5 0 C O S M E T I C B E A U T Y M A G A Z I N E C O S M E T I C B E A U T Y M A G A Z I N E

face

Restylane is a hyaluronic acid gel. Hyaluronic acidis a substance that naturally exists in the humanbody and its most important function is to carry

and bind water. It is found in the skin, joints, and eyes.Non-animal, stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA) doesnot contain any protein and does not require a skintest prior to treatment. Restylane is a form of NASHA.

Restylane is a filling substance designed fordifferent purposes and effects, from reducing wrinklesand folds to enhancing facial contours and sculptingthe lips. The use of filling agents such as Restylaneand other hyaluronic acid products is the growingsegment of the nonsurgical cosmetic proceduremarket. Restylane is produced by Q-Med of Swedenand distributed by Medicis in the US.

Prior studies have not completely addressed theunique issues encountered with the injection of fillingsubstances and products into the skin of persons ofcolor. This is the first study to focus exclusively on the results seen in persons of color when using thepopular cosmetic medical product Restylane.

In this pilot study, 10 self-identified African-Americanpatients had various facial areas treated withRestylane. The areas treated included the temples/

cheeks (acne scarring), glabella (between the eye-brows), nasolabial lines (cheeks along the nose to thecorners of the mouth), lips, and the marionette lines(from the corners of the mouth to the chin). Thepatients were followed for 12 weeks. All patientsreported they had good to excellent results. Nopatients had a history of abnormal scarring. Sideeffects included temporary swelling, bruising, andmild erythema (redness). These were seen in three ofthe 10 study patients. There were no lasting adversereactions seen including keloidal scarring, abnormalscarring, skin discoloration (hypo or hyper pigmen-tation), and granuloma formation.

This is the first report that demonstrates that thenon-animal, stabilized hyaluronic acid Restylane is asafe and effective product in African-Americanpersons of color. ‘We are proud to be involved in thefirst study to look exclusively at the results of Restylanetreatments in African-American patients. The patientswere thrilled with the results, and we observed nolong-term side effects or complications. This shouldgive other dermatologists the confidence to treatpatients of color, of course with careful monitoring,’says Dr. Crutchfield, the director of the study. cbm

The first exclusive study on the use of

Restylane in African-American patients

has been completed by Minneapolis

dermatologist Charles Crutchfield MD.

restylane study in african-american patients shows promising results

BEFORE AFTER Restylane by Dr. Crutchfield

BEFORE AFTER Restylane by Dr. Crutchfield

BEFORE AFTER Restylane by Dr. Crutchfield

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