Does Restylane Injections Hurt?

Hi Girl Like You in LA,

Restylane injections only hurt if the injector accidentally sticks the needle in his/her only finger!  Oh, you mean does Restylane hurt the patient?

Most skilled and experienced injectors can use a number of techniques to minimize discomfort during the injection of facial fillers including Restylane.  Most patients tolerate the injections with just a little ice pack before the injection.  Restylane now comes with local anesthetic mixed in the syringe making the process much easier for patients to tolerate.  Topical anesthestic creams and local anesthetic nerve blocks are available to patients who wish to feel no pain in certain areas. 

In your case given your needle phobia, I suggest that you have a close friend or family member dirve you to the office, I would give you an appropiate dose of Xanax about 30 minutes before your injections, ice your lower eyelid area, have you keep your eyes closed during the 15 minute treatment, and have my nurse hold your hand. 

Most women can tolerate the injections very well having put up with menstrual cycles, having babies, and dealing with men.  Don't let your worries about discomfort keep you from facial filler injections, just keep reminding yourself how worth it will be to look so much better. 

Do choose your injecting physician most carefully, as injection techniques vary, comfort levels vary, and most importantly the aesthetic sense of naturally proportioned facial beauty varies (especially in the lower eye lid hollow area which is delicate and unforgiving).   Please see the below reference for the aesthetic sense of the Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Good luck and be well.

Dr. P

Encino, CA

We are very conscious in trying to provide the most comfortable injectable filler experience.  We use the most effective topical anesthetic cream that is tested against all other topicals.  Small needles, slow delivery and gentle technique! Excellent caring assistants help keep you comfortable.  You can certainly keep your eyes closed during the treatment.                                                                                                                             

Hi GLY.  We certainly understand your anxiety.  We have lots of patients that are concerned about pain when they first come in for injection procedures.  

While pain is a very personal issue, we will say that the undereye area is one of the easiest places to have Restylane injected from a pain perspective.  We use topical numbing cream (a 30% mix of benzocaine, tetracaine and lidocaine) as well as a cold pack.  In addition, the Restylane itself has lidocaine in it.  So, there are several measures taken to ensure a comfortable treatment.  

Unfortunately, general anesthesia is not an option for this type of treatment.