Restylane is a type of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring sugar-like molecule found in most tissues of the body, including the skin. Hyaluronic acid retains water like a sponge so it helps to hydrate the skin and increase volume and density. It gradually diminishes over time due to age, hormones, exposure to the sun and medications.
What is it used for?
Restylane is used to fill wrinkles, accentuate eyebrows, smooth under-eye hollows, enhance lips, increase volume in the upper cheek and naso-labial region (the area between the nose and mouth where laugh lines can develop), and define or accentuate contours of the cheek, chin and jaw line. It's also used to fill acne scars, camouflage early jowls and to make changes in shape or symmetry; for example, it can soften a bulbous tip or a 'ski jump' depression on the nose
How long does it last?
It depends in part on how much is injected and where (the closer to the bone, the longer it lasts). A typical lip treatment might last up to six months but laugh line corrections could last up to nine months and cheek augmentation even longer.
How much does it cost?
Typically it costs upwards of about $1,000, but the cost depends on several factors. A 20 or 30-minute treatment of the brow, eyes, cheek, jaw, mouth, lips and bridge of nose can cost about $2,500.
What are the benefits?
Restylane can be used on all skin types and colours. Since it's a non-animal product, there's no risk of disease transmission or allergic reaction. Some facial areas require only a single treatment and results are immediate. It is available in half vials that are useful for smaller touch-ups of places like the upper lip or to fill very fine lines or areas where there's little fat.
What are the side effects?
Side effects include possible redness or swelling that normally lasts less than seven days. It can cause slightly more swelling on the lips than other injectables.
3. Juvéderm
Like Restylane, Juvéderm is a form of hyaluronic acid, but this one was developed using different filtration and molecule manipulation techniques.
What is it used for?
Juvéderm treats moderate to severe facial folds, raises the upper part of eyebrows, smooth under-eye hollows, enhances lips, and increases volume and define contours of cheeks, chin and jaw line. It, too, can be used for minor rhinoplasty (nose reshaping).
How long does it last?
It lasts upwards of six months.
How much does it cost?
Juvéderm costs upwards of $1,000. Each .8 cc syringe costs between $550 and $700. The lips usually require one syringe; the naso-labial line needs one syringe on each side; and the cheeks take one to three syringes on each side.
What are the benefits?
It can be used on all skin types and there’s no risk of disease transmission or allergic reaction. Some facial areas require only a single treatment and results are immediate. It causes minimal swelling and pain.
What are the side effects?
The most common side effects are temporary redness, tenderness, swelling or bruising. Rare cases of nerve and blood vessel injury have been reported.
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