As their name implies, dermal fillers are injected under a wrinkle, crease, or area of volume loss and they “fill” in the depression, pushing the skin back upward. The most popular dermal fillers are made basically from hyaluronic acid. One of those dermal fillers is Restylane®. At Primary Aesthetic Skin Care in Bedford, NY, we carry both Restylane® and Restylane® Lyft.
What Is Restylane?
First approved by the FDA for use in the United States in 2006, Restylane® is the original dermal filler. Today, Restylane®, along with Juvederm®, are the two most popular dermal fillers in the world. Both Restylane® and Juvederm® have evolved into an entire line of fillers.
When dermal fillers are categorized, they are separated into “natural” or “synthetic” fillers. Restylane® is a natural filler. Natural fillers are made from primarily hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the human body that is responsible for hydrating, plumping, and firming the skin. It does this by binding with 1000 times its weight in water molecules. When Restylane® is injected beneath a crease, such as a nasolabial fold, the hyaluronic acid binds with nearby water molecules, adding volume and plumping the skin. This erases or substantially decreases the wrinkle.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Restylane?
The question of whether you need Restylane® or a neuromodulator, such as Botox, is the kind of wrinkles you want to target. If your wrinkles and lines occur on the upper third of your face, they are likely due to muscle contractions under the skin when you make expressions such as frowning, showing surprise, or squinting. These are known as dynamic wrinkles. These are crow’s feet, the 11s between your eyebrows, and forehead lines. Dermal fillers have no effect on dynamic wrinkles.
However, if your wrinkles and creases are on display at all times — things like laugh lines, barcode lines around your lips, parentheses lines, and areas of volume loss such as the cheeks — then Restylane® and other dermal fillers are the answer. This type of wrinkle is known as a static wrinkle. Static wrinkles are the result of sun damage, declining collagen production, environmental factors, and personal habits such as smoking. Just as dermal fillers don’t have any effect on dynamic wrinkles, Botox has no effect on static wrinkles.
Where Is Restylane Used?
The original Restylane® is still one of the world’s most popular dermal fillers. It targets marionette lines, nasolabial folds, and other wrinkles by adding volume beneath the wrinkle or crease and pushing the surface skin upward. Its results last from 6-9 months.
Where Is Restylane Lyft Used?
Restylane® Lyft adds volume to the cheeks and corrects smile lines. Lyft also can be used to replace volume loss on the hands (see below). Results last from one year to 18 months.
Can Restylane Lyft Be Used On The Hands?
In May 2018, Restylane® Lyft became the first dermal filler to receive FDA approval for use on the hands. It was approved to treat age-related volume loss on the back of the hands. Lyft is injected above the connective tissue that covers the tendons, bones, blood vessels, and nerves. Volume added here masks the appearance of these tendons, etc. due to thinning skin.
What Is The Difference Between Restylane And Juvederm?
These two fillers are very similar, but they are made by different companies. Different doctors have different reasons for liking one over the other, but the reality is they are very similar. Both are hyaluronic/natural fillers. Both have other extensions in their branded lines.
There are some subtle differences, however:
- Restylane® is a little more cohesive, while Juvederm® is a little smoother. This makes Juvederm® spread out a little more, and makes Restylane® a better choice for areas where it needs to stay right where injected, such as under-eye hollows.
- Because it is more cohesive, Restylane® can form lumps, but these can be worked out immediately.
- Restylane® is offered in two syringe sizes, 0.4cc and 1.0cc, while Juvederm® is only offered in 1.0cc syringes, so Restylane® can be purchased in smaller amounts if needed.
Juvederm® tends to last longer than Restylane®, 9-12 months versus 6-9 for Restylane®.
Are There Side Effects With Restylane?
Because hyaluronic acid, which naturally exists in the human body, is the basis of Restylane®, allergic reactions are exceedingly rare. The common side effects with all dermal fillers are swelling, redness, pain, bruising, tenderness, and itching at the injection sites after your session. Some patients have been known to develop headaches for the first day or two, but this is rare.
These side effects are typically mild, but may last for up to a week when treating smile and marionette lines. On the lips, they may last 10-14 days.
Occasionally, lumps will form at the injection sites. This is rare, but if it happens they can be quickly resolved by an injection of hyaluronidase. This is an enzyme that instantly degrades the hyaluronic acid, eliminating the lump.
Primary Aesthetic Skin Care is conveniently located in Bedford, NY in Westchester County. We proudly provide patients from Bedford, Harrison, Mamaroneck, Rye, Scarsdale and White Plains NY with Restylane® treatment. We also treat patients from neighboring CT cities, including Stamford, Greenwich and Ridgefield CT. Contact us at (914) 234-8670 or fill out our Contact Us form here.
