What Determines the Needle Size in Restylane?

This needle has an oversized internal bore relative to the diameter of the needle which helps the injector place the material.  This works extremely well with both Perlane and Restylane.  This treatments are generally very comfortable with the local anesthetic that is now mixed with these fillers.

Generally, the needle size of the fillers has stayed the same (smaller needle for the thinner fillers, bigger needle for the thicker ones), but there has been some advancement in the details of the needle engineering and design that are intended to handle the fillers for a smoother delivery and more reliable performance. However, of course with more experience over years of use, techniques have also advanced over the years. The result is that fully educated, well trained physician injectors in the four core facial cosmetic specialties (board certified dermatologists, plastic surgeons, oculoplastic surgeons, and ENT/facial plastic surgeons) are getting better and better at achieving great results with fewer side effects. If you go to the right doctor.

The needle is included in the package of restylane.  Regarding the question of technique, fillers in the past were used primarily to fill the nasolabial folds.  However, aging and volume loss doesn't  just happen in one area.  Since then, most dermatologists and plastic surgeons now look at the face as a whole to assess where volume is needed, rather than just trying to fill one wrinkle or fold.  Areas like the temples, cheeks, tear troughs, marionette lines, chin, lips, and jawline can all be treated to achieve a more natural, balanced result.  Note that all these areas are treated off-label, meaning the FDA has not approved the filler for these areas.  The most important thing is to see a board-certified physician experienced in these treatments. 

Restylane and Juvederm come pre-packaged with suggested needles that the physician can attach prior to injection.  However it is up to the physician's discretion to use them or any needle of their liking. Several years ago Medicis he company that distributes Restylane made a change to the needle that is provided. The change involved the use of a needle with a larger internal bore (internal diameter) without a corespondent increase in the outer diameter.  The advantage was that improved the flow characteristic of the filler.  The fact that the external diameter didn't change means that there is no corresponding increase to the discomfort for the patient. 

Yes they have changed. Nowadays, needle diameter and length are minimal, comparing with diameter and lenghts of ten years ago. In the other hand, current fillers, like Restylane or Juvederm, are mixed with an anesthetic (Lidocaine); this fact makes a big difference when applying the filler. As you say, there are many technical facts that alter a "paiful experience" to an "almost insignificant experience" as:


Selective nerve blocking - with local anesthesia (if necessary)

Preparing infiltration area with topic anesthetics (gel/ointment/cream) [f.e. EMLA] 20 minutes prior to infiltration process.

Good infiltration technique (no all fillers are infiltrated in different facial areas in the same manner: deep, strenght, needle-skin angle,...)

Your doctor can choose the filler "pre-mixed" with anesthetics.

Injection (infiltration) speed.


A lot of small details make the difference.