What is Restylane?
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring gel substance that binds water to cells in the skin.  Restylane is considered an excellent wrinkle filler because it is a safe, temporary, non-animal form of hyaluronic acid gel. Restylane is injected into the skin to plump out creases and lines. It is not to be confused with Botox® Cosmetic, which basically paralyzes muscles, and they work beautifully together as a team to decrease wrinkles. The most common areas of treatment are lips, nasolabial folds, smile lines and drooping corners of the mouth.

       Before                After

Are there any Side Effects?
Restylane has very few side effects. Mild bruising, the most common side effect, occurs in about 20% of patients. Restylane injections also tend to hurt a little more than collagen inections because collagen contains anesthetic. Less common side-effects  include allergies, cold sores, swelling and redness.  Allergies are very rare.  Some patients experience an infection or a cold sore due to the injection of the needle. Additionally, there maybe a little swelling after the injection, which resolves within a day or two.

What is the Cost of Treatment?
The cost of treatment depends on the amount used and the specific area of the face being treated.  A general ball park is between $500-$1,000 per injection.

Are there any facial areas that cannot be treated with Restylane?
Restylane is excellent for all areas of the face that have fine lines. For the very small vertical lines that bleed lipstick on the upper lip, Restylane Fine Line is used. For deeper folds extending from the nose to the mouth, Perlane, a denser gel, is used.  

Why is Restylane better than collagen?
Restylane is better than collagen because it is a smooth, clear gel and “flows” when it is injected and goes in very evenly. Most importantly, it can last six months or longer.

In one U.S. clinical study, Restylane outperformed a collagen-based substance by 6 to 1. Collagen can also cause allergic reactions. Because Restylane is a non-animal based gel created in the lab, there are rarely any allergic side effects.

For more information on Restylane, click here.