th in front of lots of highly regarded fellow bloggers I received the Restylane Silk injections from Dr. Whitney Bowe. Was I nervous? Did it hurt? What did I look like immediately following the treatment? Did I bruise? How long before it looked exactly the way the doctor and I mapped out in our conversation/consultation? Would I do it again? Ladies, I know these are all your very relevant questions as you assess this to determine IF a Restylane Silk appointment is in your near futures. I get it. So lets take it one question at a time.

Was I nervous? No, actually nerves never entered into this equation. I think it’s because I was truly ready to make a positive change to my appearance. So my excitement out weighed any sense of nervousness. Dr. Bowe was a pillar of strength. She was super easy to connect with. She explained the treatment to me thoroughly. She tried to see herself through my eyes and understand exactly what around my lip line I wanted to improve and add volume to. Dr. Bowe was a great listener and my results are a direct correlation to this.
Did it hurt? Well sure I’d much rather get a massage any day compared to a Restylane Silk treatment, but in the able hands of Dr. Bowe I’m guessing I experienced the least possible discomfort possible. She and her nurse took time to numb the area around my mouth minimizing any pain I felt during the injections. They gave me this little squeezy ball to hang onto as it was all going down. Yes I could still feel the injection, however the numbing cream greatly minimized the overall sensation so that it was quite bearable.
What did I look like immediately following the treatment? I assure you, no fish lips on this girl! Of course there was immediate swelling in and around my mouth but I could tell right away that as soon as the swelling dissipated, it would all balance out and be at a level that was natural and I would welcome.
Did I bruise? I’m sure everyone is different as far as bruising is concerned. As it turned out I did bruise a bit, mostly on my upper lip. I watched it carefully and it wound up taking me about 7 to 8 days to completely fade away. No one said anything to me like “hey how did you bruise your lip?” For me, it wasn’t a big deal.
How long before it looked exactly the way the doctor and I mapped out in our conversation/consultation? I would say it took about 10 days for my results to match my initial conversation and consultation with Dr. Bowe. This all felt reasonable to me and was exactly what she prepped me for. No surprises.
How long will it last? Restylane is a unique formulation of Hyaluronic Acid that will help maintain the fullness for up to 6 months.
Would I do it again? 100% emphatically I’m telling you “yes.” It’s a subtle difference around my lip line/mouth but I think bigger picture, this was all that I needed. My cupid’s bow appears a bit fuller. The corners of my mouth are slightly tipping up VS down which they naturally tend to do and I don’t care for this. And overall my lips look lush and plump. And I’m not tempted to overdraw my lip line with my lip pencil. This is something I had recently been guilty of when applying my makeup.
Confidence? This is just my personal opinion, however… this subtle change has amplified my confidence quite a bit. I feel like my face looks more balanced and proportioned. It was exactly what I needed. A little pick me up.

TO FIND OUT MORE:

http://bit.ly/1QQvBRI (great before and after photos are available to look at)

Important Safety Information

Indications: The Restylane family of products includes Restylane^®, Restylane-L^®, Restylane^® Silk, Restylane^® Lyft with Lidocaine, and Perlane^®. Restylane, Restylane-L, Restylane Lyft with Lidocaine, and Perlane are indicated for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds. Restylane and Restylane–L are indicated for mid-to-deep dermal implantation. Perlane and Restylane Lyft with Lidocaine are indicated for implantation into the deep dermis to superficial subcutis. Restylane Silk is indicated for submucosal implantation for lip augmentation and dermal implantation for correction of perioral rhytids in patients over the age of 21. Restylane Lyft with Lidocaine is also indicated for cheek augmentation and for the correction of age-related midface contour deficiencies in patients over the age of 21. Restylane and Restylane-L are also indicated for submucosal implantation for lip augmentation in patients over the age of 21.

Products in the Restylane family contain traces of gram-positive bacterial protein and are contraindicated for patients with allergies to such material or in patients with severe allergies that have required in-hospital treatment. These products should not be used by patients with bleeding disorders or by pregnant or breastfeeding women. Restylane and Restylane-L for lip enhancement and Restylane Silk should not be used by people under 22 years. Restylane-L, Restylane Silk and Restylane Lyft with Lidocaine should not be used by anyone with a known allergy to lidocaine. Products should not be injected anywhere except the dermis, superficial subcutis (Perlane and Restylane Lyft with Lidocaine only), or lip submucosa (Restylane, Restylane-L, and Restylane Silk only).

Use of products in the Restylane family at the site of skin sores, pimples, rashes, hives, cysts, or infection should be postponed until healing is complete. The most commonly observed side effects are swelling, redness, pain, bruising, headache, tenderness, and itching at the injection site. These are typically mild in severity and typically resolve in less than 7 days. Serious but rare side effects include delayed onset infections, recurrence of herpetic eruptions, and superficial necrosis at the injection site. Do not implant into blood vessels. Use with caution in patients recently treated with anticoagulant or platelet inhibitors to avoid bleeding and bruising.

The Restylane family of products is available only through a licensed practitioner. Complete Instructions for Use for Restylane, Restylane-L, Restylane Silk, and Perlane are available at www.RestylaneUSA.com. Complete Instructions for Use for Restylane^® Lyft with Lidocaine is available at www.RestylaneLyft.com