About Restylane®

Restylane® is a crystal clear gel that is injected into the skin producing long lasting correction of lines, folds and wrinkles.

Restylane® is a cosmetic dermal filler made of hyaluronic acid and is non-animal derived (also called NASHA), biodegradable, biocompatible and natural.  It is injected into the skin in tiny amounts with a very fine needle to fill out lips, facial wrinkles and facial folds.  Restylane® maintains its shape using the body’s own moisture.  The hyaluronic acid in Restylane® is hydrophilic or “water loving.”  As hyaluronic acid gradually degrades, each molecule binds to more water and, over time, the same volume can be maintained with less hyaluronic acid.  This ability of hyaluronic acid to bind to water is what helps provide lasting results.

Restylane® has a highly favorable safety profile.  It has been used in more than 4 million treatments in over 70 countries.  Restylane® is free from animal proteins.  This limits any risk of animal-based disease transmissions or development of allergic reactions to animal protein.  No allergy testing is required before use.

If you have had facial cold sores before, an injection can cause another outbreak.

Restylane® should not be used by people with previous bad allergies, particularly to certain microorganisms known as gram positive bacteria, by people with previous bad allergies to drugs that have required in-hospital treatment or by people with bleeding disorders.

Restylane® is injected into the dermis and provides volume where the concentration of the body’s own hyaluronic acid has decreased.  Restylane® lifts and smoothes the skin contour.  Restylane® may also be used to create fuller and more youthful lips by accentuating pouting and/or fullness and maybe injected along the slip margins to enhance the contour and to prevent lipstick bleed.  One treatment session takes 30 – 60 minutes and is performed with a topical and local anesthetic  to minimize discomfort.

Studies have shown that Restylane® effects generally last for about 6 months.  The NASHA technology helps maintain the cosmetic effect until the injected material is nearly gone.  Followup treatments are typically scheduled at 6-month intervals.  However, individual results do vary.

Avoid aspirin or aspirin containing products, unless medically contraindicated, Advil, Motrin, Ibuprofen, Vitamin E, Green Tea, Garlic, Ginko, Ginseng and St. John’s Wort for a period of 10 days prior to the Restylane® treatment session.  If you have any active skin infection or inflammation, Restylane® cannot be injected.

As previously stated, if you have had cold sore outbreaks, needle punctures could contribute to another one.  You should take medication to treat a potential outbreak prior to the Restylane® procedure.

Sunbathing and cold outdoor activities should be avoided until any redness or swelling disappear.  Avoid touching the treatment area for 6 hours following treatment.  After that, the area may be gently washed.

Have a followup treatment prior to the product fully dissipating.  This may enhance a lasting effect.

Avoid the above listed medications and supplements until any bruising that may have occurred is gone.

In addition to those listed previously, a treatment site may have swelling, redness and tenderness which usually subsides within 3 days.