Questions and Answers Restylane

Restylane is a range of products for facial aesthetic treatments made in Sweden. They are designed to effectively reduce the appearance of unwanted wrinkles, contour and create volume in facial features such as the cheeks, chin and lips, and to revitalise the skin. Restylane is a gel based on stabilized hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a substance that naturally exists in your body. The gel is injected into the skin through a needle or cannula by a trained Restylane practitioner (in the UK a Restylane practitioner is a medical professional such as Plastic Surgeon, Cosmetic Doctor, Dermatologist, Costmetic Dentist, or Aesthetic Nurse). .

Since 2010, the Restylane range has been extended to include a skincare range which can be used in conjunction with Restylane treatments, or as a skincare regime in it's own right.  

Hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule that exists naturally in almost all living organisms. It binds water and can act as a lubricant and shock absorber in movable parts of the body such as joints. It is also important for the transport of nutrients, regulating water balance and giving volume and structure to our skin.

A treatment with Restylane provides an easy way to enhance your looks. The result of a single treatment can be seen instantly, and  lasts around one year*. With Restylane you will achieve  a natural looking result that does not affect facial expression as Restylane is not a toxin.  Remember your face changes over time, Restylane allows you to control you looks subtly as you age.

Restylane is the most scientifically documented HA based dermal filler in the world with comprehensive studies that support its safety and efficacy. Restylane has been used in over 11 million treatments worldwide during the last 15 years.

* An initial course of Restylane skinbooster treatments is recommended for the best aesthetic outcome, consult your Restylane practitioner to discuss your personal treatment needs.  Duration can vary and is dependant upon your body's own metabolism, genetics, lifestyle as well as area treated.

Restylane resembles the body’s own hyaluronic acid, which reduces the risk of allergic reaction. Restylane is the most tried and tested HA dermal filler available today.  Restylane has long-lasting results, but is not permanent - allowing you to change your look subtly over time. It is clinically proven with extensive clinical documentation and has been the most widely used. Over 11 million treatments worldwide during the last 15 years have been preformed with the Restylane range.

Restylane products can be used to smooth away facial lines and wrinkles, create fuller lips and shape facial contours, such as cheeks and chin, and revitalise the skin.

The most common areas treated are:

1. Nose to mouth lines (the nasolabial folds)

2. Between the eyebrows (the glabella lines)

3. Lip enhancement (adding volume, shape and hydrating lips)

4. Cheeks and chin (shaping and contouring)

5. Back of the hands, décolletage, face, neck (skin revitalisation)

Discuss your treatment needs at a consultation with your trained Restylane practitioner.  For more information on which areas can be treated with Restylane visit our treatments to discover more.

» Our treatments.

By  boosting the skin’s supply of hyaluronic acid, Restylane revitalises and adds volume to the skin, instantly diminishing the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and giving a natural softer look. Restylane is a soft injectable gel consisting of stabilized (minimally modified), non-animal hyaluronic acid. The gel is tissue-friendly and closely resembles the hyaluronic acid that exists naturally in the body. It is long-lasting but not permanent.

Before

Start by making an appointment with a qualified practitioner. During consultation be prepared to discuss your  treatment expectations. After discussion of what you wish to achieve and assessment of your treatment needs, your practitioner will recommend which Restylane treatment is most suitable for you.

After the consultation, and if you are happy to proceed, your practitioner will help you complete a medical history form and you will need to sign a consent form before treatment can progress.

During

Restylane is injected into the skin in small amounts using a very fine needle or cannula. The gel provides natural volume to smooth away the appearance of lines and wrinkles, enhance facial shape, or create fuller lips. Restylane skinbooster products improve the elasticity and texture of skin, restoring and maintaining the skins hydrobalance.

The treatment is quick, typically taking about 15-30 minutes. Treatment with Restylane does not affect facial expression and the benefits can normally be seen instantly.

After

Restylane products are biodegradable, which means they will naturally disappear in the body. To ensure an optimal and long lasting result, a top-up treatment is recommended 6-12 months after your initial Restylane treatment. Discuss with your practitioner when a follow-up appointment may be appropriate.

After a treatment some reactions might occur, these include; are slight redness, swelling, itching, bruising, pain and tenderness. The reactions are generally mild to moderate and usually disappear shortly after injection. They typically resolve spontaneously within one or two days, but for some treatments they may last longer. Consult your practitioner if reactions persist.

First of all you should always contact a qualified practitioner (visit the Restylane Practitioner Finder to find one in your area) to be assured that the treatment will be performed correctly. For your safety, be prepared to discuss your medical history during your pre-treatment consultation to ensure Restylane is right for you.  You may want to request to see your chosen practitioners training certificate to ensure they are appropriately trained for the treatment they are providing.

»  Restylane Practitioner Finder

One of the great advantages of Restylane is that the effects are long lasting but not permanent. Duration depends on many factors, such as the individual’s skin type, skin condition lifestyle and age. After the initial treatment, follow-up sessions are normally recommended around every 6 to 12 months depending on the individual and the treatment.  It is recommended for a treatment with Restylane skinboosters that an initial course of approximately 3 treatments each spaced 4 weeks apart is given for the best aesthetic outcome, with a follow up session required 6 to 12 months afterwards. A lip enhancement treatment with the Restylane range lasts about 6 months.  Consult your practitioner for further information based on your individual needs.

Most people can benefit from Restylane treatment. If you wish to;

1. Reduce lines and wrinkles

2. Create more defined or fuller lips,

3. Define the contours and facial features of your face, such as chin or cheek,

4. Boost your skin’s vitality, for a healthier more hydrated skin tone (e.g.
face, hands, neck or décolletage)

Restylane should not be used in or near areas where there is or has been skin disease, inflammation or skin related  problems. Restylane has not been tested in pregnant or breast-feeding women, individuals with medical conditions that lower the body’s immune response or individuals undergoing therapy that is immunosuppressive may be more prone to infection by a skin injection procedure.

During your pre-treatment consultation, you should thoroughly discuss your medical history with your Restylane practitioner.

Many products in the Restylane range are now also available with 0.3%local anaesthetic lidocaine included for a more comfortable treatment experience. 

Generally, further pain relief is not necessary when injecting into the skin to correct lines and wrinkles.  Some people may experience the treatment as a mild discomfort. A local anaesthetic cream can be applied to the area for a more comfortable treatment experience.

The lips are a highly sensitive part of the body and, therefore, anaesthesia is usually recommended before lip enhancement. This is achieved most effectively by using a dental block or local anaesthetic. 

Your Restylane practitioner will be able to advise on suitable anaesthesia for your treatment.

More than 11 million treatments have been performed since the launch of Restylane in 1996. Product related reactions are rare. There are some injection related reactions which may occur after any injection; they typically resolve spontaneously a few days after injection to the skin, within a week after injection into the lips and within two weeks after injection with Restylane SubQ. These reactions include redness, swelling, pain, itching, bruising or tenderness at the injection site.

After lip enhancement, lips may swell for up to a week, but this typically reduces after two to three days.

In case of more pronounced reactions or if they last longer than a week contact your practitioner.

You should discuss side effects and post treatment reactions with your aesthetics practitioner.

Restylane is the world’s most tried and tested HA dermal filler available today. It is the benchmark for clinical excellence in its field. Its safety and effectiveness are clinically proven and supported by extensive clinical data. Restylane has been used for over 15 years and in more than 11 million treatments worldwide. Q-Med, the manufacturer of Restylane, continually invests in research and development.

Restylane consists of a range of different products designed to be used at different levels in the skin to meet your treatment needs and maximise your treatment results. Discuss with your practitioner during your pre-treatment consultation what products suits your needs best.

Only a medically qualified health professional should carry out a Restylane treatment (Plastic Surgeons, Cosmetic Doctors, Dermatologists, Cosmetic Dentists, or Aesthetic Nurses). Your practitioner should have undertaken a Q-Med recognised training course (ask to see their training certificate) for the treatment you are having.

If in doubt, please contact Q-Med (UK) Ltd, the manufacturers of Restylane.

Restylane is developed and produced by the Swedish biotechnology company Q-Med AB, with headquarters in Uppsala, Sweden, and offices all around the world – including in the UK. Q-Med has continuous research and development programmes where safety and quality are top priorities. Restylane has been proven to be safe, effective and long lasting, which is supported with the experience of more than a decade of clinical use and over 11 million treatments worldwide.

Q-Med AB is a division of Galderma SA.  For investor and corporate information please visit the following websites;

» Visit Q-Med

» Visit Galderma

No skin test is required as Restylane does not contain any animal-derived ingredients.

If you have recently had a laser or chemical peel treatment, it is recommended you wait until the area is totally healed and the skin is back to its normal condition.  Consult your Restylane practitioner for more information.

Q-Med has patented a unique technology, NASHA™, which stabilizes hyaluronic acid to make it long lasting, yet similar to the body’s own hyaluronic acid This means that Restylane treatment is safe and long lasting, minimising the risk of allergic reactions.

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