For a long time, the only injectable options for smoothing out facial wrinkles related to muscle motion were neuromodulators, which put the muscles at rest. Now, with RHA® at Portland’s The Waldorf Center, there is another effective treatment strategy.
Would you like to learn more about RHA® in Portland, OR? Contact The Spa at The Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery for more advice. Patients in Portland, Vancouver, Salem, or surrounding areas can call us at (503)-646-0101 to schedule a consultation.
RHA® BASICS
RHA® is a filler designed with motion in mind. The formula is both robust and resilient, providing revitalizing volume that stands up to the countless smiles, frowns, and other expressions you make each day. The problem with using hyaluronic acid-based fillers in high-motion areas has traditionally been a lack of natural movement. While gels are great at filling in creases beneath the surface, most of them are not so good at adapting to facial motion. Traditional fillers tend to be stiff and stay in one place. RHA®, however, excels in this area, which allows for a smoother, more youthful look without the drawbacks of appearing stiff with each laugh or conversation. The filler stretches and adapts to the most dynamic areas of the face, providing a gentle contour.
It is manufactured with fewer chemical proteins, modifications, and additional processes compared to many other products, making it a very pure and clean product. The filler is virtually undetectable regardless of facial movement.
THE BENEFITS OF RHA® FILLERS
RHA® integrates into tissue highly effectively and rapidly without undesirable swelling. The results appear instantly so patients can see their new look right away. If you don’t like your results, this filler is reversible.
CANDIDATES FOR RHA® FILLERS
RHA® is approved for patients aged twenty-two years and older. As it provides very subtle, soft, and natural-looking results, RHA® may be a good option for younger patients or individuals who are trying fillers for the first time. As with most hyaluronic acid fillers, results are temporary. However, as they are some of the longest lasting hyaluronic acid fillers available, RHA® fillers are ideal for patients seeking durable fillers that require fewer maintenance treatments. Not all skin laxity can be corrected with fillers so if sagging skin is your main concern, it may be better to consider skin tightening treatments instead.
RHA® FILLER TREATMENT AREAS ON THE FACE
Each type of filler in the RHA® collection is designed for different areas and treatments but all of them have been approved to reduce moderate to severe dynamic wrinkles and folds such as nasolabial folds and smoker’s lines around the mouth. The fillers can also be layered to treat deeper wrinkles as well as more superficial injections at the same time. RHA® fillers are commonly applied to the lower half of the face, but they are often used for off-label areas such as the lips, mid-face, under eye areas, accordion lines, and radial cheek lines.
YOUR RHA® CONSULTATION
The Waldorf Center team is always working to offer the most advanced treatments that have been rigorously tested for safety and results. With that in mind, we want to be sure that you understand how your treatment works—including what it can and can’t do—as well have all of your questions answered. RHA® is a newer option available, but we are prepared to provide thorough answers so you feel confident in your choice, as well as your appearance.
THE RHA® COLLECTION
There are several fillers to choose from in the collection, all made with a gentle process that results in an injectable hyaluronic acid that closely mimics the water-loving molecules found naturally in your skin. The fillers differ in terms of the amount of crosslinking in each. They each add a different amount of volume.
RHA®2
RHA®2 is ideal for nasolabial folds and other moderate wrinkles in active facial areas. This filler softens moderate to severe dynamic wrinkles such as perioral wrinkles or radial cheek lines. It may be suitable for patients who have radial cheek lines or those who would like to preserve a soft, natural look. It is best for more surface level softening and smoothing.
RHA®3
RHA®3 is better suited for deeper creases. This filler is designed to volumize lips and soften wrinkles around the mouth. RHA®3 can be beneficial for patients who would like to enhance the contour and fullness of their lips, reduce marionette lines and oral commissures, or would like to improve their appearance with a moderately robust filler that provides a natural look. It is indicated for injection into the mid to deep dermis.
RHA®4
This filler is designed for adding volume to improve facial contours. It can address more severe volume deficits such as deep lines in the lower face and is intended for patients who would like correction with a more deeply placed filler. This is the firmest of the fillers that is injected into the deep dermis and superficial subcutaneous tissue. For this reason, this filler is best for deep wrinkles and severe folds such as nasolabial folds and marionette lines. This filler can also build the structure of the chin and jawline. It can accentuate the cheekbones and enhance the symmetry of the jawline.
YOUR RHA® TREATMENT
Like all hyaluronic acid-based fillers, RHA® is introduced directly into the skin. Treatment sessions are brief and well tolerated. Anyone concerned about the feeling of their injections can have ice applied to the skin prior to the actual treatment. Topical anesthetics are not typically necessary, but feel free to ask about one if you feel it will improve your experience.
RECOVERING FROM RHA®
Common side effects include bruises at the injection site, as well as redness, an itching sensation, and minor discomfort for about 24 hours. In most cases, there is no downtime for this filler. It can take up to two weeks for the swelling to subside so that the final results can be seen.
RESULTS FROM RHA®
Volume added during the treatment will be visible as soon as it is injected. Despite sitting in high-motion areas, the fillers can be expected to last longer than a year. The collection is proven to be clinically effective and have a duration of up to 15 months. How long the results of RHA® last will vary from individual to individual. The longevity can also be affected by several factors such as where it is placed, your metabolism, and how your body responds to the filler.
OTHER INJECTABLE OPTIONS
The Waldorf Center also offers other dermal fillers, including Juvéderm® for enhancing the lips or restoring mid-face contours lost to age. The available neuromodulators for relaxing active muscles are BOTOX® Cosmetic and Jeuveau™. There is no one “right” solution for anyone who wants to get a more youthful-looking face. The best treatment will depend on the patient, with types of wrinkles, cosmetic goals, and a range of other variables taken into account. We pride ourselves on being a provider who customizes each experience to create the most natural-looking results possible in a safe and welcoming environment.
Ready to discover more about RHA® in Portland, OR? Contact The Spa at The Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery for more advice. Patients in Portland, Vancouver, Salem, or surrounding areas can call us at (503) 646-0101 to schedule a consultation.
*Patient results may vary