- Restylane is a line of temporary dermal fillers.
- All Restylane products are formulated using hyaluronic acid, a substance that can restore facial volume and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
- There are many Restylane products on the market, each with its own designated injection site.
What Is Restylane?
Restylane is the brand name for a range of FDA-approved hyaluronic acid based fillers.
Naturally occurring in the human body, hyaluronic acid plays a key role in keeping your skin hydrated, plump and healthy.
Restylane is primarily used for cosmetic purposes. Formulated as a clear gel, it is usually injected beneath the surface of the skin to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines, and restore lost volume.
Which Type of Restylane Is Right for You?
There are many types of Restylane on the market. While all the products are based on hyaluronic acid, the way they are formulated is slightly differently.
As a result, each Restylane product serves a different, specific purpose. Choosing the right one depends on your needs and unique cosmetic goals.
Restylane and Restylane-L
Restylane and Restylane-L are designed to add volume to the skin to treat moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. They can also be used for lip augmentation.
The only difference between Restylane and Restylane-L is that the latter contains lidocaine, an anesthetic that helps reduce pain.
Restylane Silk
Restylane features a gel that is smaller and smoother than other Restylane products. It is the first product specifically designed for lip augmentation and smoothing wrinkles around the mouth.
Restylane Lyft
Loss of volume in the back of the hands is often an unwanted sign of aging. Restylane Lyft is designed to address this concern.
It can also be used to add fullness to the cheeks and midface, and treat severe facial folds.
Restylane Refyne
Restylane Refyne helps reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds, the vertical lines that run from the sides of your nose toward the corner of your mouth.
It can also be used to soften the lines that run between the corners of the mouth and the chin, commonly referred to as “marionette lines.”
Restylane Defyne
Restylane Defyne treats the same lines as Restylane Refyne but is designed for deeper, more severe wrinkles and lines.
Restylane vs Juvederm
Restylane and Juvederm are the most well known brands of injectable dermal fillers on the market.
Choosing between them can be difficult because the two brands share many similarities. They both use formulas based on hyaluronic acid and the injection procedures are more or less identical. The side effects and after-care process are also very similar.
The main difference between the two is that Juvederm is generally meant to last slightly longer than Restylane. Consequently, Juvederm is a little more expensive. However, the difference is minimal and shouldn’t form the basis of your decision to choose one over the other.
You can ensure the best results by listening to the advice of your provider, who will have their own product recommendations based on their experience and your specific cosmetic goals.
Treatment Areas
| Treatment area | Best Restylane product to use |
|---|---|
| Nasolabial folds | Restylane, Restylane-L, Restylane Lyft, Restylane Refyne, Restylane Defyne |
| Marionette lines | Restylane Refyne, Restylane Defyne |
| Around the lips | Restylane, Restylane-L, Restylane Silk |
| In the hollows under the eyes | Restylane, Restylane-L, Restylane Silk |
| Back of the hands | Restylane Lyft |
| Chin area | Restylane Silk |
Before and Afters
The Procedure
Restylane injections are usually performed at your provider’s office.
The injector will begin by cleaning the injection site with an antiseptic. Next, they will inject the Restylane under your skin using a small needle.
Your provider may also apply a local anesthetic to reduce any pain or discomfort you might feel during the treatment.
The procedure requires no incisions and can usually be completed in less than half an hour.
Aftercare
Restylane is a non-invasive procedure and requires almost no downtime.
You may experience some swelling and/or redness around the injection site that will gradually disappear over the course of the next week.
Your provider may advise you to limit your exposure to the sun and avoid applying pressure to the treatment area for a couple of days while the filler settles.
They may also suggest using a cool compress and applying Arnica Cream to minimize bruising and swelling.
How Long Does Restylane Last?
Most patients are able to see the full results of their treatment within a week.
Duration can vary significantly depending on the product used and the specific injection site. Q-Med, the company that manufactures Restylane, says that Restylane Silk lasts for up to six months when injected in the lips, while Restylane may last for up to 18 months when injected in the nasolabial folds.
However, the rate at which Restylane is broken down by the body can change depending on the individual. That being said, you can expect results to last for approximately six to 18 months. The treatment can be repeated after its results wear off if you wish to maintain results.
Restylane injections gone wrong
If you are unhappy with the results of your Restylane treatment, hyaluronidase injections can be used to safely and effectively dissolve hyaluronic acid fillers.
Restylane Side Effects
Restyle has an excellent safety profile and the majority of people are able to achieve good results without experiencing significant adverse effects. However, there are a few common side effects to be aware of, including:
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Redness
- Itching
- Headaches
Side effects usually resolve themselves within a few weeks. Seek medical advice if symptoms persist or worsen.
Reviews
Restylane injections generally have a very high self-reported satisfaction rate. The brand is held in high regard by both patients and cosmetic professionals.
A number of clinical studies have found similarly positive results. For instance, one clinical study of Restylane and Restylane Defyne found that 83% of patients thought they looked younger and more attractive after receiving Restylane injections.
Other investigations have reported that 100% of patients who received Restylane-L for moderate to severe nasolabial folds were satisfied with the results of their treatment.
Cost
The cost of Restylane varies depending on how many units you need for your treatment, as well as your geographical location.
As with other types of cosmetic treatments, Restylane is usually more expensive in areas where there is a higher cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, you can expect to pay approximately $600-$650 per syringe, which contains 1 milliliter of Restylane.
Restylane is not covered by insurance as it’s considered an elective cosmetic procedure, but many cosmetic providers offer payment plans to help patients finance the treatment.
Takeaway
Restylane is a line of hyaluronic acid-based injectable fillers used to treat fine lines and wrinkles. There are a number of FDA-approved Restylane products on the market, each designed to target a specific area of concern.
Restylane has very high satisfaction rates and an excellent safety profile, but to get the very best results it’s crucial to use the services of a cosmetic professional you know you can trust.
Use Zwivel’s cosmetic directory to find expert Restylane providers in your area.
