restylane is a brand of hyaluronic acid–based
facial fillers used to smooth wrinkles. different types of
restylane can be used for various needs, including:
● lip enhancement.
● targeting lines around your mouth.
● adding volume to your cheeks.
● minimizing dark circles under your eyes.
hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in the connective tissue of skin, so it’s most commonly used in aesthetic procedures.
almost anyone can get
restylane since the procedure is easily done and recovery is quick.
● allergic to bacterial protein
● immunocompromised
● taking blood thinners
● pregnant or breastfeeding
● under age 21
the cost of
restylane treatments can vary based on what you’re having done and how many syringes are needed.
restylane is generally sold by the syringe and starts around $275.
most procedures fall between $275 and $700. this isn’t covered by traditional health insurance since it’s considered a cosmetic enhancement.
restylane works by placing volume underneath your skin where you’ve lost
collagen and other tissue. this helps smooth out and lift skin, making it look plumper.
the hyaluronic acid in
restylane clings to your skin and the water in the acid provides volume. the acid also attracts more water, helping to preserve the recently added volume.
restylane is a fairly easy cosmetic procedure. it can be done right in your doctor’s office and involves no incisions. it’s usually done with local anesthesia to minimize any discomfort you might experience.
depending on how much work you’re having done and the procedure itself,
restylane injections can take anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour.
the procedure can be broken down into several steps:
● your doctor will choose one or more injection sites in the treatment areas and clean these areas with antiseptic.
●
your doctor will decide how much
restylane is needed.
●
your doctor will inject the
restylane under your skin into the treatment areas using an ultrafine needle.
there are several kinds of
restylane that can be used for different areas of your face. this includes lips, cheeks,
facial folds, and wrinkles. they’re all hyaluronic acid–based
fillers, but each one was designed with a different specific purpose.
restylane silk is the first fda-approved filler designed for lip augmentation and for wrinkles around your mouth.
restylane lyft is for cheek augmentation and midface contour deficiencies as well as things like laugh lines. it provides more volume and fullness.
restylane is used for
facial wrinkles and folds, lip augmentation, and tear troughs (dark circles under your eyes).
restylane refyne is used for wrinkles that can occur from your nose to the corners of your mouth.
restylane defyne is also used for wrinkles around your nose and mouth.
because of the different kinds of
restylane and the various parts of the face for which it can be used, talk with your doctor about your desired results. they’ll work with you to choose the right filler for you.
are there any risks or side effects?
any procedure carries potential risks or side effects and
restylane is no different. risks of
restylane treatments include:
●
bruising or bleeding at injection site
● infection
● allergic reaction
● irregularities in the filling (e.g., in the firmness of your skin) side effects from these injections can include:
● pain or itching at the injection site
● headache
● tenderness
these typically resolve in 7 to 18 days, depending on the treatment area.
individuals on blood-thinning medications are generally not advised to use products like
restylane. if you’ve experienced serious side effects from any drugs or medications, talk with your doctor about whether you’d be a good candidate for this treatment.
healing time can vary with each person and depends on how many injections you received and where. you can expect some redness,
swelling, or
bruising that might take a week or so to fully resolve. you should also limit your sun exposure afterward to prevent added
swelling or
bruising.
you can return to work soon after, although if you’ve had several injections, you might want to give yourself a day to rest and recover.
full results are usually seen within a week after the procedure but you will also see immediate effects since the products add volume when injected.
restylane injections aren’t permanent
fillers, so if you want to maintain results, you’ll need more rounds of injections. depending on the kind of
restylane you received, the
fillers last anywhere between 6 and 18 months. you don’t have to alter your activities in any way after you’re fully healed.
to minimize
bruising from
restylane treatments, about two weeks prior to your appointment stop taking:
● aspirin
● vitamin e
● fish oil
● ibuprofen (motrin)
● st. john’s wort
taking arnica, which is found over the counter at drugstores or health food stores, before and after the procedure can also help with
bruising and
swelling.