Joshua Zeichner, MD

I personally prefer to use Restylane to treat hollows under the eyes.  Witout much movement in this area, products tend to last longer (as compared to areas like the nasolabial folds, where there is a lot of movement). Restylane may last more than a year when placed under the eye. 

Radiesse tends to last longer than Restylane in the skin.  In the nasolabial folds, Radiesse can last longer than a year.  So if place under the eyes, Radiesse will likely last even longer.

Unlike the hyaluronic acid fillers (like Restylane / Perlane / Juvederm), which can be removed wtih an enzyme called hyaluronidase, there is no eraser for Radiesse.  The best treatment for overfilling with Radiesse is a tincture of time.  Over months to years, your body will remove the product itself.

Restylane, Perlane, and Juvederm are all comprised of hyaluronic acid.  Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occuring molecule in the body.  An allergic reaction to the product is exceedingly rare, however, reactions have been reported.  In the event that there is a question of a reaction, you should follow up with the doctor who gave you your treatment.  An enzyme called hyaluronidase can be used to remove the product if necessary.

As we age, the fat and soft tissue in our faces redistributes and atrophies.  This translates into the face becoming longer and thinner and loss of youthful roundness or heart-shaped appearance.  Initially, these changes are very subtle, and they continue as we age.  This may look to you as a hollow appearance or it can look like loose skin.  The best thing to do is to make an appointment to see your dermatologist or plastic surgeon for an in-person consultation to assess what the best option is for you.

Skin oil, known as sebum, is our body's own natural skin moisturizers.  Sebum is produced by sebaceous glands in the skin and lubricate the hair follicles.  Oil production is determined by our hormones, so we can not easily  control how much we produce.  While some lasers, such as Fraxel or other fractionated resurfacing lasers, may improve the tone and texture of the skin and possibly make pores appear less apparent, they do not lessen oil production in the skin.  The only medication that has been shown to give a long term reduction in oil production is the oral acne medication isotretinoin.  If you have severe acne along with oiliness, this may be an option.  If the skin is just oily, the use of oil-free moisturizers, toners, or salicylic acid washes or gels may be an appropriate first step to help remove excess oil from the skin.

It is difficult to assess the cost to significantly improve lines around the cheeks without an in-person consultation.  Prices for the products vary.  In New York City, the cost for a syringe of Restylane or Perlane ranges from $650-$900 depending on where you go and what product is used (Perlane is more expensive).  While patients can get immediate volume improvements, it often takes several treatments over time to get maximal results.  It is important to determine whether the issue is due to loss in volume in the face, for which fillers are ideal, or if it is more of a skin texture issue, for which a laser resurfacing procedure may be best.  Often times a combination of both is necessary for the best possible result.