THE RHA COLLECTION
Fill Hollows, Plump Lips, and Smooth Dynamic Wrinkles with an Adaptable, Hyaluronic Acid-Based Dermal Filler in St. Louis
It is no exaggeration to say that the RHA® collection changed what is possible to accomplish with injectable dermal fillers. Before the introduction of the RHA collection, fillers were used primarily for adding volume to facial areas that had thinned or sunken due to age-related volume loss. Wrinkles related to muscle movement required a different approach, since volume-adding gel was not well-suited for high-motion areas or their related "dynamic wrinkles.” The RHA collection at St. Louis' West County Plastic Surgeons is made up of the first hyaluronic acid-based injectable fillers that can treat the motion-related lines that develop as muscles repeatedly contract and crease the skin over years and decades.
Want to discover more about how a minimally invasive treatment can transform your face? Schedule a consultation for the RHA® collection at St. Louis' West County Plastic Surgeons by calling (314) 996-8800 or requesting a consultation.
What Is the RHA® Collection?
Put simply, the RHA® collection is a suite of dermal fillers specially designed to address the physical changes caused by a gradual breakdown of hyaluronic acid and collagen in the skin coupled with decades of repetitive muscle movements. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a sugar molecule that is especially good at attracting and binding to water. When there is plentiful HA in the skin, this water-loving property keeps the layers hydrated and the surface looking full and smooth. Skin that is well moisturized and plump is elastic, pliable, and less likely to show signs of wear and aging.
Unfortunately, hyaluronic acid production slows over time. Since existing HA molecules also break down due to environmental stressors like ultraviolet radiation exposure, numbers of the molecule eventually begin to drop. The same change is true of collagen, which is a protein that gives the skin a healthy internal structure. This loss, which can begin in a person’s 20s, ultimately leads to skin laxity, dryness, and the development of facial wrinkles, such as parenthesis-like nasolabial folds.
Dermal fillers are typically made with hyaluronic acid, which is ideal for restoring hydration and volume where injected below the skin’s surface. The reailty, however, is that many HA fillers do not work well or last long in particularly active areas of the face. This is because ongoing muscle activity can make filler that stays in place (unlike the tissue around it) stand out as an obvious injectable. Constant muscle activity can also cause the filler material to break down more quickly than it would in areas of the face that stay at rest.
The RHA® collection is specifically designed to hold up in areas known for lots of activity, such as the mouth. Think of how often you talk, eat, yawn, smile, and do so many other things that keep the muscles in the mouth area busy. Not only is the gel robust enough to withstand the muscle motion, but it is malleable enough to adapt to the facial movements. That means it can maintain a more natural look by mimicking the natural hyaluronic acid already found in the skin.
In other words, the formula allows your face to look younger whether it’s in motion or at rest—and you can be confident that the results will last.
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How Does the RHA Collection of Fillers Work?
Manufacturer Revance Aesthetics uses an especially gentle manufacturing process that preserves the natural structure of the RHA® fillers’ hyaluronic acid molecules. This means the injectable very closely resembles the hyaluronic acid made by your skin.
Once injected, the specific filler of choice adds volume in areas where collagen and HA loss, fat reduction, and even bone recession have led to visible changes. Thanks to their natural properties, the HA molecules also bind to water, providing more moisture for the skin and establishing a more visible structure.
In terms of results, the cosmetic effects have been shown to last up to 15 months under ideal conditions.
What Formulas Are Available in the RHA Collection?
Revance makes multiple formulations of RHA® fillers available in the United States:
RHA® 2 is designed for treating moderate facial wrinkles and folds, which may just be starting to develop into deeper creases in very active areas, such as right around the mouth. This filler can also fill hollows that develop beneath the eyes. The gel itself won’t change any coloration of the skin there, but by thickening the area, blood vessels may be harder to see and shadows will be less prominent, reducing an overall look of shadows or dark circles that create a tired appearance.
RHA® 3 is more appropriate for more dramatic lines, in the moderate to severe range. These are even deeper nasolabial folds, as well as marionette lines that develop between the edges of the mouth and chin. HA gel can greatly reduce a crease’s depth, making the line less noticeable.
Both of these options in the RHA collection are injected "mid to deep" below the surface of the skin.
RHA® 4 is considered to be a "heavy hitter" in the RHA collection, with a robust formula working to correct deep lines and hollows via deep injection. It can also address mid-face deflation, which causes a gaunt look as hollows form.
On the other end of the RHA collection in terms of thickness is Redensity™, made for “fine tuning” facial lines around the mouth. These wrinkles are often referred to as “smoker’s lines” or vertical lip lines.
Which Member of the RHA Collection Is the Best Treatment for You?
When it comes to the question of addressing signs of aging, there is no single answer that works for everyone. In short, every patient is different! While The RHA Collection of fillers will be the ideal solution for some people, others may benefit more from the hyaluronic acid-based filler Juvederm®, the muscle-relaxing BOTOX®, a combination of injectables, or even other treatments entirely.
The West County Plastic Surgeons team offers a variety of skincare treatments and is devoted to working directly with each person to develop a personalized plan and deliver beautiful, natural-looking results in a safe and welcoming environment. From lasers and lights to body contouring
The best way to determine which would meet your cosmetic needs is to come in for a consultation so we can assess your skin and get you started with a unique treatment plan.
Book a consultation for Revance's RHA® collection at St. Louis' West Country Plastic Surgeons today by calling (314) 996-8800 or sending a message online.
If you have questions or would like to book a consultation with one of the surgeons at West County Plastic Surgery, please call (314) 996-8800.
