Restylane Stimulating Collagen? Is there any truth to this?

Studies have found that multiple injections of Restylane actually stimulates the skin to produce collagen, a protein that keeps it firm and supple but dwindles with age and sun exposure causing sagging and wrinkling. Therefore, there is truth to what you have heard about this treatment. 

There is a general consensus today among aesthetic physicians that early intervention, in the form of the use of injectable fillers and volumizing fillers (such as Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse) and injectable neuromodulators (e.g. Botox, Dysport, Xeomin) may actually retard the aging process.

In the case of the neuromodulators, the primary reason for this is simple. If, through their use, we diminish the hyperactivity of the muscles of facial expression that often comes with aging, we consequently decrease the amount and degree of accordion-like skin folding that results from their activity. The fewer and less intense the muscular contractions in a region, the less the static wrinkling and creasing that results (wrinkles at rest). Repeated treatments with these agents may result in more sustained improvements translating into less wrinkling and skin etching with the passage of time.

The story with fillers and volumizing fillers demonstrates a similar trend. It goes without saying that by lifting wrinkles and restoring volume to sinking areas we are reversing the aging trend toward creasing and sagging. But, it seems that many of the fillers, by physically stretching and elongating surrounding fibroblasts (the cells that produce collagen and elastin), stimulate the fibroblasts to produce a greater quantity and improved quality of these important fibers--which may contribute to more prolonged results from treatment. These benefits may be obtained in all treated regions, including those around the eyes.