Quincy, Illinois doctor offers alternative wrinkle treatment ...

QUINCY, Illinois - April 11, 2004 (Quincy Herald-Whig).

A Quincy doctor is offering a less costly and more effective alternative to collagen injections to treat facial wrinkles.

A product called Restylane, approved by the FDA in December, is a natural gel that is injected into the skin using a very fine needle. The gel lifts up and smoothes out the wrinkles, providing immediate results.

"We have a long experience with filler materials, going back 20 years to collagen injections," said Dr. Richard Shatz, a plastic surgeon who practices at 1135 Broadway. "Restylane and other newer fillers that will be coming out in the next few years will likely replace collagen altogether. It's less expensive and lasts longer."

The most common areas treated are the lines between the eyebrows and the folds from the root of the nose to the angle of the mouth.

"It's also good to fill in vertical lines around the lips that people get as they get older," Shatz said. "Women hate those because their lipstick bleeds up into it."

The treatment takes about 20 to 30 minutes. The results will last at least six months, compared to a collagen injection which will require a touch-up in just six to 12 weeks, Shatz said.

Another advantage of Restylane over collagen is that it eliminates any risk of animal-based disease transmission or allergic reaction. Collagen is derived from animal protein, but Restylane is made with hyaluronic acid, a natural substance already present in the body.

"Collagen is known to have occasional allergic reactions, and no allergic reactions have been reported with this (Restylane)," Shatz said. "This has been studied for a long time. It's been used in Europe and Canada for several years, and you don't hear any major problems with this stuff."

Patients seem to like the product.

"It's extremely well received and people really like it," Shatz said. "This is a maintenance procedure. People who don't want to do things that are invasive, this can forestall things like facelifts and deep chemical peels and laser resurfacing.

"It's another option, and it's a good one," he added. "It's addressing wrinkles not easily treated by other methods of plastic surgery."