Medical Cosmetic Service

Restylane - Patient Information Sheet

What is Restylane?

Restylane products (Restylane, Perlane, and Restylane Fine lines) are sterile gels consisting of non-animal stabilised Hyaluronic acid for injection into the skin to correct facial lines, wrinkles and folds, for lip enhancement and for shaping the facial contours.

How does Restylane work?

Restylane Fine Lines consists of the smallest particles for the correction of very thin, superficial lines. It is injected into the upper part of the dermis. Restylane consists of medium particles for moderate wrinkles. It is injected into the middle layer of the dermis. Perlane consists of large particles for deep folds. It is injected into the deep layer of the dermis and/or the surface layer of the subcutis.

Optimal smoothing of age-related perioral lines and oral folds can be accomplished using combinations of all three products. For example, a deep fold can be first treated with Perlane. When the patient returns for follow - up treatment, Restylane can then be used.

When creating volume in the contours of the face or correcting hollow cheeks, Perlane is the best option. It lifts skin from the cheeks and chin by adding volume in the deep layer of the dermis and/or surface layer of the subcutis. Perlane is ideal for redefining the face.

Many patients want fuller lips or enhancement of the vermilion border. These effects can be easily achieved with Restylane.

How long does Restylane last?

Restylane is long lasting but not permanent. There is always the choice to continue or change the combination of treatments - and the procedure can be repeated as often as you like.

Most patient choose to have a follow - up treatment 6 to 12 months after an initial treatment of wrinkles. When the lips have been treated a follow up treatment is normally needed after about 6 months.

A touch up treatment within 2 - 4 weeks after the initial treatment may be necessary to achieve an optimal correction. Clinical experience indicates that follow - up treatments normally require a smaller amount of the product.

What should I bear in mind after the treatment?

Immediately after treatment, there may be slight redness, swelling, tenderness and an itching sensation in the treated area. This a normal result of the injection. This inconvenience generally disappears after a few days. If these do not, or if other reactions occur, it is advised to contact your doctor.

The initial swelling after lip treatment may last longer. Some patients experience swelling for about a week and the lips can look uneven during this time. This means that the result directly after the treatment should not be seen as the final result. If you are having treatment to the lip area and have a history of cold sores your doctor will prescribe anti-viral medication to prevent a flare up of cold sores, a well known result to any trauma of the lips.

Avoid touching the treated area for 6 hours after the treatment. After that the area can be gently washed with soap and water, and light make up can be applied. Until the initial swelling and redness have resolved, do not expose the treated area to intense hear (e.g. solarium and sunbathing) or extreme cold.

Potential side effects:

• Swelling/bruising at the injection site
• Temporary uneven result when lips are treated
• Itching
• As with all substances/medication there is the possibility of an allergic reaction
• Prolonged firmness on treated site
• Greyish discoloration at implantation site
• Cold sores

Contraindications:

• Pregnancy
• Breast feeding
• Autoimmune disease
• If you have had laser treatment or chemical peeling in the last 4 to 6 weeks
• Blood coagulation disorders

Cautions:

• Aspirin
• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Vitamin E
• Gingko Biloba
• St John's Wort