What to do when Restylane won't dissolve?

I had Restylane injected under my eye area a year and a half ago. It has not dissolved on its own.

It seems to have caused some extreme heaviness in my cheek area that has cause my mouth to look like its pointing downward. The left cheek is much bigger and both sides look different. Also, when I smile the cheek pushes up so high into the eye area and causes so many lines under my eyes it looks terrible.

Can I use something to remove it?

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9 answers to “What to do when Restylane won't...”

A: You need a careful examination

By David Shafer, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Michelle, The Restylane should be completely gone by now. You really need to either go back to your original injector or seek out someone who specializes in injections and periorbital surgery. It sounds like you may need some type of intervention, but you need a complete evaluation prior to rushing into... more

A: Changes may not be due to Restylane

By Jeffrey Zwiren, MD - Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Restylane rarely lasts more than 12 months. If your Restylane was injected only in the lower eyelid area I would not expect it to spread out and cause other problems. If you have some lumpiness in the lower lid area then this could be attributed to your injections. I would agree that an... more

A: Go back to your physician and study your before and after photographs; Restylane is not the cause!

By Stephen A. Goldstein, MD - Denver Plastic Surgeon

Restylane is comprised of hyaluronic acid which typically lasts between six to nine months. After a year and a half, I seriously doubt that the changes you described are totally attributed to Restylane. There could be other things going on. I suggest that you go back to the physician who... more

A: Restylane is not the cause

By George J. Beraka, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

It sounds like you have a somewhat complicated problem that requires detailed examination. I doubt that Restylane is the culprit. Restylane would be long gone at a year and a half.

A: Something does not add up

By Robert M. Freund, MD - New York City Plastic Surgeon

You are attributing a large number of findings related to aging to an injection of Restylane more than a year ago. Even if the Restylane was injected around the eyes, in an off-label use manner, the Restylane cannot be the reason for the corners of your mouth turning down. The only filler that I have seen to... more

A: It may be that you didn't get Restylane, but another, more dangerous filler

By Joel Schlessinger, MD - Omaha Dermatologist

Restylane is a great product in that it is very easily dissolved if it is not doing what you want it to do, but my concern is that you didn't receive the real thing. There are many other fillers out there, some of which are very scary as they don't go away after 6 to 12 months and can even be permanent... more

A: Hyaluronidase

By Min S. Ahn, MD - Westborough Facial Plastic Surgeon

Hyaluronidase will dissolve any hyaluronic acid filler. Juvederm works extremely well in my hands, albeit as an off-label use, to treat the hollowing of the lower eyelids. Very conservative volumes are used.

A: Massage-Dont have any injections around the eye-extreme case surgical removal

By Brooke R. Seckel, MD - Boston Plastic Surgeon

I dont do filler injections around the eye-there has been a reported case of blindness following filler injection close to the eye I dont use hyaluronidase injections-some experienced doctors do-but I would not around the eye. I agree with Dr. Wallach- after a year most of what you feel as a lump is scar... more

A: Off-label use

By Steven Wallach, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Fillers in and around the eye are used in an off-label fashion. Because restylane is a hyaluronic acid product, some physicians are using hyaluronidase to dissolve unwanted restylane. This is also off-label use of this product. It may not help a year and half later, because you may have a... more

Comments

val lambros md
unregistered guest

2 Dec 2008

most of the above commentary is wrong. I have pictures showing restylane to stay below the eye for 3 years and going strong. In my experience it can be dissolved at any time and I have never recognized an inflammatory reaction unless there is an allergy to the product, which is extrememly rare and not at all subtle. Hyaluronidase works wherever and whenever there is a hyaluronic acid lump.

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