Restylane, long used to smooth deep wrinkles, may now be approved by the Food and Drug Administration to be used as a lip enhancer as well. However, not all doctors will wait for FDA approval before using Restylane for its new function.
The drug works by increasing the volume of facial tissue by injecting hyaluronic acid. Produced by bacteria, this acid remains in your body and works for up to six months. It was originally approved by in 2003 to smooth lines - such as the nasolabial fold - but has also been used more recently to plump up lips. Restylane and other injectable dermal fillers have been gaining in popularity in the US since they were first introduced into the market; in 2010, 1.2 million people received injections of this type.
If you would like to learn more about non-surgical treatments, contact our office to speak with a Westlake Village plastic surgeon about your options today.