Restylane - Non surgical Anti Aging Facial Treatment
Restylane is a clear liquid gel, a non-animal-based hyaluronic acid (a natural sugar compound). Restylane is one of the newest injectable, non-surgical facial treatments designed to slow and hide the effects of aging. Restylane filler injections are composed of a clear hyaluronic acid-based gel that not only fills in lines and wrinkles in the face, but also adds moisture and lubrication to the skin, making it feel younger and more comfortable.The youthful appearance and elasticity of your skin is due to hyaluronic acid, found naturally in many body tissues. Youthful skin is rich in hyaluronic acid. As we age, the distribution and function of hyaluronic acid in our skin gradually change, leading to the characteristic signs of aging. Restylane, an injectable cosmetic treatment, uses hyaluronic acid to correct folds and wrinkles and other imperfections in the skin. Because Restylane uses a naturally occurring substance as filler, there is very little chance of an allergic reaction, such as occasionally happens with collagen. Restylane users can receive treatment immediately following consultation, if desired, rather than having to wait for the results of an allergy test. Over a half a million men and women worldwide have been successfully treated with Restylane since 1996, and its popularity continues to boom. In addition to low rates of reaction, Restylane (unlike collagen treatments) is acceptable to vegetarians, as it contains no animal products whatsoever.
Using Restylane, cosmetic surgeons can fill in facial lines and folds, correct acne scars, augment the chin, cheekbones, bridge of the nose, or nipples, and even treat small facial bone or hand bone defects. Restylane can be used in combination with Perlane to treat especially deep lines and creases, and does not prevent patients from receiving a face lift later on. The body will gradually break down Restylane and reabsorb it, requiring occasional touch ups to maintain the look achieved with initial treatment. Many Restylane users are pleased to learn that touch ups are only required every six to twelve months, depending mostly upon the area treated. (Collagen must be retouched every three to six months.)
Restylane is made in Sweden, a nation known for health, nature and beauty. Restylane is produced by Q-Med AB in Sweden under strict laboratory conditions to obtain a high degree of product purity. RESTYLANE has been available in Europe since 1996, and in Canada since 1998. Restylane filler injections are now marketed in the United States by Medicis, a leading pharmaceutical company that offers a wide range of other skin treatments. Since 1996, millions of treatments have been successfully performed in more than 70 countries worldwide to correct a variety of wrinkles, lines, and contour defects and to enhance the lips. Since 1996, dermatologists and plastic surgeons outside the U.S. have used Restylane to contour and restore volume to skin and temporarily eliminate wrinkles and facial folds. Additionally, in countries other than the U.S., Restylane is also approved to enhance the appearance and fullness of lips, although the safety or efficacy of Restylane for the treatment of lips has not been established in controlled clinical studies submitted to the FDA. Restylane is the first and only FDA-approved dermal filler made of a biodegradable non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA). Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in all living organisms and provides volume and fullness to the skin.
It was approved in the US in December 2003, for use in mid-to-deep dermal implantation for the correction of moderate-to-severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as the nasolabial folds.
Restylane is formulated as a clear gel and uses a dual mechanism of action to correct wrinkles and folds. Upon being injected beneath the skin's surface, the Restylane gel adds natural volume and lift to smooth wrinkles and folds. Restylane gel integrates into dermal tissue then attracts and binds to water molecules to help maintain volume. Restylane is gradually degraded by the body's own mechanism and disappears without any residue. Results can be seen immediately following Restylane treatment and last six months, or even longer.
Restylane is the smart and easy way to add volume and smoothness to your skin. Restylane is based on a hyaluronic acid gel that closely resembles the body's own hyaluronic acid. It is long lasting, but not permanent.
Restylane is injected just under the skin using fine gauge needles, and most patients find that they do not need any form of anesthetic, although when Restylane is used in sensitive areas or injected deeply (as when it is used for lip augmentation), a local anesthetic may be used. Possible Restylane side effects are similar to those for any injection: itching, redness, and swelling, and will usually respond well to mild pain medications and disappear in short time. Restylane takes under an hour to be administered, and patients may return immediately to their regular activities, although to maximize the results of the Restylane treatment, doctors recommend that patients avoid excessive movement of facial muscles for the first six hours following treatment.
Restylane presents a new option in treatment of facial imperfections, without the waiting period, risk of allergic reaction, or frequent touch ups demanded by collagen. The natural makeup of Restylane makes it easy for the body to break down over time, and allows nutrients, oxygen, and hormones to pass easily through the gel, encouraging the health and vitality of the skin. Specialized versions of Restylane are available, specific to the treatment of different facial and body areas.
Restylane is the first and only dermal filler made of crystal-clear gel called NASHA (Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid). NASHA is developed using a unique stabilization process that results in its long duration of effect in contrast to non-stabilized hyaluronic acid, which lasts only days to weeks, at most. As opposed to other hyaluronic acid products, NASHA is not derived from animal sources. It is produced biotechnologically by natural fermentation in a sterile laboratory environment. This significantly diminishes the risk of transmitting diseases between species or of eliciting allergic reactions in patients who are sensitive to common foods, such as beef, chicken and eggs. NASHA has been extensively researched for over a decade and proven to be safe and effective. Restylane does not require any allergy or skin test prior to injection.
Restylane enhances your natural looks by restoring your skin’s volume, creating softness and revitalizing your appearance.
Restylane gels work by enhancing your skin’s own stocks of hyaluronic acid, directly adding volume to either soften the signs of aging or enhance your features. The procedure is quick. It usually takes less than 30 minutes. The benefits can be seen immediately.
Millions of people have used Restylane with confidence. It is the world’s most widely used product based on hyaluronic acid for esthetic enhancement.
Restylane is long lasting but not permanent. Restylane gives you flexibility and control over your looks. Because your face changes shape as you age, you want to avoid a permanent look you might regret in years to come.
Restylane is nonanimal. In contrast to some other hyaluronic acid-based products, the hyaluronic acid in Restylane is not extracted from animals. This means there is no risk of transmitting disease or eliciting allergic reactions if you are sensitive to common foods, such as chicken and eggs.
Restylane is quick and easy. Restylane treatment usually fits in well with busy lifestyles, with minimal downtime, and gives results that can be seen instantly.
RESTYLANE lasts twice as long as collagen, no allergy testing is required, and it has an excellent safety profile. Results, however, are highly technique-dependent. The treating physicians must select the subjects and the type of wrinkle or crease carefully, with experience they can become highly skilled in the use of this filler.
Restylane provides volume by supporting the skin’s structure. Treatment benefits can be seen immediately and are long lasting but not permanent. Restylane works from beneath the skin to lift and smooth away lines and restore your skin’s appearance.
Restores fullness to lips
Restylane Lipp™ is specially designed to create the beautiful looking lips you desire. Whether you’d like to have softer, fuller lips – or just add a touch of volume in the lip border to give a more sculpted look – Restylane Lipp is the perfect treatment for you.Shaping facial contours
Enhancing facial shape and definition
Rediscover your cheekbones!
While there is no such thing as the perfectly shaped face, we do know that better definition of the central triangle formed by the eyes and lips enhances the perception of beauty.
With Restylane you can draw attention back to your cheekbones. By replacing lost natural volume in the skin, Restylane can create fuller cheeks, lifting the skin over your cheekbones to restore shape to the upper part of your face, or add emphasis to your chin to improve your profile.
Skin rejuvenation and hydration
Restoring smoothness to your skin
Restylane Vital™ is the latest development in skin rejuvenation and hydration, countering the effects of sun damage and the natural aging process of the skin. It improves skin elasticity, making the skin look hydrated and feel smooth to the touch. It is perfect for difficult-to-treat areas, such as the backs of hands or décolletage, as well as the face.
Restylane Vital provides deep dermal hydration, moisturizing from within to improve skin tone and health. It diminishes the fine crêpey lines caused by sun damage and the natural aging process and smooths the skin to give a plump and hydrated look.
The benefits of a Restylane Vital treatment generally last for several months and can be maintained by repeated treatment once or twice a year. However, there are no restrictions on how often you can be treated.
Restylane enhances your natural looks by restoring your skin’s volume, creating softness and revitalizing your appearance.
The most common areas treated are:
- from the nose to the angle of the mouth (the nasolabial folds)
- lips (enhancement)
- cheeks and chin (shaping)
- back of the hands, décolletage, face (skin rejuvenation)
- between the eyebrows (the glabellar lines)
Types of Restylane Fillers
Restylane treatments come in a few different forms, each of which is designed to treat specialized problems. All forms of the gel are based on the same kind of hyaluronic acid, but the sizes of the particles within them differ from one to the next. Restylane Touch has small particles and is used in the thin upper layers of the skin to fill in fine creases and age lines. Deeper lines can be treated with Restylane Perlane injections, which can also be used to add volume to features like the chin and cheeks. Even greater contour changing possibilities are available with Restylane SubQ, containing the largest particles sold. Restylane without any other word attached is the default version with intermediate-sized particles; this type of Restylane can be used as a lip filler or for the treatment of wrinkles.The Restylane Treatment Process
Restylane treatment is attractive in part because it is so fast and easy. The patient receives the injections in the doctor’s office and generally does not require any anesthesia (one exception: Restylane lip filler treatment is usually accompanied by a local anesthetic). The injections are applied over the course of 10 minutes to 1 hour, depending on how large the area to be treated is. Once the gel has been administered, the session is over and the patient is free to return to normal activities.Risks and Benefits of Restylane Injections
The benefits of Restylane are easy to see: the treatment is fast, minimally painful, and easy to recover from. Furthermore, the results last for months, and the biocompatible nature of the hyaluronic acid in the formula eliminates the need for allergy tests. There is a very small risk of side effects from Restylane such as contracting an animal-based disease or having an allergic reaction to the bacterial proteins in the gel.
Possible Restylane Side Effects and Complications
Based on thousands of clinical applications, Restylane-related complications have a very low rate of occurrence. Some common, but not severe, Restylane side effects include redness, swelling, tenderness, itching, slight bruising, and other minor discomfort at the injection site, but these side effects tend to disappear within days or hours of the procedure. Additionally, for those receiving Restylane injections in their lips, it is common to experience swelling. Because hyaluronic acid is found naturally in the body, there is little chance of an allergic reaction or of the body rejecting Restylane injections. Moreover, people with allergies to animal products do not have to worry about Restylane complications due to an allergic reaction and no pre-test is required.General Health Concerns
Though Restylane has been available and readily used in Europe since the early 1990s, it wasn’t approved by the FDA for use in the United States until 2003. As such, though there have been thousands of application-related studies, Restylane related complications and side effects have not been evaluated for those who are:- Pregnant
- Breastfeeding
- Under 18 years of age
- Prone to keloid formation (overgrown scars that appear at the site of a healed skin injury)
- Prone to hypertrophic scarring (scars that appear as raised red lines at the site of a healed skin injury)
In addition, care should be taken to avoid excessive heat and sunlight following a Restylane treatment. Also, those considering a laser treatment or chemical peel after receiving Restylane injections or who have had a laser treatment or chemical peel and have not completely healed should be advised that there is a potential risk of inflammation at the injection site.
For those who are in good health, Restylane is a quick and cost effective way to plump lips and remove fine lines and wrinkles from the face. It is safe, with a very low risk of complications or side effects. Your plastic surgeon or cosmetic dermatologist can help you decide if you are a good candidate for Restylane injections, and will address any additional concerns you might have.
Restylane offers many benefits and has a very low risk of complications. Though Restylane has side effects that are similar to other injectables, such as redness or inflammation at the injection site, it also has the advantage of being generally less expensive, with results that can last up to twice as long.
Restylane Benefits
Restylane offers patients a wide range of benefits, including a more youthful appearance. Restylane can be used to fill minor to moderate lines and wrinkles and is especially effective around the eyes, nose, and mouth. When used as a lip enhancement product, it can lend volume and definition to lips, producing a sensual, more pronounced pout. Because the hyaluronic acid utilized is not derived from animal tissue, Restylane does not create complications for those with animal allergies and tends to be more comfortable than alternative filler products that use animal tissue. Perhaps most importantly, the results of Restylane treatments are completely natural looking and long lasting. The cost of Restylane is also affordable, though there are options available for those who wish to finance their Restylane cosmetic procedure.In the time it takes you to shower, your plastic surgeon or cosmetic dermatologist can make you look years younger with Restylane injections. Many patients undergo the Restylane treatment process during their lunch hour and are able to return to work immediately after the procedure with a youthful glow. Patients and doctors praise Restylane for its low risk of side effects, and since each subsequent treatment lasts longer than the previous one, regularly scheduled appointments can help you maintain your results for years to come.
For smoothing wrinkles, sculpting lips, and improving other facial features, Restylane injections are a growing favorite. Approved by the FDA in December 2003, Restylane can produce positive results on facial wrinkles, particularly around the mouth and nose. Another benefit is the long-lasting results, as the effects of Restylane treatments can last six months or more.
The Restylane Procedure
Restylane injections are administered in the doctor's office, typically for patients aged 35 to 60. It is most often performed with local anesthesia, especially if the lip is being treated. Since Restylane contains no lidocaine like collagen, patients may experience some pain and discomfort from the needle during injection. Depending upon the extent of the treatment, the procedure can take from a few minutes up to 30 minutes. Patients return home shortly after the procedure.Results are fully evident within one week. Restylane has a success rate for reducing or eliminating deep wrinkles that cannot be accomplished with other procedures such as chemical peels or microdermabrasion.
Recovery after Restylane Treatment
Swelling may be pronounced, lasting for two or three days. Normal activities can be resumed immediately, though patients are advised to stay out of the sun. Unmanageable pain, as well as symptoms that are progressive or abnormal, should be reported to the doctor immediately.Restylane treatments reduce wrinkles by about 80 percent. Restylane is a temporary solution and follow-up treatments may be needed.
Complications and Risks of Restylane
The most common side effects of Restylane include headache, nausea, flu-like symptoms, redness, and pain at the injection points. Infrequently, patients experience muscle weakness, which resolves itself within days, or in some cases, months after the procedure.
Your doctor should help you understand the possible complications and remedies during your initial consultation.
Alternative and Additional Treatments
There may be alternative treatment options, depending on your condition. Other minimally invasive procedures include Botox and fat fillers. For severe signs of aging, surgical procedures may be more appropriate, such as a facelift, forehead lift, and eyelid surgery. Your doctor may recommend additional treatments in conjunction with Restylane, such as chemical peel, laser skin resurfacing, or microdermabrasion.
Schedule for an appointment by calling or emailing us and Dr. DeVera will discuss with you the treatment process. This free consultation will help you learn more about how Restylane works and also the cost and the necessary preparations you will need for your Restylane treatment. Just imagine how you would look with less wrinkles and a youthful face!
Laser, Beauty and Wellness Center at Orange County Medical Spa is only a few minutes away from cities such as Anaheim, Buena Park, Cerritos, Garden Grove, Irvine and Tustin. Our facility is the ideal place to go for your non-surgical medical cosmetic procedure and aesthetic spa treatment if you live in or near Orange County.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Restylane
What is Restylane?
Restylane is a clear, non-animal-based, biodegradable gel that is composed of hyaluronic acid, which occurs naturally in the body. Restylane is created from tissue cultivated in a laboratory, and is an excellent alternative to other fillers such as collagen and Hylaform, which are both derived from animal products.
Who makes Restylane?
Restylane is produced by Q-Med AB. Q-Med is a Swedish biotechnology/medical device company with headquarters in the city of Uppsala, near Stockholm, and offices all around the world. After a decade of clinical use, more than 10 million treatments worldwide, continuous research and safety as top priority, Restylane has today been proven to be safe, effective and long lasting. The company continues to invest in research and development in the interests of further improving patient safety.
What are the benefits of Restylane?
Restylane can instantly soften telltale aging lines or improve your looks by enhancing your natural features, such as your cheeks or lips. RESTYLANE restores volume, improves skin elasticity, and smooths niggling lines and imperfections. Long lasting but not permanent, Restylane allows you to stay in control of your looks.
Is Restylane safe?
Restylane safety and efficacy is proven beyond a doubt, with robust clinical data spanning a decade. Adverse reactions to Restylane are rare. Because Restylane is natural, the uniquely produced hyaluronic acid gel of Restylane closely resembles natural hyaluronic acid. This reduces the risk of an inflammatory reaction or other side effects.
What are the precautions of using Restylane?
Restylane should not be used in or near skin sites where there are or have been active skin disease, inflammation or related conditions. Nor should it be injected into an area where a permanent implant has been placed. Restylane has not been tested in pregnant or breast-feeding women.
Who are ideal candidates for Restylane Treatment
Restylane requires only a few injections and no incisions or removal of tissue, so the risk of complications is quite low. That in turn means that almost anyone who would like to reduce the prominence of their facial lines and wrinkles can be a candidate for Restylane treatments. Those allergic to avian-based hyaluronic acid treatments can safely use Restylane, since it is derived from bacterial origins. Those with a history of allergy to bacterial protein, though, should not use the product.
How is Restylane applied?
First, the doctor may first select one or more injection points for each location to be treated. Antiseptic is also applied.
Second, the doctor will then identify the correct amount of Restylane to be used.
Third, the Restylane filler is then injected beneath the skin. Hyaluronic acid in the filler adheres to the skin as the water contained in the acid helps to retain volume under the skin's surface. The acid acts as a magnet for water, which helps to preserve the renewed volume of the skin.
How long does Restylane treatment effect last?
One of the great advantages of Restylane is that the effects are long lasting but not permanent. You are always in control of your looks.
Facial lines and facial shaping: follow-up treatment is usually needed after 6-12 months
Lip enhancement: follow-up treatment is normally needed in about 6 months
Skin rejuvenation and deep hydration: after the initial intense treatment of 3 treatment sessions every 2-3 weeks, follow-up sessions are normally recommended around every 6 months
Duration depends on many factors, such as skin type, lifestyle, age, the degree of perfection demanded by the patient and the injection technique of the practitioner.How safe is Restylane?
Restylane is one of the most tried and tested dermal fillers available today. It is the benchmark for clinical excellence in its field. Its safety and efficacy are clinically proven and supported by robust clinical data, spanning 10 years. Research and development is continuous.
What does Restylane treatment involve?
Restylane is injected into the skin in small amounts using a very fine needle. The gel provides hydration and structure and gives natural volume to smooth away the appearance of lines, enhance facial shape, or create fuller lips.
The treatment is very quick and often takes less than 30 minutes. The treatment benefits can normally be seen instantly and Restylane does not affect facial expression. No skin test is required because Restylane does not contain any animal-derived ingredients.
What areas can be treated?
Restylane treatments can be used to smooth out facial lines, create fuller lips and shape facial contours, such as cheeks and chin. It is a subtle approach to enhancing looks naturally.
How does Restylane work?
Restylane is a crystal-clear gel produced biotechnologically using stabilized, nonanimal hyaluronic acid and water. The hyaluronic acid is a tissue-friendly substance closely resembling the hyaluronic acid that occurs naturally in the body. By replenishing nature’s supply of hyaluronic acid, Restylane revitalizes and plumps up the skin, instantly diminishing the appearance of lines and giving a softer look.
Does Restylane treatment hurt?
Some people may experience the treatment as a mild discomfort. A local anesthetic cream is often used. Another form of anesthesia, a dental bloc, is used to numb the area when enhancing lips.
Can Restylane be used if I have had laser treatment or a chemical peel?
If you have recently had some kind of cosmetic treatment, it is recommended you wait until the area is totally healed and the skin is back to its normal condition. This usually takes 4 to 6 weeks.
Is there any downtime with Restylane?
You can expect slight redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, itching and/or bruising following Restylane treatment. This is the same as you might expect with any type of injection. However, the discomfort is temporary and generally disappears after a few days. With lip enhancement, it is wise to choose your treatment time with care since your lips may become swollen and appear slightly uneven for a few days.
Are there any risks with Restylane?
More than 6 million treatments have been carried out since the launch of Restylane in 1996. Some common injection-related reactions might occur after a Restylane injection; they typically resolve spontaneously within one or two days after injection. These reactions include redness, swelling, pain, itching, bruising or tenderness at the injection site. Inflammatory reactions may last for up to two weeks in rare cases. After a lip enhancement, your lips may be swollen for several days.
How much does Restylane cost?
Compared to more invasive cosmetic surgery procedures, Restylane injections are very affordable. The total cost may be somewhat higher depending on how many treatments are required to give the patient the desired result.
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Laser, Beauty and Wellness Center - Orange County's Medical Spa also offers Acne Treatment, Laser Hair Removal , Restylane, Juvederm, Photorejuvenation and Microcurrent holistic approach.
Laser, Beauty and Wellness Center - Orange County's Medical Spa is conveniently located in Orange County CA. We are a few miles away from Anaheim, Buena Park, Cerritos, Garden Grove, Irvine and Tustin.

