How Does Restylane Work?
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Restylane Basics
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Restylane is a natural substance that is injected into the skin. It is made of hyaluronic acid, which is a natural substance that keeps the moisture inside the skin and reduces wrinkles. Restylane is a natural alternative to Botox that has been used since 1996 to treat wrinkles and loose skin.
How Restylane Works
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The skin contains three main layers: the outer, middle and deep layers. Several substances exist within the dermis, or middle layer, that bind water molecules together, keeping skin healthy and firm. One of these substances is hyaluronic acid. As people age, they lose some of the hyaluronic acid in the dermis, so the skin cannot hold moisture as easily. As a result, the skin forms wrinkles more easily. Restylane treatment injects hyaluronic acid into the dermis to reduce folds and wrinkles in the skin.
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Treatment
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An ultra-fine needle injects small amounts of Restylane into the middle layer of your skin. The doctor may gently massage the skin to help smooth out the gel. Almost immediately, the gel joins to the dermal tissue and begins to bind the water molecules, which softens lines and smooths out wrinkles. The treatment usually lasts 30 minutes or less. Each treatment lasts six months or longer, so it is recommended to get a touch-up approximately twice a year. In the case of general skin rejuvenation and hydration, the first series of three treatments take place over the first few weeks, followed by the six month touch-ups.
Options
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Restylane can be used to treat the nasolabial folds (from the nose to above the lips), lips, cheeks, chin, back of the hands, or glabellar lines (between the eyebrows).
Risks and Side Effects
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During treatment, you may experience slight discomfort, but a local anesthetic can be used to limit this feeling. After treatment, you may experience slight itching, pain, or bruising at the site of the injection. The lips may be especially prone to swelling, and they may look slightly uneven for several days following treatment. In very rare cases, these side effects may remain for up to two weeks, but they usually disappear within a few days. Restylane should not be used near areas that have had skin disease or inflammation. It has also not been tested on pregnant or nursing women. Unlike other products, Restylane does not contain any animal-derived ingredients, so an allergy test is not necessary.
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