This article has been medically reviewed by Bloomfield Hills, MI board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ellen Janetzke.
A popular line of injectable fillers found in many dermatologists’ offices, Restylane is formulated with hyaluronic acid (a naturally occurring substance found in the skin) and is used to treat fine lines and create volume. The Restylane family of products includes Restylane Silk, for lip enhancement, lines around the mouth, and under-eye hollows; Restylane Lyft, for the cheeks and hands; Restylane Defyne and Refyne, for the laugh lines and marionette lines; and the newest to get FDA approval, Restylane Kysse, for the lips. With so many options, it can be confusing to know which is right for your needs. Below, you’ll find 11 things our RealSelf community wishes they knew before trying Restylane, plus expert advice from two board-certified dermatologists.
1. What is Restylane treatment like?
Experiences vary—for some people, there is a little bit of pain; for others, it’s just a quick pinch. “Restylane, like other dermal fillers, is relatively painless, but I always give my patients numbing cream to apply one hour before their injections, to minimize any discomfort,” says Dr. Michele Green, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “There is numbing [lidocaine] in the Restylane syringe itself, which helps ease any discomfort. Depending on the treatment area and the number of syringes, the procedure can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes.”
2. Where can Restylane be injected?
Restylane filler can be injected in many areas throughout the face. “Restylane is a very versatile product and can be injected into the lips, nasolabial area, cheeks, temples [and] neck lines and for hand rejuvenation,” says Dr. Green. Injecting Restylane under the eyes is also common and is used to treat any volume loss in the tear trough area. “I love using Restylane because it has very little swelling after injections and the results are immediate,” says Dr. Green. Doctors use Restylane off label for many purposes, which is generally considered safe in the hands of an experienced, board-certified provider.
3. After a Restylane injection, there may be some bruising and swelling.
For a few days to two weeks after your Restylane filler injection, there will be bruising and swelling, so plan ahead and prepare for a short downtime period. “Most of my patients experience very minimal swelling or bruising after Restylane,” says Dr. Green. “If you are prone to either, I would suggest you not plan on having the injections before any party or event.”
4. There are ways to minimize downtime after Restylane.
Although there might be some bruising and swelling involved post-treatment, there are still ways you can minimize downtime on your end. “A patient can minimize the downtime after getting Restylane injections by making sure not to take any blood thinners, like aspirin, Motrin, Aleve, or Advil, as well as vitamins and fish oil, for at least one week before your injections,” explains Dr. Green. “I would also refrain from drinking alcohol for a few days before your injections. After injections, I would not do any excessive exercise, steam rooms, or saunas for at least 48 hours, to minimize swelling.”
If you are someone who is prone to bruising, Dr. Sonia Badreshia, a board-certified dermatologist in Beverly Hills, California, suggests taking over-the-counter arnica or bromelain tablets or applying arnica cream to the area, to minimize downtime. “You can also drink pineapple juice, which contains bromelain,” she says.
Related: Why You Get Swelling After Fillers—and How to Reduce It
5. Results take time, so be patient.
Because of the initial bruising and swelling, it can be hard to judge results immediately after a Restylane treatment. If you’re someone who doesn’t bruise or swell easily, you might see results quickly, but it’s a different story for those who are more reactive.
“If there is any bruising or swelling, it can take 10 days to see the final results,” says Dr. Green.
6. How to find a Restylane provider near you
Restylane filler is offered by many medical providers, but how do you choose the one who is the best fit for you? While RealSelf community members say the provider’s experience is the main thing to consider, Dr. Green suggests looking at their Restylane before and after pictures too. “You can Google ‘Restylane providers near me’ to find physicians in your city who provide Restylane and look at the before and after photos on their website,” she says. “You can also search through RealSelf to see which physicians in your area have answered questions and posted Restylane before and after photos, which shows both knowledge and results.”
7. Is Restylane safe?
While bruising and swelling can occur, there are other side effects that might make you ask, “How safe is Restylane?” Restylane side effects include temporary swelling, discomfort, bleeding, and bruising, but other Restylane dangers can include nodules or granulomas (although this is extremely rare), according to Dr. Badreshia. “Also, some areas are at higher risk for injecting into a vessel, which can cause skin necrosis, so finding an experienced provider is key,” she says.
8. What are the Restylane dangers, and what can you do about them?
In addition to bruising, you may also experience swelling and lumps where Restylane has been injected. “Swelling will go down over time, and applying ice packs to the treatment area helps resolve it more quickly,” says Dr. Green. “Lumps, which cannot be massaged away, need to be removed with hyaluronidase injections.” Oftentimes, any nodules will disappear on their own with time, but if it’s bothering you, Dr. Badreshia suggests speaking with your provider two weeks after your Restylane filler injection.
9. Restylane can be dissolved, if you don’t like your results.
Restylane is made of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring compound in the skin. Your body will naturally break it down over time, but if you are overinjected or the results aren’t what you expected, your Restylane provider can use hyaluronidase—an enzyme that speeds up the breakdown of hyaluronic acid—to dissolve it. “Care must be used to inject the misplaced filler,” says Dr. Green.
10. How long does Restylane last?
Your results depend on where you have Restylane injected and your individual biology— some people’s metabolic systems break it down faster than others’, and it will dissolve more quickly if injected into an area with more frequent muscle movement (like the lips). “With the full Restylane treatment, you can see lasting results for up to 18 months in nasolabial folds, up to 10 to 12 months in the cheeks, up to six months in the back of the hands, and up to six months in facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds, with Restylane Lyft,” says Dr. Green. “With Restylane Silk, it can last between three [and] six months for the lips and perioral rhytids, and up to 12 months in the facial wrinkles and folds—such as nasolabial folds and marionette lines—with Restylane Refyne and Restylane Defyne.”
11. Is getting Restylane “Worth It”?
Restylane is a popular injectable filler treatment that has a RealSelf Worth It Rating of 96%. To better determine if Restylane filler is right for you, read reviews and talk to multiple providers, to see if you’d be a good candidate.
