The Restylane® Treatment Process

The Restylane® treatment is easily performed and readily available. Restylane® is an injectable gel that can be used to enhance already full lips or add shape to thin lips, as well as tighten the facial skin by filling fine to moderate lines and wrinkles. Taking care of yourself after receiving Restylane® injections is easy: aftercare involves keeping in mind only a few minor precautions to ensure you receive the most out of your Restylane® treatment.

Preparing for Restylane® Treatment

There are a few precautions to take before your Restylane® treatment. It is a good idea to meet with a physician to find out if you are a good candidate for Restylane® injections. You should stop taking aspirin and Vitamin E supplements before receiving Restylane®, as these can increase bruising or bleeding at the injection site and will also lengthen your healing time. Your doctor will advise you if any other medications you are taking could interfere with your treatment, and these medications should be avoided as well. If you have any other health concerns, make sure to share these with your doctor, as well.

One of the most attractive aspects of the Restylane® treatment is that it does not require a preliminary skin test. Because Restylane® is a non-animal-based filler and also colorless, there is very little chance that an allergic reaction will occur. This is good news for those who are interested in firming their face, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and adding volume to lips, but are allergic to the animal components that are found in most other injectibles.

How Does Restylane® Work?

The Restylane® treatment is performed at your doctor’s office and can take anywhere from a few minutes to a half hour and patients are able to return to work immediately following the procedure.

Prior to administering the injections, your doctor may choose to use a local anesthetic to numb the treatment area. Then, a small amount of Restylane® filler is injected into the skin with a very thin needle. Because the needle is so thin, there is very little discomfort associated with the injections. The hyaluronic acid molecules that make up the most important part of the Restylane® filler naturally draw in water and cause the tissue beneath lines and wrinkles to swell. This immediately fills out wrinkles and gives the skin a smoother surface. The result is a younger looking face in minutes.

Because hyaluronic acid is found naturally in the human body, it will be absorbed back into the body over time, and the effects of Restylane® will fade. However, a Restylane® treatment lasts longer than other cosmetic fillers, and re-treatment may not be necessary for up to 12 months.

Is Restylane® Treatment Painful?

Most patients describe Restylane® treatment as being relatively pain-free. The most common complaint is tenderness and redness at the injection site. An extremely thin needle is used to inject the Restylane® gel (smaller needles cause less pain than larger needles). A local anesthetic is often used to gently numb the treatment area, especially in the case of lip enhancement. Patients can leave the office immediately after treatment and, although they must be careful to avoid extreme sunlight and heat, they are able to return to normal activity the same day.

Your doctor may advise you to use an ice pack to reduce Restylane® side effects such as swelling and tenderness at the injection site. The discomfort associated with Restylane® treatment should subside within hours or days of the procedure. If it continues past this point, you should notify your doctor.

Restylane® Aftercare

Restylane® aftercare is simple and does not generally interfere with the daily routines of patients. Patients should avoid over exposure to heat and sunlight, as they might increase swelling and bruising at the injection site. Also, chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing, laser skin tightening, and other laser enhancements should be avoided as there is a chance that they may cause inflammation. Post-treatment pain should be minimal. A common complaint among those who have undergone Restylane® treatment is swelling, though this should subside in the first few days after the injection. Healing time varies from person to person, however, so some may experience redness and swelling slightly longer than others.

Doctors will advise their patients to avoid flexing their facial muscles in the area of treatment. Stretching your muscles can disturb the Restylane® gel. For the first 24 hours after treatment, it is best to avoid sudden movements in the enhanced area. For example, a patient who has undergone a Restylane® treatment for lip augmentation might be advised against excessive laughing, as this will stretch the surrounding muscles and may bother the Restylane® gel. As part of the Restylane® aftercare procedure, it is also advisable to use a cold pack as needed to reduce swelling and redness at the injection site.

Maintaining Restylane® Results

The results of Restylane® tend to last longer than other cosmetic fillers. Touchups may be needed after six months in areas that are more prone to movement, such as the lips. Also, some patients desire a touchup treatment during the first two weeks after their initial procedure. However, Restylane® injections last, on average, about eight to twelve months. After this time, you may choose to undergo another Restylane® treatment, and since each subsequent treatment tends to last longer than the previous one, your results can be easily maintained by seeing your doctor regularly. If you don’t choose to have additional Restylane® injections, the hyaluronic acid will absorb naturally into your skin, and leave no trace of a cosmetic filler.

The most important thing to remember about Restylane® treatment and other injectables in its class is that they are temporary and the effects will eventually fade. Although Restylane® lasts at least two times longer than other injectables, the most permanent solution to enhancing your face is plastic surgery.

Find a Dermatologist through DocShop

With DocShop, you can find a qualified Restylane® specialist in your area to give you tighter, younger looking skin. Restylane® treatment carries a low risk of complications and side effects, and Restylane® aftercare is simple and worry-free.