Restylane®

Restylane: What Is It and How Does It Work?

Restylane is a clear gel made of hyaluronic acid, which is a natural substance that can be found throughout the body. For cosmetic purposes, Restylane can smooth wrinkles and shape facial contours, and it works best on fine lines and medium wrinkles. 

The two most common areas for this treatment are between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) and the base of the nose to the angle of the mouth (nasolabial folds).

How Does it Work?

Hyaluronic acid helps to keep your skin plump and smooth. As you age, you lose hyaluronic acid, which, in turn, leads to thinner and more wrinkled skin. 

Restylane products are FDA-approved dermal fillers that you can inject into the lips or skin to restore a full, smoother appearance. In addition to adding hyaluronic acid, it also adds volume and stimulates your body's production of collagen.  

Our Procedure

Injectable fillers are much less invasive than surgical options. A doctor can easily give you an injection. We work with our patients to determine what they would like to achieve and identify the areas to target. 

Once we agree on a treatment plan, we will clean any area that you have identified for an injection. Once we provide you a local anesthetic to eliminate any potential discomfort, we will actually inject the appropriate Restylane product. Depending on how many treatment areas there are, your visit could be completed in less than an hour. 

Since this is an outpatient procedure, you can go home as soon as the process is completed. Your recovery time should be minimal, eliminating the need to miss work or any of your regular activities.

Possible Side Effects

While the procedure itself is fairly straightforward, as with any medical procedure, there are possible risks and side effects. Some short term possible side effects include bruising, swelling, redness, tenderness at the injection site, itching, and hyperpigmentation. Long term adverse effects can include ulcers at the injection site, visual disturbances, and late infections. 

How Long Does it Last?

The length of time that the desired results last depends on the product, the location of the injection and the depth/condition of the wrinkles that are being treated.

There are several different Restylane products to choose from depending on your goals. Each product has a different estimated longevity:

• Restylane: This is used to plump and smooth nasolabial folds and can last for up to 18 months.
• Restylane Silk: This product helps to plump your lips and smooth out wrinkles around your face. Results typically last for around six months.
• Restylane Lyft: Lyft can be used to treat moderate to severe facial folds and is also approved to be used in the hands. The estimated timeframe for results varies from six months to twelve months depending on the location of the treatment.
• Restylane Refyne: This product is best for the correction of moderate, thin or superficial lines and generates results can last as long as twelve months.
• Restylane Defyne: Defyne is a better option for deeper folds and lines and also lasts up to twelve months. 

It is important to note that most patients are able to achieve their desired results after one or two treatments, but your doctor can help advise on how much product and how many visits you may need. 

Why Have This Procedure at Your Dentist’s Office?

There are many different types of medical professionals and other occupations that can administer Restylane. Legal requirements for these types of procedures and who can perform them vary by state. Consequently, in some places, plastic surgeons, dermatologists, general practitioners, Registered Nurses , and others may legally be able to administer your Restylane.

With that said, dentists are uniquely qualified to treat patients who would like dermal fillers. Dental professionals routinely use fillers in restorative and cosmetic surgery and maintain specialized, unmatched knowledge of the head and neck. The education and training dentists receive make them the ideal administrators of Restylane treatments. 

When you are considering any type of medical procedure, it is important to select your provider with care. Follow these tips to select the right medical professional to administer your Restylane. 

Ask for their experience and education 

Just as you would want to be sure your barber has experience cutting hair, you want to know that the medical professional administering your Restylane knows what they are doing and has done it before. Medical training and experience can make all the difference in your results. Make sure that your providers’ credentials meet your needs so that you don’t take unnecessary risks. 

Request references

You wouldn’t trust your child or pet with a stranger without first contacting people who could vouch for their reliability, so it doesn’t make sense to take chances with your face. While some healthcare professionals may decline to give references due to patient confidentiality, it never hurts to ask.

Ask for before and afters

It can be incredibly helpful and informative for you to see actual pictures of your dentist’s prior work. This may be an indicator of his or her skill level and also give you a more concrete idea of the results that are possible when using Restylane.

Check medical review boards

When working with a dentist, you can perform a quick internet search to reach the American Dental Association (ADA) website, which will give you directions on how to contact your state’s dental boards. Within your state’s website, you can look for consumer complaints and check the status of your medical professional’s license.

Take a list of questions that you would like to ask.

Sometimes during an appointment, you may find yourself getting off track or simply forgetting important things you’d like to ask. To avoid this, make a list of your questions and concerns and take it with you to your first appointment. It can be helpful to keep this list on your phone, which is usually harder to misplace than a piece of paper.

Cosmetic procedures, no matter how minimally invasive, can dramatically change your appearance for better or worse. This is why is critical to understand the product that you are considering and trust the medical professional that will be administering it. 

If you are considering fillers of any kind, contact our office. We would welcome the opportunity to demonstrate our expertise and help you meet your goals.