Dermal fillers are a great solution for people with wrinkles and sagging skin as well as those who haven’t yet experienced these aging signs but want to stay ahead of the game.
Dermal filler providers often recommend hyaluronic acid-based fillers because they provide natural-looking results and can be dissolved if the patient changes their mind.
Restylane fillers are the first FDA-approved HA-based injectable on the market and one of the most popular filler brands. Continue reading to learn how Restylane works and what results to expect.
What Is Restylane Filler?
Restylane filler is a cosmetic injectable designed to enhance facial features, plump up skin, and smooth wrinkles and folds on the face and hands. The main ingredient is hyaluronic acid, a sugar compound naturally occurring in the body, whose production wanes over time. HA has excellent moisturizing properties and helps volumize and smooth the skin when injected subdermally.
Types of Restylane Filler
The Restylane brand has different lines of dermal filler products, each with a slightly different formula created to address a specific skin concern.
Restylane-L
Restylane-L lifts and plumps up hollow facial features. It is approved for treating moderate to severe wrinkles and nasolabial folds, volumize the lips, and smooth perioral (around the mouth) lines.
Restylane Refyne
Restylane Refyne is similar in composition to Restylane-L but also includes proprietary XpresHAn Technology™, which gives the product a soft consistency and helps provide natural-looking results. Refyne is approved for the correction of moderate to severe wrinkles, nasolabial folds, and laugh lines.
Restylane Defyne
Restylane Defyne has a similar formula to Refyne. It is approved for the correction of deep wrinkles and folds, and it is the only Restylane product indicated for chin augmentation and improving the chin profile.
Restylane Silk
Restylane Silk is the first FDA-approved lip filler. It is formulated to define and add volume to lips, and smooth wrinkles around the mouth.
Restylane Kysse
Restylane Kysse is approved for lip volumizing and reducing wrinkles above the upper lip. It is a more recent lip enhancing product, firmer, and more flexible than Restylane Silk. Medical providers usually opt for Kysse when their patients want more striking results.
Restylane Lyft
Restylane Lyft is approved to reduce moderate to severe wrinkles and folds, augment the cheeks, and volumize the back of the hands. It has a high lifting capacity.
Restylane Contour
Restylane Contour is the newest addition to the Restylane family of products. It is designed to restore volume to cheeks and improve midface contour deficiencies.
Note: Learn how Restylane differs from Juvéderm. If you're struggling to choose between lip filler brands, check out our in-depth comparison of Restylane and Juvéderm for lips.
How Does Restylane Work?
Restylane is based on hyaluronic acid that has a high water-retention capacity. When HA is injected into the skin, the increased moisture helps smooth the skin, volumize sunken facial features and fill in wrinkles and folds. Hyaluronic acid also increases the production of collagen, one of the skin’s main building blocks.
Restylane Filler Treatment
During the treatment, the medical provider cleans the treatment area, marks the injection sites, and administers the Restylane product.
Most Restylane products contain lidocaine, which numbs the pain, but if the patient has a low pain threshold, the medical provider can apply a numbing cream on the treatment area.
After the injection, the medical provider massages the treated area to ensure the filler is distributed evenly and doesn’t form lumps.
The injection takes several minutes. The whole procedure usually takes between 15 and 60 minutes.
How to Prepare for the Treatment?
Your chosen medical provider will explain how to prepare for the treatment during your initial consultation. They may recommend discontinuing the use of blood thinners and other medications and supplements. You are also advised not to drink alcohol a few days before the treatment.
Restylane Aftercare
Medical providers usually advise their patients to follow these tips after a dermal filler treatment:
- Avoid blood-thinning medication and supplements.
- Avoid strenuous exercise.
- Keep away from the sun and heat.
- Stay hydrated.
- Don’t pick, rub, or scratch the treated area.
- Take pain-relief medication if needed.
Note: For more information, read this article on recommended dermal filler aftercare.
What Results Can You Expect?
Restylane effectively reduces the appearance of moderate to severe wrinkles, improves midface contour deficiencies, and augments facial features such as the chin, cheeks, lips, and hands. It also improves skin tone and texture and provides a rejuvenated look.
How Long Does Restylane Last?
The longevity of Restylane results depends on the type of Restylane product and the patient’s unique physical features and lifestyle.
Note: Learn the difference between Restylane-L and Restylane-Lyft - two popular types of Restylane product.
Patient experience shows that Restylane results may last up to 18 months.
The manufacturer claims that the effects of Restylane-L and Restylane Silk last about six months, while all other products typically last up to one year.
Restylane Filler Potential Risks and Side Effects
Restylane fillers are FDA-approved and safe when licensed medical professionals perform the treatment.
These mild filler side effects usually follow the treatment:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Pain at the injection site
- Tenderness
- Headache
- Lumps
Severe but rare side effects include:
- Infection
- Scarring
- Allergic reaction
- Vision problems
- Impaired hand function
- Stroke
If you experience any serious symptoms, contact your medical provider immediately.
Who Should Avoid the Restylane Filler Treatment
Restylane fillers are safe for most healthy adults. Nevertheless, the following conditions pose a risk to having the procedure:
- Pregnancy and lactation
- Allergies to bacterial proteins
- Skin infections
- Scarring
- Bleeding disorders
- Previous surgeries
Restylane Filler Cost
At Vibrant Skin Bar, the price of Restylane products ranges from $625 for Restylane Silk (per syringe) to $745 for Restylane Lyft (per syringe).
Dermal filler costs vary depending on your chosen medical provider’s expertise and location, as well as your specific skin concern and desired goals.
Conclusion
Dermal fillers are the ultimate weapon against the signs of ageing, especially in the midface and lower facial area. Restylane is a popular dermal filler among medical providers and their patients because it successfully enhances facial features and smooth wrinkles and folds.
If you’re ready to try the rejuvenating effects of Restylane, contact the Vibrant Skin Bar skin experts and watch your skin “age” in reverse.
