Restylane is a brand of hyaluronic acid, a gel-like material injected for facial cosmetic enhancement. Although hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in skin and soft connective tissue, cartilage and spinal fluid, Restylane contains a synthetic form, making it much less likely to cause allergies or other problems for people sensitive to animal products. The gel is administered with tiny needles to fill in wrinkles and lines. Side effects usually are minor and disappear quickly.
Discomfort During Injections
Most patients experience minor discomfort during the hyaluronic acid injection procedure, according to the New Zealand Dermatological Society. This effect is minimized with a local anesthetic.
Common Skin Effects
Patients commonly report temporary redness and swelling after Restylane injections, and bruising also may occur, notes Johns Hopkins Cosmetic Center. Some people report pain, itching and tenderness. Cold compresses can help relieve these side effects. Patients can decrease bruising or bleeding by not taking certain medications or supplements for a week before receiving Restylane injections. These include aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, St. John's Wort or high doses of vitamin E supplements.
Hypersensitive Reactions
About one in 2,000 patients experiences localized side effects from Restylane that may be a hypersensitive reaction, according to LaserVue Eye Center. This side effect usually involves swelling at the injection site that can spread to the surrounding tissues. Rarely, acne-like skin eruptions have also been reported. Hypersensitivity reactions can occur within a few days to a month after Restylane injections, and are usually described as mild to moderate, lasting about two weeks.
Allergic Reactions
Rarely, some patients have reported an allergic reaction to Restylane, according to Parnell Medispa. An allergic reaction may cause red and thick nodules in the injection sites, which may linger for several weeks or even several months.
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