Restylane

Do you think you look older than you should? Aging and other factors can rob the face of volume and moisture, making your facial features appear sunken or droopy. And that can make you feel older than you need to.

If you wish to return youthful volume to your face or lips or smooth the wrinkles and folds that come with time, Restylane treatment may be the solution you’re looking for.

With Restylane, you can look and feel younger in less than an hour.

What Is Restylane?

Restylane is a dermal filler that adds volume to the cheeks and lips and smooths wrinkles using hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is found naturally in the eyes, joints, and skin, where it holds moisture and lubricates joints and tissues. The result is a more youthful-looking face that moves naturally with every facial expression.

Restylane fillers can:

  • Enhance lips
  • Fill lines around the mouth
  • Add volume to cheeks
  • Minimize dark undereye circles

There are different types of Restylane formulated for different areas of the face. Your doctor will discuss the types with you and choose the best filler for your needs.

How Does Restylane Work?

Restylane uses hyaluronic injections to plump your skin and prompt your natural ability to make collagen and elastin, which gives skin structure and elasticity. Once injected, hyaluronic acid attracts and holds water, providing moisture and volume.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Restylane?

Restylane can help you achieve a younger-looking and younger-feeling face. A good candidate for this treatment is someone who:

  • Is in good health overall
  • Has realistic expectations for their results
  • Is over 21
  • Would like their lips to have more volume and definition
  • Is unhappy with moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, including smile lines that extend from the nose to the corners of the mouth, or “marionette lines” extending from the corners of the mouth extending to the jawline

This procedure is very safe but isn’t suitable for everybody. It may not be a good choice if you:

  • Have an allergy to gram-positive bacterial protein (rare)
  • Are immunocompromised
  • Take blood thinners
  • Are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Are under 21

The Procedure

Restylane injections are a quick, safe procedure done in the office using local anesthesia to minimize discomfort. Here is everything you need to know to prepare for this procedure.

Before the Procedure

Before scheduling Restylane treatment, you’ll discuss your medical history with your doctor. It’s important to tell them about any allergies or medical conditions that could affect treatment.

It’s also important to tell your doctor about all your medications or supplements. You may need to temporarily stop taking blood thinners a few days before your procedure. Some over-the-counter medications and supplements may act as blood thinners.

During the Procedure

Before beginning, your doctor will clean the treatment areas with antiseptic. Then they’ll use a tiny needle to inject Restylane under the skin in the selected areas.

Depending on the treatment areas, your procedure may take only minutes, or up to an hour.

After the Procedure

Recovery from Restylane injections is much shorter than from more invasive cosmetic procedures. Most people can return to work the next day. However, you may have some bruising, redness, or swelling, so you may want to take a few days off to rest and recover.

After your procedure, you should protect your face from sun, cold, and avoid rubbing or scrubbing your face until any redness and swelling have resolved.

You’ll notice the results immediately, and the full effect in a week or two.

Side Effects and Risks

All cosmetic treatments may have side effects or risk of complications. Side effects of Restylane treatment are typically minor and resolve in a week or two. They may include:

  • Bruising
  • Headache
  • Swelling
  • Tenderness
  • Pain and itching at the site of injection

Complications are rare, but may include:

  • Allergic reaction
  • Bleeding or bruising
  • Infection
  • Irregularities in the firmness of your skin

How Much Does Restylane Treatment Cost?

Hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane injections are the most affordable type of filler. Like most cosmetic procedures, insurance doesn’t cover Restylane treatment. The cost depends on factors like the doctor’s expertise and the number of injections needed for your custom treatment.

If you’d like to learn if Restylane is right for you, schedule a free consultation today!