Restylane ® - Dermal Fillers
It is manufactured by Q-Med and was launched in 1996 for the UK market and is a Hyaluronic Acid based dermal filler. It is believed to be one of the most popular brands in the UK with most practitioners approving its use in treating patients with different medical conditions of the face. Since its introduction 16 years ago it has been used by over 15 million people across the world, with additional product range formulations being developed with different sizes of gel particles for use in certain areas of the face. Restylane® Lidocaine and Restylane® Perlane are available as of 2009 with an additional 0.3 per cent of lidocaine.
It is a non-animal stabilised hyaluronic acid gel (NASHA) and made through the process of streptococci bacteria fermentation. It does not require any tests before treatment is administered. The hyaluronic acid, once the substance is injected into the body, breaks down gradually and will finally leave the treated area with no trace being left of the filler. This means that the product is temporary in application and only lasts for a limited amount of time.
The product ranges are mainly Restylane, Perlane and Touch. Restylane works best when injected into the middle skin layer, which is the middle layer of the dermis and used for lip enhancement and treatment of moderate wrinkles, enabled by the presence of medium sized gel particles. Perlane is large in gel particle size and suitable for facial contouring, lip enhancement and deep lines. It is advisable to inject it into the deep layer of the skin. Touch is the smallest of all in terms of particle size and is best for very thin superficial lines, with injections taking place right into the upper section of the dermis.
Other formulations in the product range include Lip Refresh and Lip Volume for the lip area and Restylane Sub Q which is a type of filler which provides volume to the midface or to sculpt the jawline or chin area for a more symmetric look as well as to reform the eyebrow and temple areas. Restylane products target treatment areas like the neck, face, décolletage and hands. The hyaluronic acid which is lost due to ageing can be replaced by the application of this formula. The duration of results is a few months but this will generally depend on the practitioner, type of filler, amount required and the area of administration. If used with a follow-up treatment, Restylane effects can last for up to 18 months but this depends on the filler used, the area treated and each individual receiving the treatment. They are temporary fillers and therefore the body will break down the filler over time until there is no trace of filler left in the body.
Side-effects that have been reported are usually very minor bruising and some swelling which should settle down 1-4 days after the treatment has been carried out. Serious side effects can include skin colour changes and nodules as well as over and under corrections. These kinds of side-effects should not occur when using an experienced, highly trained practitioner. The costs are in the range of £250 to £400 for every treatment.
