Restylane FAQs Columbus OH

• 1. What is Restylane®?

  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 or human derived 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 up to 24 hours.

• 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. My experience is that is lasts 5-6 months for most patients.

• 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, allergic reactions are so rare that it is felt that 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 that collagen. This makes Restylane® injections a little more painful than collagen injections. Sometimes a local anesthetic is injected into the area to be treated prior to Restylane® injections to reduce pain with the injections and bruising.

• 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 can reduce the risk bruising. Ice packs applied to the area after injection may also reduce the risk of bruising.

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

  At this time, Restylane® is only available in 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, 1.0cc of Restylane® is equivalent to about 1.5cc’s of collagen.