Fast facts

Restylane


What it is: A dermal filler (cosmetic injection) made of hyaluronic acid and FDA approved for treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds, marionette lines and lip lines. 

Restylane results last longer in facial areas that experience less motion, but generally, Restylane lasts about six months. Restylane is manufactured by U.S. pharmaceutical company Medicis Aesthetics.



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Question

Help! Too much Restylane in my nasolabial folds

I am freaking out. I had resty injected 4 months ago in the folds around my mouth - conservative amount - 1 syringe total. I went back today for a touch up because I thought I needed a bit more. I think Dr. went way overboard! I kept saying, "not too much"...she said it looked great. Ugh, I look like a freak.

I hope it's swelling, but I dont think it is all swelling...seriously, what do I do? I've been massaging it, but maybe that's not a good idea? What now? I cannot go in public. My husband is out of town til Friday so that is why I did this now.


Asked by: legna
san diego

Answers (5)

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1
October 10, 2008

Restylane/Widase

Michael A. Persky, MD
Michael A. Persky, MD
Board Certified
Facial Plastic Surgeon

Hi legna,

Hopefully by the time you read this your problem has resolved.  If not, excess Restylane can be dissolved with Widase, a hyaluronidase injection.  Hopefully you are better, and your husband is not a RealSelf.com reader.  Good luck and be well.

Dr. P

2
October 10, 2008

re restylane

David E. Berman, MD
David E. Berman, MD
Board Certified
Plastic Surgeon

i don't want to beat a dead horse, but agree with what the other drs wrote. relax and give it at least a wk for the swelling to settle.
good luck,
david berman md
nothern va

3
October 9, 2008

It probably is just swelling. Wait at least one week to make a decision.

Joel Schlessinger, MD
Joel Schlessinger, MD
Board Certified
Dermatologist

Restylane can end up having some swelling initially, so this is probably going to be just fine.  You can sometimes 'massage' it after the procedure, but I wouldn't do this prior to a week or two and usually it is best to go to your doctor that did the procedure for any follow up massage of the area. 

Lastly, there is a product called hyaluronidase that can dissolve restylane if it is too much, but in 5 years of doing this filler I have never needed to do this for a patient so it is unlikely that you will need to as well.

4
October 9, 2008

Take a deep breath and relax...

Richard P. Rand, MD
Richard P. Rand, MD
Board Certified
Plastic Surgeon

Restylane injections cause swelling from the injury of the needle placed into your tissues plus the fact that one of the natural ways Restylane works is by drawing fluid to itself and hanging onto it. The massaging right now is probably more irritating to the tissues than it is helpful. Use ice frequently for the next 3 days and then begin to gently massage again. The swelling will subside and you will see that it is not as bad as you currently think.

The second injection of a filler before the first injection has all gone away causes a more dramatic effect than the first injection. This is because the second injection is layered on top of the firm foundation of the first one and pushes the skin up more effectively.

5
October 8, 2008

Chill and Relax.........

Marshall T. Partington, MD
Marshall T. Partington, MD
Board Certified
Plastic Surgeon

First off...don't freak out! That will only raise your blood pressure causing the blood vessels in your skin to fill with more blood and draw more heat to the surface of your face.  The reason I mention this is due to the fact that Restylane attracts water and the warmer the surface of your skin is the more likely it is to react and hold water (this natural activity cools down the blood vessels).  The end result is that the Restylane in the nasal labial folds will draw from this supply, causing the injected area to appear significantly overfilled.  Try ice packs and relax . . . I can tell by the tone of your question that this may be a sensative subject at home, but trust that this is not an unlikely reaction to a follow-up fill! 

It's OK to massage - but make sure you have cooled down the NLF's first.  Good luck - It will settle down quite a bit in the next couple days.

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