Do Restylane Injections Stretch out Skin, Especially in the Midface?

asked 9 months ago by Cindy NYC in New York, NY
Latest answer by Alan Engler, MD
Question viewed 273 times
Tags: long-term, stretched

A dermatologist overinjected my upper cheeks. I am thin and have always had a thin face and liked it that way. Now my cheeks are too full. I am concerned that the Restylane has stretched out my skin and when the Restylane has metabolized and dissipated, my upper cheeks will be stretched out and I will now forever need these oversized Restylane injections to compensate for stretched out skin caused by these overinjections. (I am 40 years old and had minor but not excessive skin laxity.)

6 answers to Do Restylane Injections Stretch out Skin, Especially in the Midface?

Restylane - Do Restylane Injections Stretch out Skin, Especially in the Midface?

Well, yes - but probably to an insignificant degree. The way fillers work is to fill and thereby stretch out some of the skin (and subcutaneous tissues, including fat and connective tissue) that have weakened and/or sagged over time. So the very basis of their effectiveness is that they do stretch out the skin. The longer-ranged question, though, is whether they cause increase stretching that will then require increasing amounts of filler just to get to the same "look... more

Alan Engler, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Will fillers cause the skin to stretch out?

Risks of a procedure should be thought of in two ways; what are the theoretical risks and what are the real risks. Is it possible for filler to cause tissue expansion? Yes. Placing the skin under tension causes new skin to grow. Any woman that has had a baby understands this concept. Is it likely that filler will cause tissue expansion? No. The 1 ml of additional volume is just not enough to stimulate meaningful tension. Now here is the good news;... more

Joseph Campanelli, MD
Minneapolis Facial Plastic Surgeon

Stretching Skin With Fillers

Fillers do not stretch the skin in a way that is permanent after the filler absorbs. When the filler is injected, in is basically occupying an empty space and adds fullness to the area. When the filler absorbs or is metabolized, the skin goes back to the way it use to be. Good Luck.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

No good evidence that hyaluronic acid fillers actually stimulate collagen.

This statement is based on very thin evidence that looked at fibroblast activity while long before an HA treatment had dissipated. While the product is in the skin one might expect some minimal reaction. Whenever an electron microscope is needed to see something, it is not generally too meaningful clinically. The study in question did not look to see if this fibroblast reaction was sustained (unlikely) after the product is resorbed. On the other hand there is no... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

Skin won't stretch out after Restylane

Greetings Cindy~ Your question is one we hear often. Patients are often concerned that after injections with Restylane or another filler that the skin will stretch and then sag and fall like a deflated balloon. No worries....This won't happen. Restylane actually stimulates your own skin to make new collagen after injections so it will snap back. Many of our patients have actually found their skin (lines, wrinkles) is better after the Restylane has... more

Grant Stevens, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Restylane will help grow more collagen and enhance the skin

Luckily, the skin will not be permanently "stretched" from Restylane injections. The mild stretching that can occur from Restylane has been shown to stimulate more collagen production in your own skin! However, if you feel there is too much product in your cheeks and it looks puffy, it can be reduced in 24 hours with a simple injection of hyaluronidase. Best to you.

Carolyn Jacob, MD
Chicago Dermatologic Surgeon

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