®
Below are links to the answers to some of the most
frequently asked questions about Restylane.
What
is Restylane?
Restylane is a safe and natural cosmetic dermal
filler that restores volume and fullness to
the skin to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles
and folds, such as nasolabial
folds.
What
is Restylane made of?
Restylane is a cosmetic dermal filler composed
of non-animal stabilized hyaluronic
acid. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance
that already exists in the human body and is used
to provide volume and fullness to the skin. The
hyaluronic acid in Restylane is a crystal-clear
gel called NASHA™.
NASHA is biodegradable
and completely biocompatible
with human hyaluronic acid.
What
should patients do prior to treatment?
Restylane requires no pretesting, but you should
take a few precautions before being treated. One
week prior to treatment with Restylane, avoid taking
St.John's
Wort, high doses of Vitamin E supplements, aspirin,
and other non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen.
These agents may increase bruising and bleeding
at the injection site. Also, if you have previously
suffered from facial cold sores, there is a risk
that the needle punctures could contribute to another
recurrence.
Is Restylane
safe?
Yes. Restylane has been used by dermatologists
and plastic surgeons since 1996 worldwide. Restylane
has a highly favorable safety profile. It's composed
of non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic
acid is a substance found naturally in the human
body. Restylane is fully biocompatible. There is
limited risk of animal-based disease transmission
or development of allergic reactions to animal proteins.
No allergy testing is required before use.* After
your treatment, you might have some redness or swelling.
This will normally last less than seven days. Sunbathing
and cold outdoor activities should be avoided until
any redness or swelling disappear. If you are pregnant,
breastfeeding, or under 18, you shouldn't use Restylane.
Precautions
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The safety of Restylane for use during pregnancy,
in breastfeeding females or in patients under
18 years has not been established.
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The safety of Restylane in patients with
increased susceptibility to keloid formation
and hypertrophic scarring has not been studied.
Restylane should not be used in patients with
known susceptibility to keloid formation or
hypertrophic scarring.
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The patient should be informed that he or
she should minimize exposure of the treated
area to excessive sun and UV lamp exposure
and extreme cold weather until any initial
swelling and redness has resolved.
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If laser treatment, chemical peeling or any
other procedure based on active dermal response
is considered after treatment with Restylane
there is a possible risk of eliciting an inflammatory
reaction at the implant site. This also applies
if Restylane is administered before the skin
has healed completely after such a procedure.
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Can Restylane
be used anywhere on the face?
Restylane has been used in more than 1.5 million
treatments in over 60 countries to correct a variety
of wrinkles. It is currently indicated in the U.S.
for the treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles
and folds, such as nasolabial folds.
How long
does Restylane last?
Restylane is proven to deliver long-lasting results.
Studies have shown that Restylane effects generally
last for about six months. The unique NASHA™
technology helps maintain the cosmetic effect until
the injected material is nearly gone.
How often
should I have Restylane treatments done?
Having a follow-up treatment before the product
has fully dissipated may enhance the lasting effect.
Please be sure to consult your physician about recommendations
for touch-up or follow-up treatments.
How is
Restylane different from Botox®?
Restylane is a natural, cosmetic filler. In contrast,
Botox is a drug that blocks nerve transmission and
relaxes the underlying muscles. Many patients have
been very pleased after receiving treatment with
both products.
How is
Restylane different from bovine collagen?
Bovine collagen is derived from animals (cow) and
requires an allergy test. Restylane can be administered
without pretesting,
so no waiting is required. With Restylane there
is limited risk of animal-based disease transmission
or allergic reaction.
Do the
injections hurt?
Restylane is injected directly into the skin in
tiny amounts by an ultrafine needle, resulting in
minimal discomfort. The procedure is simple and
convenient, and results are practically instantaneous.
To optimize your comfort during the short procedure,
your physician may anesthetize the treatment area.
The wait is over. Now that you have the answers
to some important questions, why wait? Restylane
is a safe, natural formulation, so there are no
delays for allergy testing prior to treatment. The
simple procedure can be done during your lunch hour.
And the effects are immediate.
If you would like to contact New York plastic surgeon
Darrick Antell about this, or if have any further
questions about BOTOX® Cosmetic or any of our
plastic surgery procedures, please use our contact
form.
Phone: (212) 988-4040
