Botox or the botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin that acts on neurons to prevent the release of the chemical that causes muscles to work. Although muscles that have been paralyzed with Botox regain function in 3-4 months, this is due to generation of new nerve fibers that don't contain the Botox. The toxin is metabolized, locally by normal protein degrading enzymes, eventually and the by products reused by the body or excreted. Restylane is composed of hyaluronic acid which is a normal component of the skin dermis. Therefore, there are proteases or proteins that normally degrade this protein. The metabolism is the same for Restylane as the skins hyluronic acid.