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Restylane
Restylane is a clear, transparent gel that may be injected into the skin to add volume to lips and improve wrinkles and folds. Restylane consists of hyaluronic acid, a natural substance already present in the human body. Once in the skin, Restylane works by creating volume. Whereas some dermal fillers are derived from animal sources, the hyaluronic acid in Restylane is from a non-animal source. This means that there is virtually no risk of animal or human disease being transmitted.
- What is Restylane?
- What is Hyaluronic Acid?
- What’s the Difference between Restylane, Perlane and Restylane Fine Lines?
- What’s the Difference between Restylane and BOTOX®?
- What Areas can be Treated with Restylane?
- How is the Restylane Treatment done?
- Is it Safe?
- How long does the treatment session take?
- How long does Restylane last?
- Is it Painful?
- What will I look like after the treatment?
- How do I take care of the treated area after my treatment?
- When should I come back for my next treatment?
- How much does Restylane cost?
1. What is Restylane?
Restylane and Perlane are the only cosmetic dermal fillers made of non-animal-based hyaluronic acid, a natural substance that, along with collagen, already exists in the human body. The hyaluronic acid in Restylane and Perlane is a crystal-clear, transparent gel called NASHA™ or Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid. NASHA™ is completely biocompatible with human hyaluronic acid. Unlike some similar products, the hyaluronic acid in Restylane is not produced from animals. This means that there is virtually no risk of animal or human disease being transmitted or allergic reactions being elicited if you are sensitive to common foods, such as beef, chicken and eggs.
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2. What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that is found throughout the body. It gives volume to the skin, lubricates the joints and gives the eyes their shape. The hyaluronic acid in Restylane is stabilized, allowing prolonged duration of effect. It is not of animal or human origin.
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3. What’s the Difference between Restylane, Perlane and Restylane Fine Lines?
The only difference between Restylane, Perlane and Restylane Fine Lines is the particle size. The choice of product used is selected according to the skin’s characteristics in the area to be treated.
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4. What’s the Difference between Restylane and BOTOX®?
Restylane and BOTOX® are unique but complementary products which act by completely different mechanisms. Whereas the Restylane family of products is designed to enhance volume or to fill wrinkles, BOTOX® relaxes muscles that contribute to unwanted facial wrinkles. These two products are often used in conjunction with each other.
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5. What Areas can be Treated with Restylane?
The Restylane family is a versatile group of products which is used for multiple purposes, amongst which smoothing folds and wrinkles, enhancing lips and shaping facial contours.
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The most commonly treated areas are:
- the glabellar lines (between the eyebrows)
- the nasolabial folds (from the bottom of the nose to the corner of the mouth)
- the lips (for enhancement and definition)
Some other sites that can also be treated include:
- filling of the hollow grooves under the eyes
- filling the hollowed out appearance over the back of the hands that develops with age
- vertical upper lip wrinkles
- correction of “bleeding lipstick”
- filling hollows in the cheeks and other areas
- correcting down turned corners of the mouth
- acne scars
- chin augmentation
- horizontal (upper forehead) frown lines
Very superficial or very deep wrinkles may be difficult to correct. During your consultation, we will assess your individual case to develop treatment options that fit your needs.
6. How is the Restylane Treatment done?
During treatment, a small amount of Restylane is slowly injected into the skin using a very fine needle. By producing volume under the wrinkle, the wrinkle is lifted and smoothed. When enhancing lips or facial contours, Restylane adds volume and shape to the treated area.
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7. Is it Safe?
More than 27 million patients all over the world have been treated with various hyaluronic acid based products over the years. Perlane & Restylane are extremely safe. More than five hundred thousand men and women in all age groups around the world have been successfully treated with Perlane & Restylane since 1996.
Because the NASHA used in Perlane & Restylane is produced in a laboratory, there is no risk of transmitting diseases, or producing allergic reactions in patients who are sensitive to common foods, such as beef, chickens and eggs. Unlike older collagen-based products, no skin testing is needed before Perlane & Restylane treatments.
Based on clinical studies, Restylane and Perlane treatments produce a very low occurrence of adverse events. Injection-related adverse reactions such as swelling, redness and tenderness may occur. Although uncommon, bruising may occur. Other adverse reactions are very rare. These effects typically resolve within two to three days, but may rarely be more prolonged.
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8. How long does the treatment session take?
Restylane treatment is a simple office procedure that usually takes less than 30 minutes to perform. The time may vary depending on the amount of correction desired. Because no pre-test is required, treatment can be carried out immediately, often on the same day as your consultation.
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9. How long does Restylane last?
With Restylane products, the results are visible immediately. Unlike collagen injections, which typically last 3-4 months, the benefits of Perlane & Restylane treatment may be visible for 3-12 months, depending on area treated and the nature of your skin and general health. For example, the nasolabial folds between the bottom of the nose and the corner of the mouth typically last 4-6 months and, sometimes, longer. Highly mobile areas, such as the lips, require more frequent touch-ups, generally every 3-4 months. Areas where there is less movement, such as the hollow grooves under the eyes, may only require additional treatment after 6-9 months.
In some areas, such as the vertical furrows between the eyebrows, Botox® treatments are often used in conjunction with Restylane to reduce unwanted muscle movement, thereby prolonging the effects of Restylane and Perlane in those areas.
Pre-Treatment Instructions There is very little that needs to be done prior to your treatment with the Restylane family of products.
- For one week prior to your treatment with Restylane or Perlane, avoid taking Aspirin, ASA, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (such as Ibuprofen and Advil), St. John's Wort, and high doses of Vitamin E. These agents may increase the risk of bruising and bleeding at the injection site.
- If you are prone to cold sores in the area to be treated, speak to our staff as Dr. Bertucci may suggest a prescription for an anti-viral medication in preparation for the treatment.
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10. Is it Painful?
Restylane is injected directly into the skin in tiny amounts using an ultrafine needle, resulting in minimal discomfort. The procedure is simple and convenient and the results are instantaneous. To optimize your comfort during the short procedure, Dr. Bertucci may decide to numb the treatment area with either a topical anaesthetic cream or with a local anaesthetic injection.
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11. What will I look like after the treatment?
Immediately after the treatment, you can expect slight redness, swelling, tenderness or an itching sensation in the treated area. This is a normal result of the injection. Redness generally resolves within a few hours while swelling generally disappears in a few days. After a lip treatment, the lips may become swollen and look somewhat uneven. This can persist for a few days and occasionally up to a week.
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12. How do I take care of the treated area after my treatment?
- During the first 2-3 days after your treatment, do not massage or rub the treated area. In order to allow the product to stabilize, try to avoid excessive facial expression or movement in the treated area during this time. If you have had a lip enhancement, avoid puckering your lips for the first 2-3 days after the treatment.
- Until the initial redness and swelling have resolved, avoid exposure of the treated area to intense heat (sunlamp or sunbathing) or extreme cold.
- After Perlane and Restylane treatment, there is occasionally some pain, swelling, itching or redness at the site of injection – similar to what you might experience after any injection. Although rarely necessary, you may take one or two plain Tylenol tablets, up to 3 times a day to reduce swelling and discomfort. Aspirin (ASA) should be avoided as it may increase bruising at the site of injection.
- Cold compresses or ice packs may be used to reduce any swelling or redness. Redness usually lasts a few hours and occasionally longer in some patients. Swelling in the lips may last up to a week, and the lips may appear somewhat uneven until the swelling subsides.
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13. When should I come back for my next treatment?
Evidence shows that having a follow-up treatment before the product has fully dissipated will enhance the lasting effect and may reduce the amount of product that is required. Please be sure to consult with our staff about recommendations for follow-up treatments.
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14. How much does Restylane cost?
The cost depends on the amount of Restylane that you require. A proper consultation with our clinic is required in order to determine what is right for you. Generally, the price ranges from $350 and up. Restylane treatments may be a tax-deductible medical expense, similar to dental and cosmetic surgery expenses, so make sure to keep your receipts.
There are a few questions you should consider in addition to price: What kind of medical expert is doing the injecting? Has the medical expert got a lot of experience injecting Restylane? Is the doctor gentle and does he use the latest techniques to ensure a great result? Dr. Bertucci is a recognized expert Restylane injector. In addition, Dr Bertucci regularly attends advanced continuing education courses and he teaches other physicians the art and science of Restylane treatments.
Please call our office at 905/ 850 4415 if you have any questions and to arrange your prompt, confidential consultation, or to schedule your treatment.
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