Posts tagged Restylane

Many people are talking about the so called “pillow face” that many Hollywood starlets seem to have these days.  Pillow face refers to someone who appears to have too much hyaluronic acid filler such as Restylane, Juvederm or Sculptra.  This is simply a case of too much of a good thing. Volume is one of the hallmarks of youth.  Fillers can can restore volume in areas of the face in which it has been lost with age such as under the eyes, the cheeks, the temples and lips.  A skilled physician with many years of experience injecting fillers can administer them in such a way that the patient looks rested and more youthful.  When fillers are used appropriately and in moderation, they are not apparent.  In fact, they look natural and the “pillow face” can be avoided.

It seems more people are talking about how Madonna looked while performing on the Super Bowl, than they are about the actual performance.

Madonna definitely looks younger than her 53 years, and while recent articles have attributed her flawless skin to fractional laser resurfacing, this is probably just part of the regimen she uses.

Fractional laser resurfacing is most effective for the treatment of brown “sun spots” and fine wrinkles.  Unlike traditional laser resurfacing, in which the entire outer layer of skin is removed, fractional laser resurfacing involves the use of a laser to deliver treatment to only a fraction of the skins’s surface at each session. This is accomplished by delivering energy in a grid-like pattern, leaving healthy untreated skin between treated areas.  Patients can resume their normal activities within a few days, but several sessions are required to achieve satisfactory results. 

Madonna is also probably treated with a botulinum toxin such as Botox® , Dysport™, or Xeomin.  When administered by an expert, these drugs help us look more youthful and rested by relaxing certain muscles to reduce the appearance of wrinkles or to shape our face,. They are best known for their effectiveness in relaxing the vertical lines between the eyebrows, the horizontal lines on the forehead, the “crow’s feet” lines around the eyes, the “smokers’ lines” around the mouth, and vertical and horizontal lines on the neck. However, they are also used to elevate the eyebrows, correct the downturned corners of the mouth, correct a “gummy” smile and relax the “bunny lines” that occur at the base of our nose.

As we age, our faces lose volume and fullness which is the hallmark of youth. Madonna’s full cheeks suggest she has also been treated with a temporary filler such as  Juvederm™, Perlane® or Restylane®.  These products are made from hyaluronic acid (HA).  HA is a naturally occurring sugar found throughout our bodies in the skin, eyes, kidneys and other areas.  Because they are manufactured in a scientific laboratory, and not isolated from animal or human tissues, they convey no risk of infection or allergic reaction.  These products are administered as a gel and help correct signs of volume loss such as hollowness beneath the eyes, heavy lines between the nose and upper lip, loss of fullness in the cheeks, thinning of the lips, vertical lines on the upper and lower lips, loss of projection of the chin, and downward turning of the corners of the mouth.

If you want a younger, more rested look, seek the advice of an experienced, board-certified specialist in oculoplastic surgery, facial plastic surgery, general plastic surgery or dermatology.  However, do not rely on certification alone.  Make certain you ask how many treatments the doctor has administered.