Restylane is a brand of hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers used to minimize the appearance of wrinkles. Different Restylane products can be used for a variety of needs, including:
- Lip enhancement
- Minimizing the appearance of lines around the mouth
- Improving volume in the cheeks
- Minimizing dark circles under the eyes
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the connective tissue of skin, making it a common ingredient in dermal fillers.
Who is a Candidate For Restylane?
Restylane is for adults ages 21 and over. The procedure is relatively simple and recovery is quick.
Patients should avoid Restylane if they’re:
- Allergic to bacterial protein
- Immunocompromised
- Taking blood thinners
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
Patients with a history of serious side effects from any drugs or medications, should talk with their doctor to see if they’d be a good candidate for Restylane.
How Does Restylane Work?
Restylane works by adding volume underneath the skin in areas that have experienced loss of collagen and other tissue. Injection of hyaluronic acid helps smooth out and lift skin, making it appear fuller.
The hyaluronic acid in Restylane clings to the skin, while the water in the acid adds temporary volume. The acid also attracts more water, helping to prolong the effects of treatment.
Targeted Areas For Restylane
Restylane products can be used to treat numerous areas of the face, including lips, cheeks, and midface. Each Restylane filler contains hyaluronic acid, but is specifically designed to meet a unique purpose.
- Restylane Silk. Designed for lip augmentation and for wrinkles around the mouth.
- Restylane Lyft. Improves cheek volume, addresses midface contour deficiencies, and minimizes the appearance of laugh lines by providing more volume and fullness.
- Restylane Contour. Used for facial wrinkles and folds, lip augmentation, and tear troughs (or dark circles under the eyes).
- Restylane Refyne. Minimizes the appearance of wrinkles that occur from the nose to the corners of the mouth.
- Restylane Defyne. Improves the appearance of wrinkles around the nose and mouth.
What to Expect During The Procedure
Restylane injections are done in a doctor’s office and don’t require any incisions. Patients may receive local anesthesia to minimize discomfort.
Restylane injections can take anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour, depending on the number of injections being done and the size of the treatment area.
The procedure consists of the following steps:
- The doctor will choose one or more injection sites in the treatment area(s) and cleanse the skin with an antiseptic.
- The doctor will then decide how much Restylane is needed.
- The doctor will inject the Restylane using an ultrafine needle.
Potential Risks or Side Effects
Every cosmetic procedure comes with unique risks and potential side effects. After injection with Restylane, patients may experience the following side effects:
- Pain or itching at the injection site
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Headache
- Tenderness
These side effects are temporary and typically resolve in seven to 18 days, depending on the treatment area.
Risks of Restylane injections include:
- Bruising or bleeding at injection site
- Infection
- Allergic reaction
- Irregularities in the filling (lumps or bumps under the skin)
