The march of time is a relentless, inevitable thing, as are the marks that it leaves on one’s body as it passes by. Wrinkles and lines, facial folds and sagging skin are all telltale indicators of physical aging. Sooner or later, most people learn to accept these signs as part of a natural process. This does not mean, however, that the descent into a venerable elderly appearance has to be a rapid tumble. Cosmetic surgeons have worked hard to develop cutting-edge products that slow down the effects of aging, allowing a person to ease gradually into the later years while still maintaining the refreshed, vibrant look found on the young. One such product is Perlane, a dermal filler capable of softening and smoothing out the troughs and crevices that begin to appear on a person’s face.

Made by the same company that manufactures and distributes Restylane, Perlane is another hyaluronic acid-based gel product that is not synthesized from animals. Hyaluronic acid is a substance that occurs naturally within the body, and is responsible for maintaining the suppleness and smoothness of skin, due to its property of being able to retain amounts of water many multiples above its own volume. As people age, the hyaluronic acid in their bodies becomes depleted, and consequently, their skin manifests this loss in the form of wrinkles, grooves and a general decrease in smoothness and tautness. There is currently no procedure for permanently restoring the lost hyaluronic acid, but Perlane provides an effective temporary solution, returning skin to its former abundant state for anywhere between six to nine months, and sometimes up to a year, before the substance is gradually absorbed by the body. This is certainly preferable to collagen treatments, which must be repeated every three to six months. Another advantage of Perlane over collagen is that collagen tends to evoke allergic reactions of varying severity, itching and muscle pain, among other side effects, while Perlane avoids all of these adverse conditions, since it is a naturally-occurring element.

The main difference between Restylane and Perlane is that Perlane particles are larger and contain more hyaluronic acid. Thus, while Restylane is good for treating fine lines and surface deterioration, Perlane is recommended for deeper imperfections on thicker skin. Of course, Perlane is more expensive than Restylane as a result. Restylane is sometimes used as a touch-up chemical to maintain the initial transformation brought about by a Perlane treatment.

Perlane is administered into the body by being injected directly into the area to be treated. It is commonly used for correction of wrinkles, the reduction of worry lines, crow’s feet, marionette lines and smoker’s lines that develop around the mouth, severe nasolabial folds, and scars that are the remnants of acne. It is also a popular method for the enhancement of certain features that the patient would want to fill out or fatten up, such as the lips and the cheeks. Sometimes, when a person loses substantial weight, his face hollows out, giving him a gaunt, malnourished appearance. Perlane can be utilized to fill the depressions, restoring a healthy glow. Other less widespread but still significant uses for Perlane include enhancement of the areas under the eyes and temporarily raising the eyebrow region to give it more definition.

Perlane is perceived as a good alternative to Botox, as it does not paralyze muscles or cause numbness. It may actually be used as a complement to Botox, as the former restricts facial muscle movement, and Perlane fills out the fixed contour of the skin. Your cosmetic surgeon will be able to provide the best advice for how to go about your Perlane-based treatment.