Skin filler treatment arrives in RP--and it's not botox

MANILA - All women dream of having a beautiful face and smoother skin, but are afraid to undergo cosmetic surgery.

Thankfully, a non-invasive, non-surgical and non-permanent alternative beauty treatment was developed-- and is tagged as the safe and natural way to beauty.

Restylane, a dermal filler originally from Sweden, was developed as a treatment to smoothen skin for around half a year.

The treament's active component is called NASHA or non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid. The material is commonly used for augmentation procedures.

NASHA are the same polysaccharides present in the human body that give volume to skin; shape to the eyes; reduces lines, folds and wrinkles; and creates fuller lips and elasticity to the joints.

This is injected into the body and through the process of isovolemic degradation, NASHA is broken down in the body. The compound progressively binds with water to maintain its effect.

When injected into the skin, it temporarily gives it a smooth appearance. Through NASHA injections, women could reportedly have the lips they'd been longing for or have their eyebags disappear.

It is reported to be long-lasting and safe. According to the company's official website, the injection pain is tolerable.

Procedure know-how

Jean Capistrano, Division Head of Q-Med, the official Philippine Distributor of Restylane, all the procedures for the enhancement are done in less than 2 hours.

Aside from the fact that the processes are all non-surgical, Capistrano said that offers an "immediate effect and a visible results that can last from 6 to 12 months." Restylane must be injected by a trained medical professional.

“Unlike surgery, Restylane, being non invasive and temporary, offers users the power to take control of their looks... [Restylane] is absorbed by the body over time with no risk of disfiguration," said Dr. Gary Bunagan, an Oculoplastic surgeon (a surgeon who deals with the eye area).

"This makes Restylane 100% safe and natural,” Bunagan said at the product's recent launch at Green Hills in San Juan.

“(The) products are ‘tissue tailored’ to ensure the appropriate dose and consistency for each specific treatment. This means versatility in treatments and cost since there is less injection volume needed per tissue layer,” he said.

Treatments reportedly cost from $425 to $525 (P19,554 to P24,155), according to various internet sources.

Though low-risk, some side effects of the treatment include bruising, redness of the skin, swelling, pain, tenderness and itching. Those who have severe allergies are discouraged from using the product.