If Zyderm or Zyplast are used, the physician will overcorrect, raising the line of the crease above the surface of the skin. This compensates for the anesthetic within the implant solution and will flatten out within a short period of time as the local anesthesia wears off.

Once the implant is in place the physician may massage the treated area to feather out the line of correction.

Gore-Tex and SoftForm implants are not injected. They are threaded along the furrow or depression targeted for correction. A local anesthetic is used to numb the area before and tiny incisions are made at either end of the insertion line. A tunnel is then created through which the Gore-Tex or SoftForm implant is threaded.

What does the injection site look like afterwards?
Slight blotchiness and swelling is usually evident after the injection of an implant. The degree of swelling varies with the type of implant used. Needle-prick sites and bruising may also be apparent. All evidence of the procedure has usually disappeared within 3 hours to 3 days, except that the furrows and wrinkles are less obvious. In rare instances a bruise may last up to 9 days. Patients who can tolerate the implants without an allergic reaction are generally happy with the results.

Gore-Tex and SoftForm implants require a stitch at either end of the implant site. Once these are removed there is no visible sign that an implant has been put in place.

Does it hurt to have soft tissue implants?
Some mild discomfort will be experienced, or, at most, moderate pain on the injection of the implant. Zyderm, Zyplast and Artecoll have a local anesthetic in their suspensions and this decreases some of the discomfort. Koken and Fibrel are available with or without anesthetic. Hylaform viscoelastic gel, microlipid transfer, and silicone fluid do not have anesthetics in their suspensions and, therefore, tend to be more uncomfortable.

Gore-Tex and SoftForm require local anesthesia at the treatment site prior to the placement of the implant.