The business of medical tourism
has been greatly enhanced thanks to overseas visitors
looking for plastic
surgery in Cape Town and demanding quick, no-fuss
beauty enhancements such as Perlane and Restylane face-,
lip- and eye
procedures as well as dermal fillers. Perlane and
Restylane are both naturally occurring substance derived
from hyaluronic acid, which becomes a viscous form that
is then injected directly into the skin. Since this
product is introduced to the top layers of the skin
[as opposed to Botox, which works on the underlying
muscles to tighten the face, binding muscle closely
together] it will literally fill and plump out wrinkles,
adding volume and much-needed moisture. The Hyaluronic
acid binds water and this instantly gives the skin a
fresher and more youthful look, hydrating the layers
to their original appearance. Thanks to this procedure
being relatively un-invasive, there is no underlying
effect on the muscles or facial expression.
Restylane is used to fill out the wrinkle lines, with emphasis on the eyelids, lips and nasal labial fold areas. The duration of these effects can last anywhere from three to six months. Yet when it comes to the Perlane treatment, the duration of the procedure results can last approximately a year or more. Perlane is primarily used for filling out the lips. It can also be used to alter any contour deformities of the face and to fill in the deep wrinkle lines such as the naso-labial folds and corners of the mouth.
Both of these procedures are office based and only take between 20 to 30 minutes to complete. The procedure works as such: a clear solution is injected into the skin, but only in tiny amounts and with an extremely thin needle. Once the Perlane or Restylane is injected, the vital components and nutrients [hormones, oxygen] distribute themselves amongst the fragments of the gel. This is when the skin begins to display the benefits of exposure to the compound. This procedure is absolutely safe and requires no pre-testing. There are very few side effects reported, but they do include redness, pain, itching and discolouration. These thankfully clear up mere hours after their initial inception. Most cosmetic surgeons in Cape Town are well versed in this procedure and can give you advice on how to avoid or minimise the impact of any related side effects.
Scheduling of follow-up Perlane and Restylane treatments are dependant on various factors. Age, weight, height and activity level all play a role in determining the amount of time that it takes for the effects of the initial treatment to wear off. Although, when it comes to wrinkles and facial contouring, most patients choose to have their elected follow-up procedure six to twelve months after their initial injections. For lips, a follow-up treatment is recommended every six months. Thankfully though, your surgery in Cape Town allows you the benefit of recovering in one of the most beautiful and tranquil cities in the world.