Restylane is an injectable gel that is used to fill out areas of skin wrinkling. It is made of hyaluronic acid, which is naturally found in the skin, where it provides fullness. It has received FDA approval for use as a dermal filler. Many people who wish to achieve a more youthful appearance turn to Restylane to decrease the severity of facial wrinkles and folds. Drugs.com assures potential users that Restylane has been found to be safe and effective, but a few problems also exist.
Impermanent
The impermanence of Restylane may be of concern to some people. The effects of the injection last up to six months and then gradually recede. As Restylane degrades, the body reabsorbs it until no residue remains. Restylane has been found to last longer than other dermal fillers, such as Zyplast, according to Drugs.com, but to retain the desired effects, the patient will require repeated treatments.
Contraindications
The Food and Drug Administration lists a number of situations in which Restylane should not be used. Allergic reactions are a concern, and the FDA warns that patients with a history of severe allergic reactions should not use Restylane. Also, those who have exhibited any allergy to certain bacterial proteins are advised against Restylane use. Patients who have a history of keloids, which are overgrowths of scar tissue, should not receive Restylane injections, as its safety has not been confirmed in these cases.
There are certain areas of the body into which Restylane should not be injected. These include bone, tendons, ligaments, muscles and blood vessels. Blood vessel implantation of Restylane could lead to catastrophic results, such as vascular blockage and embolisms that could travel to the heart or brain. The FDA warns that Restylane should not be use in areas where cysts, pimples or hives, or any other signs of inflammation or infection are present. The long-term safety of Restylane, including its safety in pregnant women, has not been established.
Adverse Effects
Adverse effects of Restylane injection have included allergic reactions, bacterial infections and localized tissue death, or necrosis, in the region between the eyebrows known as the glabella. Swelling, redness and tenderness, common signs of inflammation, have also occurred around the injection site. These symptoms can appear immediately, or up to seven days after receiving a Restylane injection, according to the FDA.
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