Skin Care Review: Radiance

Rating
No effect

Benefits
fill facial lines, lasts 3-7 years

Drawbacks
potential for lumps, somewhat experimental at the time

Details
I have rather deep smoker's lines above my upper lip (despite the fact that I do not smoke!) and have been trying anything and everything to reduce or eliminate them. First I tried the n-Lite laser (results unknown), then collagen injections (sometimes good, but too expensive and painful for such inconsistant and short-lived results) and finally tried Radiance injections in Dec. of 2002. I was confident that the initial lumpiness and uneveness could be worked out in time... and it was. I was pleased with my results for the whole month of April. but by the end of May, my lines were back. I made an appointment to try the erbium laser then, but after learning how invasive it really is, I opted to give Radience a second chance. Just 6 1/2 months after the first procedure, I had it done again. And my lines were back by November. I have since read that this type of wrinkle is called a "dynamic line," which comes from tensing of the muscles (pursing of the lips in my case) and that not even the most invasive of procedures can hope to keep them from returning shortly. I have often wished that I could get Botox injected there to force me to quit this unconscious habit of pursing my lips, but I guess I really do need to be able to talk and eat.....:) I would be remiss, however, not to add that to this day, my upper lip is noticably fuller than it was before my Radiance injections. It's just that I was not after full lips, I wanted my smoker's lines reduced.

Conclusions
Be sure the lines to be filled w/ Radiance are not dynamic/motion lines.

Price (paid by reviewer)
$800

Where to find it
Plastic surgeon