What Is Restylane?
Restylane is the trademarked name of hyaluronic acid produced by Q-Med, a company that develops, manufactures and markets products that improve the appearance. It is an FDA-approved dermal filler that has been used safely in the United States since 2003 and in Europe since 1996. More than 11 million procedures have been performed, and Restylane is one of the most widely documented hyaluronic acid products approved for aesthetic use.
Glycosaminoglycans are disaccharide polymers linked together by glycosides to form large carbohydrates in human cartilage, skin and extracellular fluids. Hyaluronic acid is the only non-sulfated glycosaminoglycan found in the human body, and Restylane is a molecularly stabilized form of hyaluronic acid.
Naturally occurring hyaluronic acid is relatively short lived. Roughly 30 percent of all your hyaluronic acid is degraded and replaced each day. Restylane differs from naturally occurring hyaluronic acid in that the degradation process is much slower and can take up to six months or longer. The components of Restylane are used up in natural biochemical processes, and no residues are left behind as the product degrades.
Restylane is a non-animal stabilized version of hyaluronic acid. Other dermal filler treatments for wrinkles and aging skin are produced from a collagen base. Collagen is obtained from human, bovine or porcine sources and carries some risk of allergic reaction. Because Restylane is produced from a non-animal source, there is no chance of an allergic reaction and no need for allergy testing.
How Do Restylane Treatments Improve My Appearance?
Restylane products are used to smooth out wrinkles and lines, to define facial contours, to augment the shape of your lips, and to improve your skin quality. It is a clear gel that is injected subcutaneously.
Our bodies produce less hyaluronic acid as we age. This is one reason skin begins to sag and wrinkle. Restylane injections fill these wrinkles and folds.
Restylane also increases the presence of retinoic acid, which causes your skin to hydrate. The incorporation of water molecules once the Restylane is in place has a moisturizing effect and preserves your youthful appearance. The interaction of hyaluronic acid with specific proteins promotes natural collagen synthesis, which also improves the natural appearance of your skin.
Are Restylane Injections Painful?
Most people find Restylane injections to be painless. It really depends upon the area being injected and your own sensitivity. Treatment areas around the lips and nose are the most likely to be sensitive, but the majority of people do not require any anesthetic for the treatment of wrinkles with Restylane injections.
During the procedure, Restylane gel is injected beneath the skin in very small amounts using an extremely fine needle. Special injection techniques and equipment have been developed especially for these treatments.
Restylane injection procedures typically take only a few minutes to complete, but comprehensive treatments over a large facial area can take 30 to 60 minutes.
Will Restylane Interact With My Other Medications?
Restylane is a commercially produced version of a natural substance, so its biocompatibility is assured. There is very little potential for any allergic reaction. Your physician may advise you to stop using certain medications before a Restylane treatment in order to avoid potential application effects.
These medications will not interact with Restylane, but they do have the potential to increase the risk of bleeding or bruising from the injection procedure. Stop using the following products at least three weeks prior to receiving Restylane injections:
- Advil
- Aleve
- Excedrin
- Ibuprofen
- Motrin
- Naproxen
- Percodan
- Vitamin E (in doses of more than 100 IU/day)
This is not a comprehensive list, and you should always clear your medications with your physician.
Is There Any Chance Of Side Effects From Restylane Treatments?
Restylane injections are very safe, and the incidence of side effects is extremely low. Restylane is an FDA-approved drug that has been used in over 60 countries around the world since 1996, and there are millions of documented cases of safe use. Potential side effects include:
- redness
- swelling
- tenderness
- bruising
- itching
- discoloration
When they do occur, these side effects typically subside in one to two days. An application to the lips usually produces swelling that lasts for several days, while treatments for fine lines and wrinkles do not typically result in any swelling.
How Much Do Restylane Treatments Cost?
Fees vary based upon location and upon the amount of Restylane required. Unlike Botox or Dysport, Restylane is packaged and sold only as a pre-filled syringe. If the desired effect is not achieved through the use of a single syringe, a second syringe must be purchased.
The average cost for a single syringe of Restylane is $700. The average cost in a specific location can be estimated by contacting two or three board certified facial plastic surgeons in a specific area to inquire about fees.