Spokane Valley Ears, Nose and Throat-Restylane

Restylane

The Restylane Family of products includes Restylane, Restylane-L, Perlane, and Perlane-L. These products can be used individually to add volume and fullness to the skin to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as the lines from your nose to the corners of your mouth (nasolabial folds).

Restylane is the trade name for a specific formulation of non-animal sourced hyaluronic acid most commonly used for lip augmentation. In the United States, Restylane has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for cosmetic injection into subdermal facial tissues.

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.

Restylane is a clear liquid gel, a non-animal-based hyaluronic acid (a natural sugar compound).

Step One: The doctor may first select one or more injection points for each location to be treated. Antiseptic is also applied.
Step Two: The doctor will then identify the correct amount of Restylane to be used.
Step Three: 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.

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.