A Novel Method to Inject Hyaluronic Acid: The Fern Pattern Technique

Nonanimal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid (NASHA) has proven itself as one of the safest, most versatile dermal fillers with a high patient and physician satisfaction. The authors describe a novel technique to inject Restylane (NASHA) in the dermis for optimal correction of dynamic facial lines. Mobile facial folds represent a greater challenge for correction using standard injection techniques. The injection technique described is named the Fern Pattern Technique. The purpose of the Fern Pattern Technique is to use Restylane in such a way that it becomes a skin stiffening agent, rather than a simple filler in order to provide optimal correction for lines that deepen with expressive facial movements. The Fern Pattern Technique also uses less material to provide a correction that is not visible at rest or during dynamic movement for lines that deepen during a smile, as well as the dynamic lower nasolabial fold.