Perlane

Perlane is a long-lasting gel that, once injected into the skin with an ultra-fine needle, will lift and add volume to the areas being treated. (Restylane and Perlane are essentially the same product. Perlane is simply a larger dosage). Similar to one of the body's own natural substances (hyaluronic acid), it is a completely safe treatment. The hyaluronic acid in Perlane simply supplement the body's age-depleted hyaluronic acid to plump-up the lip or to raise the skin and "fill in" the particular wrinkle being treated.

The effect of Perlane treatment will vary from individual to individual. It very much depends on factors such as the person's age and lifestyle, the structure of the skin, and the degree of perfection required. Most patients however choose to have a further treatment within a year since the hyaluronic acid in both products, being a natural substance, dissolves over time. Being larger in size, Perlane takes longer to dissipate than Resylane.

Restylane

Restylane, the treatment to smooth wrinkles and enhance lips without resorting to surgery, is now available in the UK from Q-MED (UK) Ltd.

Restylane consists of Non-Animal, Stabilised Hyaluronic Acid. Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the body, but after the age of twenty-five the body slows down production, causing facial lines, folds and wrinkles. Restylane replenishes the skin's hyaluronic acid, enhancing lips and smoothing out lines and wrinkles, thus helping to erase the signs of ageing. The treatment takes approximately fifteen minutes, results are immediate and the effects can last up to one year.

Because hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the body and is present in all living organisms it means that once in the skin, it works together with the body's own hyaluronic acid and joins forces to create volume. Furthermore, because Restylane is natural, no pre-testing is required and it can be administered without fear of transmitting diseases from animals.

All injections are administered by authorised medical personnel and a consultation is first required to establish the patient's needs. Restylane is injected under the skin with a very thin needle (the width of a human hair). The injections may prick a little but normally no anaesthesia is needed for wrinkles and folds. For the more sensitive an anaesthesia cream or dental block is normally applied 45 minutes prior to the treatment.

Developed over a ten year period in Sweden by Q-Med AB, Restylane contains hyaluronic acid in the form of a crystal clear gel so it is naturally integrated into the tissue and allows for the free passage of important nutritive elements like oxygen and glucose. Cells are also able to pass between the fragments of the gel, the result is healthy skin during all the time Restylane is in the body.

Restylane received its European Certificate in 1996. Q-Med AB is a highly sophisticated biotech company founded in 1987 by Dr. Bengt Agerup, who has spent decades in extensive research into hyaluronic acid. Before founding Q-Med AB, Dr Agerup was Vice President and Director for Research & Development at Pharmacia in the ophthalmology division where he first began to work with hyaluronic acid.