The science behind Restylane®
Restylane® is the original non-animal stabilised hyaluronic acid dermal filler. In New Zealand, Restylane is classified as an unfunded Class III registered medical device and must only be administered by a qualified and registered healthcare professional.
Restylane provides instant results that last1-5, and to date, there have been over 50 million treatments1. The complementary range of Restylane dermal fillers can be tailored to any individual look to enhance and define facial features.
Why do people want to
refine their facial features?
An important reason for the use of dermal fillers is facial aging. Facial aging is a complex process that affects many parts of the face. For example, you may lose definition and bone support due to bone resorption, especially towards the back of the jaw and at the temples. Another consequence of aging is the loss of facial fat, leading to a loss of facial volume. In addition, fat compartments in the cheeks may start sagging towards the jawline, thereby affecting the whole facial contour. Furthermore, due to loss of collagen, hydration and elasticity, fine lines and wrinkles may appear. Dermal fillers with stabilised hyaluronic acid have become an important treatment option to correct the appearance of these changes.
Also, people of all ages may have a desire to enhance themselves in their own unique way. For example, they may want to enhance or refine their lips, cheeks, chin, or jawline, according to their own view of beauty and aesthetic aspirations. Dermal fillers with stabilised hyaluronic acid provide the opportunity to optimise their aesthetic goals.
The history of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers
When Restylane® was launched more than 20 years ago, it was the world’s first non-animal dermal filler with stabilised hyaluronic acid. Before, hyaluronic acid gels were of animal origin, and carried a significant risk of causing immune reactions.
Hyaluronic acid is a native molecule that occurs naturally in our bodies. It is a polysaccharide, a kind of sugar molecule, which can bind huge amounts of water—1,000 times its own weight. Hyaluronic acid therefore helps our bodies to retain water and to keep our body tissues soft, hydrated and flexible.
Natural hyaluronic acid in our bodies form long molecular chains. This naturally occurring hyaluronic acid degrades quickly, in 24-48 hours. Restylane® dermal fillers contain hyaluronic acid that has been stabilised with a cross-linking technology. This makes the chains of the hyaluronic acid molecules form a three-dimensional network that is very similar to naturally occurring hyaluronic acid, but does not degrade at the same rate. Restylane® delivers results that can last up to 24 months with just one retreatment*.5,7
Being the original and first, Restylane® is traditionally the gold standard of dermal fillers. Historically, it is the brand that other hyaluronic acid dermal filler brands are compared with. Since its launch, there have been more than 50 million treatments with Restylane® worldwide.6
*Full face combination treatment with Restylane and Restylane Lyft, with one retreatment at 12 months.
A complementary range of dermal fillers to create any look
The different types of Restylane® dermal fillers are based on two technologies, NASHA™ and OBT™ (also known as XpresHAn Technology™ in the US). The NASHA™ and OBT™ technologies make Restylane® the world’s most versatile range of dermal fillers that allows healthcare practitioners to deliver truly individualised results.7,8*
The Restylane® OBT™ gels are softer and more flexible. They are used, for example, to add volume in the midface, or to enhance contours for patients with thinner tissue coverage where a softer product is preferred. Restylane® OBT™ gels are also used for dynamic areas of the face such as lips and cheek wrinkles.9
The Restylane® NASHA™ gels are firmer and are used to create projection and definition. They are suitable for lifting the cheeks, enhancing the jawline or chin, or reducing the appearance of wrinkles.5,10
The image shows the differences in flexibility and firmness between the Restylane® dermal fillers, and reflects differences in particle size. The varying properties provide healthcare practitioners with the freedom to create the results that you expect and desire.
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References
- Talarico S et al. Dermatol Surg 2015;41:1361–1369.
- Cartier H et al. J Drugs Dermatol 2012;11(1 Suppl):s17–26.
- Hilton S et al. Dermatol Surg 2018;44:261–269.
- Weiss RA et al. Dermatol Surg 2016;42:699–709.
- Data on file, MA-39364.
- Data on file, MA-39680.
- Data on file, MA-43039.
- Öhrlund A. Balance of firmness and flexibility for HA fillers. Poster. IMCAS World Congress, Paris, 2020
- Philipp-Dormston WG et al. Dermatol Surg 2018;44(6):826-832.
- Kablik J et al. Dermatol Surg 2009;35(Suppl1):302–312.
- Swift A et al. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol 2017;10:229–238.
- Rzany B et al. Dermatol Surg 2012;38:1153–1161
*Based on Restylane range of elastic modulus (G’) values, technologies and product selections available.