What is Restylane?
Restylane is an FDA-approved filler made with hyaluronic acid, which is a complex sugar that is identical to the hyaluronic acid your body makes. Restylane dermal fillers are synthetically made and are not derived from humans or animals. Because Restylane hyaluronic acid fillers are formulated identically to the recurring hyaluronic acid in your own body, they break down naturally over time. This also means that this filler can be dissolved at any time by your provider if you are unhappy with your results.
Quick Links
- What is Restylane?
- How does Restylane work?
- Where is Restylane used?
- Are There Different Types of Hyaluronic Acid?
- Does Restylane Work Instantly?
- How Long Does Restylane Last?
- How Many Visits Are Required for Restylane Injections?
- Is There Downtime After a Restylane Injection?
- Will I Have a Bruise After a Restylane Injection?
- How Much Discomfort is Associated with a Restylane Injection?
- What Are My Restrictions After a Restylane Injection?
- Procedures/Treatments Often Performed in Conjunction with a Restylane Injection
- Schedule a Consultation
- FAQs
Stanislaw Facial Plastic Surgery Center is a Presidential Level Associate for Galderma products like the FDA-approved dermal filler Restylane and neurotoxin Dysport. Only 6.4% of accounts nationally achieve this status! Trusting your face to an experienced professional like Dr. Stanislaw is a must!
Our office provides the full line of Restylane treatment options, including the following:
- Restylane Refyne: corrects moderate to severe facial wrinkles
- Restylane: corrects moderate to severe facial lines
- Restylane Lyft: corrects facial lines, used for cheek augmentation, and is perfect for contouring the face; can be used to smooth hands
- Restylane Contour: used for cheek augmentation and re-contouring the face
- Restylane Kysse: addresses lip wrinkles and volume loss
- Restylane Eyelight: works on eye hollows
- Restylane Defyne: corrects mild to severe deep wrinkles and is used for chin augmentation.
Which one is right for you will depend on the area of concern and the results you’re looking for.
Treatment Areas
Restylane® treatments are designed to smooth away facial wrinkles and folds, restore lost volume, and enhance facial contours for a natural, youthful look. The Restylane family of products offers versatile solutions for multiple areas of the face:
- Nasolabial folds and marionette lines
- Cheeks and midface
- Lips
- Under-eye hollows
During your consultation, Dr. Stanislaw will evaluate your unique anatomy and goals to recommend the most appropriate Restylane treatments for your desired results.
How does Restylane work?
Restylane fillers will add volume to lift the skin and improve the appearance of wrinkles, facial folds, and scars, making these depressions level with the surrounding skin.
Juvederm vs. Restylane
Both Restylane and Juvederm are hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers designed to address facial wrinkles and folds, volume loss, and lip enhancement. While both are excellent choices, the differences lie in their formulation and texture:
Restylane: Uses a slightly firmer gel texture, allowing for precise shaping and definition. It’s ideal for contouring and targeted volume restoration in areas like the nasolabial folds, cheeks, and lips.
Juvederm: Has a smoother gel consistency, making it well-suited for areas that need a softer, more subtle enhancement.
Where is Restylane used?
Restylane injectable dermal filler can be used anywhere on the face, but it is most often used for superficial wrinkles and depressed scars. The ideal locations for Restylane are the wrinkles between the eyebrows (glabella), the wrinkles of the upper and lower lip, hollow grooves under the eyes, and depressed scars on the face. Restylane is well-known among other popular lip fillers and can also be used for subtle lip enhancement. Your Restylane injection site will depend on your cosmetic concern and the treatment area.
Are There Different Types of Hyaluronic Acid?
There are two major manufacturers of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers: Medicis and Allergan. Both companies produce two types of hyaluronic acid, a thin version and a thick version. The thin versions of hyaluronic acid are used for very superficial wrinkles in areas with very thin skin, like around the eyes. The thick versions are used for correcting moderate to severe facial wrinkles (i.e., nasolabial folds or marionette lines) and replacing volume loss of the face (i.e., recreating nice cheekbones).
Does Restylane Work Instantly?
Restylane treatment, like other hyaluronic acids, immediately lifts facial wrinkles, depressions, and scars, restoring lost volume caused by natural aging. These natural-looking results will restore your youthful appearance rather than change your features.
How Long Does Restylane Last?
Restylane can last from 6 months to years, depending on the patient and the anatomical location injected. Some patients hold on to Restylane longer than others, and areas with a lot of muscle movement (i.e., around the mouth) tend to break down the Restylane faster. During the consultation, Dr. Stanislaw can give you a good estimate of how long Restylane will last for the area of your concern.
Side Effects & Safety
Restylane fillers are generally well-tolerated, and serious side effects are rare. However, as with any injectable treatment, some mild and temporary reactions can occur at the dermal filler treatment site, including redness, pain, bruising, headache, tenderness, or a small lump. These effects typically resolve within a few days. To minimize complications, it’s essential to inform your doctor if you are planning any medical procedures or if you have a bleeding disorder that could increase your risk of bruising or risk of infection.
How Many Visits Are Required for Restylane Injections?
Restylane injections usually require a consultation appointment for patients undergoing the procedure for the first time. Patients who have previously received Restylane injections from Dr. Stanislaw and know what they want generally don’t need a consultation before the injection.
The Restylane injection can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the location being injected. A follow-up visit is typically scheduled for one to two weeks following an injection.
Is There Downtime After a Restylane Injection?
The amount of downtime depends on the location where the injection occurred. Some areas have a very short downtime (with mild redness and swelling that only lasts for a day), while others tend to remain red and swollen for a longer duration. The downtime for your specific procedure will be discussed by Dr. Stanislaw during your consultation.
Will I Have a Bruise After a Restylane Injection?
Different areas of the face have different rates of bruising. For example, the risk of bruising for a Restylane injection of the nasolabial folds is about 5%, while the risk of bruising around the eyes is much greater, closer to 50%. These bruises are usually small and can be easily covered with makeup. However, there are rare occasions when bruises can be large and cannot be concealed by makeup. Therefore, you should plan accordingly. Do not schedule an injection for two weeks prior to any major events where a bruise will be unacceptable.
How Much Discomfort is Associated with a Restylane Injection?
Restylane injections are relatively painless. The Restylane filler includes a numbing medication that makes the injected area temporarily numb. If necessary, a topical numbing agent can be applied to the area prior to the injection.
What Are My Restrictions After a Restylane Injection?
Do not massage or rub the injection area for at least one week. Refrain from having any facials or microdermabrasion done for one week after a Restylane injection. You should avoid bending, lifting, and straining immediately after receiving an injection. The duration of these instructions ranges from one day to one week, depending on the location of the injection.
Procedures/Treatments Often Performed in Conjunction with a Restylane Injection
Some patients choose to have a Botox or Dysport injection at the same time as the Restylane injection to address dynamic wrinkles caused by repeated facial expressions. Restylane injections are often combined with topical Retin-A, topical Vitamin C, topical Vitamin E, microdermabrasion, and facial peels for a full circle approach to rejuvenated skin.
Schedule a Consultation
If you’re considering Restylane treatments to smooth wrinkles, enhance your lips, or restore facial contours, we invite you to schedule a consultation at Stanislaw Facial Plastic Surgery Center. During your visit, Dr. Stanislaw will assess your facial anatomy, discuss your goals, and help you decide which Restylane family of products is best suited for your needs. Contact our office today to book your appointment and begin your journey to a more refreshed, youthful appearance.