Restylane: Forum
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Restylane side effects - what did you experience?

By Conrad in TXon 10 Sep 2009

did anyone experience side effects or complications from restaylane? please do share, it helps those of us considering getting this treatment.

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kn502 7 May 2013
Had Restylane to my chin just yesterday. Iced before & after. Doc used lidocaine in the injection with the product, I believe. I had a very small amount injected, absolutely no problems. Very slight swelling. Icing helps. It's the 2nd day, a tiny bit of bruising but it seems to be disappearing. The wrinkles I hated are nearly gone already & it's been under 24 hrs. I didn't lay down for 4 hrs. after treatment, slept as normal overnight, did not exercise after treatment, tho I will today. The doctor was great, very minimal discomfort at all, and no serious reactions. I am pleased so far. But after reading these posts, I do not think I'll do this procedure near my eyes. Doc has not suggested that anyway.
mahvashbell 21 Apr 2013

I bought hyaluronic acid filler restylane from china and 3 weeks ago I injected under eyes and chicks, after 3 weeks circle bumps appeared. please advise. thanks

mysecretself 18 Apr 2013

I have spent two days searching for reactions people have had because of my reaction. I've decided to take 5 minutes and do a write up for all women like me who are having a reaction and in a major panic about it. Here we go: I had Restylane last year for my laugh lines. I was 40. It lasted a year and 3 months for me before it was time for a second round. I had it Tuesday at noon. Same dose as before. I had a block put in before the Restylane. The only thing we did differently this time vs. last time was they put a topical numbing creme on, waited a while, did the block, waited a while, then got the Restylane. By late afternoon, I was completely and totally swollen. Like, blown up, like a ballon, swollen. By that night, I was itching, burning, and in so much swollen pain I was going crazy. I took a Benadryl, then Tylenol, and not very much relief. I finally caved and took a Vicodin. That helped with the pain. I was very miserable. I was icing every hour. I could hardly sleep. I was very miserable and hating myself for getting the procedure (I was in tears). My first experience with the product last year did not have those results, I had a weird smile for about a day, a little hardness, and that was it. It was perfect. This time I looked like a freak and was having so much itching/burning I was going crazy. Wednesday (the following day), I woke up at 5am and started icing again. Tylenol. Benadryl. I was still swollen (I think more swollen than Tuesday night). The itching/burning had subsided (still was some up until that afternoon, then died out). But I was completely blown up like a freak show. If you asked me to smile, I looked like the Joker. It was awful. It totally freaked me out. I heard about Arnica Montana on some blog (I was internet surfing like crazy with my symptoms...not a good thing, lots of horror stories out there) and rushed down to the store and bought both the cream and the pills to try to calm the swelling and prevent bruising. I slept that night with three pillows under my head to try to drain the fluid. I didn't have to take the Vicodin, but I did keep up with the Benadryl (I don't think that was doing anything, really) Tylenol, and the Arnica cream/doses. Today is Thursday. I woke up and felt my face. It had gone down in swelling about 50%. I started to see movement. When I smile, I still look like the freak Joker. But now not so painfully blown up. I made an appt with my doc first thing this morning in this panic. He thinks I had an allergic reaction to the topical which he thinks amplified the condition. He is very confident this Joker smile is totally related to the swelling, and will be gone in a few days, at max two weeks (no promises, but he thinks). So no smiling, I guess, in the meantime. If I had to do it all over again (trust me, this makes me think twice), here are my suggestions for those who care: 1. Make your appointment when you don't have to see one human for at least 3 days. That means no events, work, etc. If your face was as bad as mine was, you don't want anyone to come anywhere close to you. Better if you were able to escape to another planet for one full week. 2. Seriously, no IB Profin, Aleve, Advil (the vowels!) prior to the treatment, for two weeks. I didn't, but boy, this experience really made me get real serious about that real quick. 3. Take Arnica 2 days before the treatment. Get it at a local Vitamin store for under $10. Ice before the treatment. Ask questions (how much, how long, check the box for the product, etc.). Ask who to call in case there was a problem. I would come in with clean skin (no makeup) and make sure they clean you really well when they inject. Just one more variable to take out of the equation, if there is a problem. 4. Immediately after: Sit there and ice. For like 15 minutes. Wait a bit to apply makeup. Don't work out for 24 hours. Ice every hour for 5 minutes, if you can. Benadryl and Tylenol following treatment. Keep head elevated when you sleep. Drink tons of water. Keep up on your Arnica cream, medicine, etc. throughout the night. 5. The next day was the worst for me swelling wise. Keep up your medicine. Don't plan to exercise for another 24 hours. Ice all day if you can. Drink lots of water to flush things out. When you go to bed that night, elevate your head. For two days after treatment, don't do any blood thinners (IB Profin, etc.) just try to relax. Oh! And no rubbing, no moving the product. Just let it rest. You can make it worse rubbing it all around. 6. This should be your full second day. Like I said, my swelling had gone down 50% by doing as much as I could of the above. Still took the arnica all day and Tylenol. Drank lots of water. By the evening, I worked out for about 45 minutes...lightly, to start everything moving around and try to get these fluids out of me (and not cause bruising or additional swelling). That is where I am at right now. I'm fairly confident I'm on the way back to normalcy. Please, if you have a similar experience, call your doc (you paid a lot of money for this, it's worth the Followup), and try to keep calm. The swelling will go down. Every hour today it's decreasing. I swear the Arnica is helping. I look slightly normal, but no smile with teeth (joker!). Don't panic. It will get better. The doc said in two weeks, I will love the look, like I did before. Stay calm and carry on! I hoped this helped someone. I know it would have helped me!

jennybistro 17 Apr 2013
Hey, though I didn't go for restylane, my friend did it a few months back. Initially, it did bruise. Also, she had swelling and found lumps under her eyes after the treatment. But, she got it right after few weeks and now it's working really fine for her. It also depends on individuals' skin, as well.
MBAgirl 9 Mar 2013
i did a LOT of reading on sarcoidosis since i had so many symptoms - scholarly articles...personal youtube videos etc...i dont care if i have it or not - if the prednisone works i am staying on it for the recommended time. Day one on 40 mg prednisone i'm 60% better!
Sallify 9 Mar 2013
Do any of you who have experienced recurring swelling episodes after fillers to the tear troughs also have lumps and nodules when the swelling goes down? That is what is happening to me. My doctor now thinks that I am forming biofilms -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biofilm -- formations of bacterial colonies. Apparently, this is a risk from fillers. He is now treating me with antibiotics. He told me to give it a week to see if there is improvement in the nodules and swelling. If there is improvement, I will continue the antibiotics for 6 weeks. If not, he will try using Vitrase to dissolve the Restylane. Will keep you posted and report if the antibiotics help. Fingers crossed!
Sallify 9 Mar 2013
Here is what my doctor wrote to me regarding his suspicion of biofilms in my case: "I just returned from a meeting about a new filler Belotero. The lecturer reviewed potential complications and how to treat them. Nothing new to learn regarding the hyaluronidase. However, they did mention that not all nodules are granulomas, but may actually be a low grade infection called a biofilm. "So they did discuss hyaluronidase, but also suggested that the nodules may be due to biofilms. Did not know that or think of it for temporary fillers. Treatment is a six week antibiotic course of Avelox and Zithromax. This extended course of antibiotics will help "clean" the Restylane of the "biofilm" and may not need to be dissolved. "I do think that if we do dissolve the Restylane that the biofilm can't form on something that is no longer there and should resolve. The antibiotic will help sterilize the Restylane that is already injected. The Restylane in the smile lines were not affected which is a clue that you are not really reacting to the Restylane, so it may be simply that the second injection around the eyes may have been contaminated when I was injecting. "I always clean the skin with alcohol wipes, and repeat the cleaning until I don't see any make up, but the lecturer suggested to the audience to additionally use hibiclens which is surgical scrub I use prior to surgery. I have not had a problem with just cleaning the skin with alcohol, and I think most injectors do it this way. I suspect the lecturer may have had a biofilm patient and began to add the additional sterilization step to make it more like a surgery."
depressedgirl 9 Mar 2013
Thanks for the info. I also experience lumps and nodules after the swelling goes down. More recently I noticed a faint blue outline around these areas. Good luck with your treatment and please keep us posted.
Cosmetic Concierge 14 Mar 2013
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Trish V 5 Apr 2013

since i had restylane in forehead i have recurring bouts of swelling - bumps like i got hit in the forehead. it has been a year and still happening. today i have one of my larger bumps! my doctor says could be a reaction to the filler - just inflammation but it is very tedious. so when i did filler under eyes i didn't use as the molecule large. i used bolatero which is new and smaller molecules- not as drastic and won't last as long but no swelling as of yet and has been over a month

Christie Rockville 17 Apr 2013

sounds just like what Im going through-THANK YOU for sharing!

Bronte 5 Mar 2013
For those having the periodic swelling of the product, I asked the question to the doctors. Got several answers and one really made sense for me. Since it is swelling about once a month, just prior to my period. The water retention is being pulled to the product. I took some water shedding (over the counter) meds and that worked. All the male doctors had off the wall answers, a female eye doctor had it right and she said it was very common and that some woman just notice it more than others. This swelling is common. Basically, Restylane not the best product around the eyes.
Cosmetic Concierge 15 Mar 2013
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Bronte 15 Mar 2013
The periodic swelling has nothing to do with the injector. I can assure you that my doctor has years of experience and is well respected on this site. The bottom line is even if this product may be better than the some others, it is still not approved for use in the tear trough. For obvious reasons. People need to be aware of the risks.
Cosmetic Concierge 15 Mar 2013
Bronte- Yes people need to know the risks of any filler treatment. The eye hollows is very delicate, I had a horrible experience with Juvederm under the eye which was resolved with Wydaise and then re-filled with Restylane. It took 3 months for the bruising and swelling to reside. I also expereinced intermittent swelling from time to time. However, overall I loved how it looked. The filler lasted about 12 months under my eyes. Many Fillers and Botox are used "off label" in areas that are not FDA approved. Patients must do their homework, ask questions, see real before and go only to medical professionals that are skilled. Filling the eye hollows is a specialized skill and not all injectors are good at it. Consumers should be aware of the risks when doing any aesthetic procedures, as adverse reactions and scars can happen. I've been allergic to fillers and blew up like a blow-fish. Some people are just more sensitive to certain fillers. I can not use Perlane as I am sensitive to it, yet I have no problems with Juvederm or Resytane. Safety in this industry is so important and should come first. I hope your swelling gets better and yes any HA product hold water, so the answer about retention of water makes perfect sense. :)
annarowe 4 Mar 2013

I had restylane one week ago. Had major headache from one week out. Now also getting muscle twitches and heart palpitations. How long will this last should I have it removed. Email me please ****************.***

Cosmetic Concierge 15 Mar 2013
Sorry you have having these problems. If you think you are having an allergic reaction to the filler-it's important to see your doctor. Get medical advice from a medical doctor not a non- medical online forum.
MBAgirl 4 Mar 2013
I spoke to a pharmacist at Midicis Aesthetics about Restylane and Restylane-L.The only diff is the L contains Lidocaine. The ingredients are: Hyaluronic acid is generated by Strep bacteria (Restylane contains gram positive bacterial proteins) NOTE: "Hyaluronan (also called hyaluronic acid or hyaluronate or HA) is an anionic, nonsulfated glycosaminoglycan distributed widely throughout connective, epithelial, and neural tissues. It is unique among glycosaminoglycans in that it is nonsulfated, forms in the plasma membrane instead of the Golgi, and can be very large, with its molecular weight often reaching the millions.[2] One of the chief components of the extracellular matrix, hyaluronan contributes significantly to cell proliferation and migration, and may also be involved in the progression of some malignant tumors. The average 70 kg (154 lbs) person has roughly 15 grams of hyaluronan in the body, one-third of which is turned over (degraded and synthesized) every day.[3] Hyaluronic acid is also a component of the group A streptococcal extracellular capsule,[4] and is believed to play a role in virulence.[5][6]" Wiki *The Restylane L contains saline and lidocaine. Both products have the same adverse reactions, or as Medicis calls the reaction, allergic or hypersensitivity reactions, which are nausea and vomiting and headaches, and anaphylaxis (the only reactions that they state as know and expected). So basically what we are likely reacting to is either the Lidocaine or the Strep bacteria proteins, bcuz Hyaluronic acid is found in the body. The definition of a hypersensitivy reaction, which it is specified as the nausea, headaches, vomiting, according to Medicis/Restylane is: Reaction produced by the immune system, which includes allergies AND autoimmunity. It requires a pre-sensitized (immune) state of the host - So I am guessing this means since I had nausea right away with the injection, I was exposed in the past to one of the ingredients and was allergic to it before the injection, (Bacteria or lidocaine), OR that is what they want us to think...What if it causes an autoimmune disease, like gluten causes celiac disease? Consider getting allergy & antibody testing done for the gram positive strep bacteria and maybe lidocaine. FURTHER RESEARCH: The Hyauluronic Acid is chemically modified with unknown added ingredient-CHEMICAL SENSITIVIES? "Native hyaluronan has a relatively short half-life (shown in rabbits) so various manufacturing techniques have been deployed to extend the length of the chain and stabilise the molecule for its use in medical applications. The introduction of protein based cross-links, the introduction of free-radical scavenging molecules such as sorbitol [found in fruits], and minimal stabilisation of the HA chains through chemical agents [!!!] e.g. NASHA stabilisation are all techniques that have been used. Research Due to its high biocompatibility and its common presence in the extracellular matrix of tissues, hyaluronan is gaining popularity as a biomaterial scaffold in tissue engineering research. In particular, a number of research groups have found hyaluronan's properties for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine are significantly improved with crosslinking, producing a hydrogel. This added feature allows a researcher to form a desired shape, as well as to deliver therapeutic molecules, into a host. Hyaluronan can be crosslinked by attaching thiols (trade names: Extracel, HyStem), methacrylates, [PLASTICS] and tyramines (trade name: Corgel) [Tyramine intake has also been associated with MIGRAINE] Hyaluronan can also be crosslinked directly with formaldehyde [POISON] (trade name: Hylan-A) or with divinylsulfone (trade name: Hylan-B) [SYNTHETIC RUBBER]" Wiki
annarowe 8 Mar 2013

You seem very knowledgable on the subject. I am having problems with restylane. Please could you email me. *************.***

MBAgirl 9 Mar 2013
i did a LOT of reading on sarcoidosis (autoimmune) since i had so many symptoms - scholarly articles...personal youtube videos etc...i dont care if i have it or not - if the prednisone works i am staying on it for the recommended time. Day one on 40 mg prednisone i'm 60% better!
Cosmetic Concierge 15 Mar 2013
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Cosmetic Concierge 15 Mar 2013
Good info. Thank you.
MBAgirl 4 Mar 2013
Hi, According to the FDA, Adverse Reactions should be be reported by calling Medicis Aesthetics at 1-866-222-1480. Also review this FDA document regarding antibody testing: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/AdvisoryCommittees/CommitteesMeetingMaterials/MedicalDevices/MedicalDevicesAdvisoryCommittee/GeneralandPlasticSurgeryDevicesPanel/UCM252491.pdf
Sallify 4 Mar 2013
Thank you for this information! I had no idea. I will take action on both.
MBAgirl 4 Mar 2013
FDA document page 18/131 re: antibody testing... No problem, glad i can help! :-)

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