Restylane®
What is Restylane®?
Restylane® is a family of fillers made of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a natural component in our skin’s dermis that holds water and fills spaces between collagen and elastin fibers. It is an essential factor in our skin’s elasticity, fullness, and hydration. Over time, we lose hyaluronic acid, which accounts for volume loss and formation of deeper wrinkles and folds in our skin.
Restylane® is the first FDA approved hyaluronic acid filler and composed of hyaluronic acid that is closest in composition to that found in human skin, as it is not cross-linked. Specifically, Restylane®-L and Restylane® Lyft are forms of NASHA® (non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid) gel, which is stabilized to lift the skin for six to nine months.
Dr. Kil has safely injected Restylane® in NYC since 2007. She injects the precise amount of filler in specific locations to restore volume loss and decrease deep wrinkles and folds while avoiding an overfilled look.
What Are Fillers?
Fillers have been successfully used to treat facial aging and enhance facial features. Facial aging is characterized by volume loss and bony recession. This process increases the prominence of the folds between the cheeks and lips, Marionette’s lines around the mouth, chin jowls, and atrophy of the temples, cheeks, and tear troughs. Collagen loss and elastin breakdown also leads to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Patients in a wider age group also seek non-surgical options to refine the appearance of lips, jawline, and nose bridge and areas with atrophic scarring.
Fillers such as Juvederm®, Restylane®, and RHA® Collection are made of hyaluronic acid, a natural component in our skin’s dermis that holds water and fills spaces between collagen fibers. These fillers hydrate the skin and restore facial volume, which decreases the appearance of folds, atrophy, and wrinkles and reverses the signs of aging. They also can be used to enhance facial features. Hyaluronic acid fillers are reversible with injections of hyaluronidase, such as Hylanex® or Vitrasse®.
Radiesse® is a semi-permanent filler made of calcium hydroxylapatite that treats facial folds and volume loss. Radiesse® is considered a biostimulator because it increases collagen and elastin production. Restylane® Lyft and Radiesse® is also FDA approved for hand rejuvenation to help restore volume loss.
Who is a candidate for Restylane®? Who is not a candidate?
Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding are advised to hold off on treatment. Individuals who are allergic to lidocaine and hyaluronic acid and have a history of severe allergies, including anaphylaxis, should not be treated. Patients who have an infection at the treatment area are advised to delay treatment until the infection has resolved. Patients who are planning to have dental work are advised to hold off on filler treatment for two weeks.
How do you prepare for Restylane®?
Before fillers are performed, it is best to avoid alcohol and stop any unnecessary blood thinners, such as aspirin, advil or ibuprofen, fish oil, and Vitamin E, for 48 hours before the procedure to minimize bruising. While all fillers contain an anesthetic, patients may opt to arrive in the office 30 minutes before the procedure to receive topical anesthetic to decrease any discomfort associated with the injection, especially on the lips.
What can you expect during Restylane® treatment?
After the treatment area is cleaned, Restylane® is injected in small amounts. The treatment areas can show swelling and redness. The treatment areas are massaged to prevent the formation of bumps and ice packs are applied.
What is the aftercare and recovery for Restylane®?
Patients can apply ice packs to the treatment area to decrease the redness, swelling, and bruising. They are advised to avoid alcohol, advil, alleve, aspirin, fish oil, and vitamin E for 48 hours after treatment to avoid worsening of bruising and swelling.
What are the side effects of Restylane®?
Common side effects include redness, swelling, tenderness, and bruising at the injection site. Other side effects include formation of bumps or nodules, skin infection, and migration of filler. A rare side effect is blood vessel occlusion, which involves the placement of filler into the blood vessels and can lead to permanent scarring if left untreated. Consequently, it is important to receive treatment from an experienced provider who is adept at handling these side effects. Hyaluronic acid fillers such as Restylane® are reversible with hyaluronidase injections, such as Hylanex® or Vitrasse®, which dissolve hyaluronic acid.
When will I notice results from Restylane®? How long does Restylane® last?
After any bruising or swelling subsides, the final results from filler treatment appear a few days later. Hyaluronic acid fillers last from six to nine months, depending on the properties of the filler and placement in the skin.
What are the potential costs for Restylane®?
Please contact the office at (212) 207-0078 or info@newbloomderm.com for pricing per syringe.
How is Restylane® different from the other treatments offered?
Fillers composed of hyaluronic acid, such as Restylane® remain one of the best researched and effective non-invasive treatments for deep wrinkles and facial folds as a result of volume loss. It is a quick treatment requiring minimal downtime. Patients who are seeking fillers with a longer duration and capable of increasing collagen production may consider treatment with Radiesse®, a semi-permanent filler. Patients who do not want injections and prefer treatments with minimal downtime for tightening of skin can consider Exilis Ultra 360™, Sylfirm X RF microneedling, and Ultherapy®.
Fillers are not the same as Botox® and other neuromodulators. Botox® and other neuromodulators are used to decrease wrinkles as a result of dynamic muscle movement and tense muscles. Fillers are mostly injected to deep wrinkles or folds as a result of volume loss in areas such as the folds between the cheek and the mouth. However, certain fillers that are thinner in density, such as RHA Redensity™, can be safely injected to superficial wrinkles to help smooth the skin’s texture.
Before any treatments are scheduled, a cosmetic consultation is required to ensure that Restylane® is an appropriate treatment.
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