Restylane Injections Winning War Against Cellulite
It's Instant And Expected To Last 4-6 Months

Dr. David Marks, M.D.
Reporting

(CBS) NEW YORK Dimply skin, cottage cheese, cellulite. No matter what you call it, it's never a welcome sight.

"It's something that's always bothered me and I've had cellulite for at least 15 years, if not longer," Patricia Izzo said.

But she said she's no longer living with those lumps.

"I'll wear shorts this summer. I plan to be in a bathing suit. I'm thrilled," she said.

Her cellulite solution?

Restylane -- an injectable filler approved by the FDA to treat wrinkles in the face. Great Neck dermatologist Jeannette Graf said it's now working wonders on legs.

"It can be injected very superficially as well as deep so you can get it at all of the levels of skin," Graf said.

Restylane is made of hyaluronic acid, which already occurs naturally in the body. It literally fills the dimply spots to create a smooth appearance.

"It's instant and it's fast. It's an office visit," Graf said.

Patricia's dimples disappeared.

"I saw the effects almost immediately," she said.

But she did have a small amount of bruising that went away within days. Doctors said that's a common side effect.
So, is this cellulite solution for everyone?

Doctor Ranella Hirsch, with the Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery, warns the more cellulite you have, the more injections you'll need, which can be costly.

"It can really range from the hundreds to thousands, which is a big part of my hesitation," she said.

Graf said the average cost for a typical patient in her practice is about $600 a leg. And she said results should last between four and six months.

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