The Restylane line of injectable fillers temporarily adds volume to plump lips, lift cheeks, smooth wrinkles, fill in scars and under-eye hollows, and rejuvenate aging hands.Â
The primary ingredient in Restylane fillers is hyaluronic acid (HA), a substance found naturally in the skin that attracts and holds water to help keep skin plump and hydrated.Â
Because it creates less swelling than other HA fillers, Restylane is also a preferred filler for tear troughs under the eyes—one of the most difficult areas to inject well.
Each filler in the Restylane family is formulated to have a specific texture, density, and injection depth, so it works best for certain areas and purposes.Â
Related: Restylane Contour Is a New Cheek Filler With Some Unique Distinctions
An experienced injector will recommend the right type or combination of filler to create the most natural-looking results.
RealSelf Tip: Fillers can and often should be used in conjunction with other procedures to get the best results. Generally speaking, neuromodulators, like Botox and Dysport, make a great combination for same-time injection.
Related: Which Fillers Work Best Where? Dermatologists Break It Down
Restylane is sold by the area or by the syringe. Doctors on RealSelf say you’ll likely pay $500 to $700 for one syringe.
Usually, one syringe (about 1 cc) of Restylane will be enough for a lip augmentation. It may take up to two syringes to fill nasolabial folds, depending on how deep they are.Â
You can finance your treatment with CareCredit.
The Restylane photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.
Pros
Cons
Restylane fillers have a hyaluronic acid gel formula that attracts and retains water, which adds long-lasting volume beneath the skin. This smooths facial wrinkles and gives the skin a plumper, more youthful look.
That the in-office treatment itself is relatively easy. Generally speaking, your appointment will take less than an hour and you’ll experience the following:
RealSelf Tip: To minimize bruising, stop taking blood thinners (including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) like aspirin, naproxen, and ibuprofen), as well as fish-oil supplements two weeks ahead of your appointment for any injectable filler. It’s also smart to avoid alcohol for a few days beforehand.
Related: The Treatments and Ingredients Actually Proven to Reduce Wrinkles
Both options are hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, with a range of formulas that can target different areas of the face, including the cheeks, eyes, and mouth. The biggest difference between Restylane and JuvĂ©derm is the texture.Â
In addition to the texture differences, these two popular fillers have a few specific perks to each of them as well. For example, Restylane Contour features the brand’s proprietary XpresHAn Technology, which allows the filler’s gel to integrate into the skin in a way that promotes more natural movement.
On the other hand, the Juvéderm portfolio features Volbella XC, which recently became the first dermal filler to be FDA-approved to fill in tear troughs and reduce the appearance of dark circles.
When it comes to the longevity of each filler type, some Juvéderm formulas are slightly longer-lasting: up to 18 months, compared to up to 12 months for Restylane.
Social downtime is usually minimal after any injectable treatment, but your recovery will depend on how your skin heals, the number of injections, their locations, and the skill of your injector.Â
To minimize swelling and bruising, avoid alcohol, strenuous exercise, and too much sun or heat for a few days after your treatment.
Applying ice immediately after the procedure also helps minimize bruising. Some providers also advise patients to take oral arnica, beginning three days before injections and then post-treatment for three days, or until bruising fades.
Related: Injectable Bruises? Been There. Here’s How to Handle Them Without Hiding Out
Fillers create an instant result, but Dr. David Stoker, a Los Angeles–based plastic surgeon, says you should “give the product two weeks to settle fully and allow swelling to resolve” for your final results to become apparent.
Some providers offer complementary adjustments at that point, to correct minor issues like asymmetry. You can also return for more volume if the change isn't as dramatic as you'd hoped, though you can expect an added cost.Â
Your results will only be as good as your injector’s skill level, so find an experienced provider whose aesthetic matches yours. Â
Restylane results should last anywhere from 6–12 months before your body metabolizes the filler enough that you’ll need another injection (a “top-off,” in injectables lingo).Â
How long your results last will depend on the exact product, treatment area, and how your body responds.
Usually, the higher a filler’s “G prime” (a measure of its ability to lift tissues), the longer it will last. Different Restylane formulas have different G primes, with Restylane Silk having the lowest and Lyft at the highest. Filler also tends to endure longest in areas with thinner skin and not much movement, such as under the eyes, while lip filler often dissolves more quickly.
Torrance, CA facial plastic surgeon Dr. Harold J. Kaplan adds, “In most patients, we see Restylane duration of three to four months in the lips, four to six months in the nasolabial folds (smile lines at the side of the nose to corners of the mouth), and six to eight months under the eyes (tear troughs for dark circles or bags).”
Related: How to Make Your Lip Filler Results Last as Long as Possible
Bruising, redness, tenderness, and swelling at the injection site are common side effects of Restylane, but they usually resolve within a week.Â
You may also get some lumps, which you can gently massage to help them smooth out. If the lumps last more than two weeks, see your injector.Â
Restylane is considered very safe, but if the filler accidentally gets injected into a blood vessel it can cause serious complications, like blindness and skin necrosis (tissue death from disruption of blood flow).
One 2017 study reported nine cases of vision loss in a three-year period after HA filler injections, and others have reportedly occurred since. Injections around the eyes and nose tend to have the highest risk of complications.Â
An experienced injector with intimate knowledge of facial anatomy—ideally a plastic or facial plastic surgeon—should have the skill to mitigate this risk in these delicate areas.
This is a common misconception, but there's no evidence that getting dermal fillers accelerates aging. In fact, one study even found that Restylane injections can stimulate your body’s own natural collagen production, helping skin look and act younger.Â
That being said, fillers can give you an unnatural appearance when overdone or performed by an inexperienced provider. This can contribute to someone believing that they look older after undergoing filler treatment.
Other HA fillers include the Juvéderm family of products, the newer RHA Collection, and Belotero.
Fillers not made from hyaluronic acid can produce longer-lasting effects because they stimulate your natural collagen production, but they have the disadvantage of not being dissolvable if there’s a complication or you don’t like your results. Treatment options include:
Hruza G.J., Restylane Stimulates Collagen Production (2007)
Joo H.J., Woo Y.J., Kim J.E., Kim B.J., Kang H., A Randomized Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Lidocaine-Containing Monophasic Hyaluronic Acid Filler for Nasolabial Folds (2016)
Yazdanparast T.,  Samadi A., Hasanzadeh H., Nasrollahi S.A., Firooz A., and Kashani M.N., Assessment of the Efficacy and Safety of Hyaluronic Acid Gel Injection in the Restoration of Fullness of the Upper Lips (2017)
Updated June 30, 2022