Restylane is a clear injectable gel composed of Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid (NASHA). It is produced by bacteria in a lab, stabilized, purified and suspended in a buffer.

2. How is Restylane different from Collagen?

Collagen is composed of animal protein while Restylane is made of sugar chains (polysaccharides). After injection, swelling occurs in the area treated. Most of the swelling from collagen injections is almost immediate and goes down in just a couple of hours. Following Restylane injections, swelling can last for 2-3 days.

3. Does Restylane last longer than Collagen?

For most patients, collagen injections last 3-4 months. According to studies performed by Medicis aesthetics, the company that produces Restylane, it can last up to 6 months.

4. Does any of the Restylane material persist once it is absorbed?

No. Once it is absorbed and degraded, there is no residual trace of injected material.

5. How does Restylane work?

Once injected into the mid to deep dermis (lower level of the skin), the gel adds volume to fill out skin folds and wrinkles, making them less noticeable. Since Restylane is a sugar, it absorbs water from surrounding tissues to enhance and maintain volume.

6. Is Restylane safe?

Yes. Restylane is fully biocompatible. Unlike bovine collagen, there is no need for allergy testing.

7. Is Restylane approved by the FDA?

On December 15, 2003, the FDA approved Restylane for cosmetic injections to correct moderate to severe facial folds and wrinkles.

8. Does Restylane contain any local anesthetic like Collagen?

No. Restylane contains no local anesthetic and is injected using a slightly larger needle than collagen. This makes Restylane injections a little more painful than collagen injections. Therefore, local anesthetic is usually injected into the area to be treated prior to Restylane treatment.

9. Should anything be done prior to Restylane injections to reduce the risk of problems?

Since bruising is a risk with any type of injection, avoiding aspirin containing products and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications for two weeks prior to injections reduces the risk of bruising.

10. Collagen is available in several different syringe volumes, how about Restylane?

At this time, Restylane is only available in 0.7cc and 1.0cc syringes.

11. How do Restylane injection volumes compare with Collagen injection volumes?

That is a difficult question to answer at this time. However, according to Medicis aesthetics, 0.7cc of Restylane is equivalent to about 1.2cc's of collagen.

The answers to the above questions are my personal opinions based on years of legitimate general surgery and plastic surgery training and extensive experience in plastic surgery private practice. They are intended to give you, the patient, as much knowledge as possible in making your decision about plastic surgery and who performs that surgery.

James D. McMahan, M.D., F.A.C.S.