How Long Can Open Restylane Last if You Are Getting Touch Ups?

In our practice, we don't save syringes.  There is a finite chance that your syringe could be mixed up with that of another patient, transmitting disease or infection.  This can occur due to natural human error even if samples are labeled.  If the doctor doesn't save syringes, that chance is...

Hi. In New York City, we don't save Restylane or Juvederm syringes once they are opened. The risk of contamination is not worth it, in my opinion. But doctors do it.

While we have not read the study Dr. Weiner references (that states the product will remain sterile for 9 months), we have a policy at our practice of not saving syringes. The first reason for this policy is the possibility for contamination. We are not in the business of storing partially used materials like this but rather injecting our patients. We encourage patients to use all of the product in the syringes and dispose of any product not used. The second reason we do not store syringes... more

Any physician or less who is saving Restylane is probably cutting corners elsewhere as well. The practice of 'saving' fillers is one that is fraught with problems ranging from the potential of mixing it up with other product to becoming contaminated. Even if it doesn't have any of these issues, just the concern of either of these is enough to keep most reputable physicians from doing this. Those that don't are skating on thin ice and if they are willing to flaunt the rules and... more

It is not recommended to "save" syringes. On occasion, if a patient uses less thatn 1/2 of a syringe, I will carefully label it and seal it and keep it available for about a week or so to allow the patient the opportunity to return if they think they need more filler. But, it is not my common practice. I usually use the full syringe on the indiviudal patient.

It is not our policy to save syringes.  In most cases, we are able to find other areas of the face where injection of Restylane would be useful, so that we do not waste material.  Also, Restylane and hyaluronic acid materials such as Juvederm tend to dry out pretty quickly after opening (days to weeks).

Each syringe contains 1 cc. This is a very small amount and I think it is much safer not to save the product and use it every time it is open. An expection might be a delay or a day or two for some unsual reasons. It is the potential for infection or switching syringes that worries me. Good Luck!

There has been a study on the sterility of opened Restylane. The study concluded that an opened Restylane syringe stays sterile for at least 9 months.

Restylane is FDA approved to be used once opened. I don't know of any studies that have looked at the longivity of Restylane once it has been opened, but would suspect that if opened but recapped and stored properly, it should last at least until the actual expiration date posted. Safe to follow FDA recommendations.

Although the manufacturer discourages retaining any un-used portion of a syringe, a lot of practioners will keep the "left-over" for you for later use. In these situations, you run a risk of having the product become contaminated and the potential for an infection. Likewise, there is some potential degradation in the potency of the product. Your best choice would be discuss your options for dealing with any left over following treatment with your physician. Another important... more