What is Restylane?
Restylane is a family of hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers designed to mimic your body’s natural moisture-binding molecules. By injecting this biocompatible gel into specific dermal layers, we can restore lost volume, smooth deep folds, and refine facial contours with immediate, natural-looking results.
| At A Glance | Detail |
| Cost | Reflects number of syringes and formula type |
| Downtime | 24–48 hours (potential minor swelling) |
| Pain Level | Minimal; formulated with lidocaine |
| Duration | 15–45 minutes |
Aesthetic Concerns Addressed
Restylane is not a single product, but a sophisticated toolkit. At our Chicago practice, we utilize the various viscosities within the Restylane line to treat specific structural and surface-level issues:
- Nasolabial Folds & Marionette Lines: Softening the deep "parentheses" lines that run from the nose to the corners of the mouth.
- Mid-face Volumization: Restoring the "apple" of the cheeks and addressing the hollows that occur with age-related fat loss.
- Lip Augmentation: Enhancing lip volume or defining the vermilion border for a crisp, refined pout.
- Under-Eye Hollows: Using specialized formulas like Restylane-L to diminish the "tired" look of tear troughs.
- Hand Rejuvenation: Correcting volume loss on the back of the hands, where tendons and veins have become prominent.
The Benefits of the Restylane Portfolio
- NASHA® & XpresHAn Technology™: Restylane offers two distinct manufacturing technologies. One provides firm structure for lifting (NASHA), while the other offers high flexibility (XpresHAn) for areas of high movement, ensuring your face never looks "frozen."
- Immediate Gratification: Unlike biostimulators that take months to work, the volumizing effect of Restylane is visible the moment the needle is withdrawn.
- Reversible Safety: As a hyaluronic acid filler, Restylane can be dissolved with an enzyme (hyaluronidase) if your aesthetic goals change.
- Natural Integration: The gel integrates seamlessly into the skin tissue, maintaining your ability to make natural facial expressions.
Am I a Candidate for Restylane?
Most Chicago patients looking to address early signs of aging or structural thinning are excellent candidates.
Ideal Candidates:
- Are 21 years of age or older.
- Have realistic expectations for non-surgical rejuvenation.
- Are looking for a "refreshed" look rather than a total facial overhaul.
Contraindications: We do not recommend Restylane for patients with severe allergies (specifically to gram-positive bacteria), those with active skin infections at the injection site, or patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding. During your consultation, we will review your medical history to ensure a safe treatment profile.
Popular Facial Areas for Restylane Injections
Our Chicago Restylane can be injected to different facial regions to provide a healthier, younger look. For example, hollowed areas, reducing dark circles or bags under the eyes are a popular Restylane procedure. Additionally, Restylane injections may be used to enhance the size and shape of the lips. It can improve the lip’s texture and the fine lines around the mouth. Restylane is designed to provide your lips with a natural-looking result by using small and smooth hyaluronic acid particles.
The Consultation: Your Aesthetic Blueprint
Your experience begins with a high-level facial analysis. We don't just look at a single wrinkle; we look at the "why" behind it. Often, a deep fold near the mouth is caused by volume loss in the cheeks. By treating the source rather than just the symptom, we achieve a more balanced, sophisticated result. We will discuss your goals, select the specific Restylane formula best suited for your tissue density, and provide a transparent quote for the number of syringes required.
Your Restylane Procedure
Precision is the hallmark of the Michael Horn approach. After cleansing the skin, we may apply a topical numbing cream, though most Restylane formulas contain lidocaine to numb the area from the inside out.
Using either a fine-gauge needle or a blunt-tipped cannula—which reduces the risk of bruising—the filler is strategically placed into the dermal layers. You may feel a slight pressure or "tugging" sensation, but the process is generally well-tolerated. The entire session lasts between 15 and 45 minutes, making it a viable "lunch break" procedure for our Gold Coast and downtown professionals.
Results and Longevity
You will walk out of our office with a visible improvement in volume and smoothness. While minor swelling or pinpoint bruising can occur, these typically resolve within a few days.
How long does Restylane last?
The longevity of your results depends on the specific product used and the area treated:
- Lips: Typically 6 to 9 months due to high muscle activity.
- Cheeks and Mid-face: Often 12 months or longer.
- Tear Troughs: Can last up to a year.
The Provider's Notebook: Your metabolism also plays a role. Patients with high activity levels may find that their body processes the HA gel slightly faster.
What Are The Different Types of Restylane?
Restylane Lyft is most commonly used to restore patients with fuller, younger-looking cheeks. It is designed to add volume under the surface of the skin to life and contour the cheek area. Restylane-L is generally used to rejuvenate the skin’s surface. They are designed to restore skin elasticity and add volume to smooth lines and folds around they nose and mouth.
Restylane Silk helps add fullness to thin lips
Restylane Refyne and Restylane Defyne are the newest formations in the Restylane line. Both designed with XpresHAn Technology, Restylane Refyne helps soften laugh lines (nasolabial folds and marionette lines). This can help you restore a more natural look to your face while maintaining your facial expressions. Restylane® Defyne helps smooth out deep laugh lines (nasolabial folds and marionette lines).
Maintenance: Protecting Your Investment
To keep your results looking seamless, we recommend "top-off" appointments before the filler has completely dissipated. This prevents the "see-saw" effect of looking treated and then untreated. Additionally, medical-grade skincare and consistent sun protection are essential to prevent the further degradation of your natural collagen, which provides the framework for the filler.
Why Choose Michael Horn Plastic Surgery & Med Spa?
In a market saturated with "injector boutiques," choosing a practice led by a board-certified plastic surgeon offers a significant safety and aesthetic advantage. Dr. Michael Horn brings an expert understanding of facial anatomy—nerves, vasculature, and musculature—to every injection. We focus on Facial Balancing, ensuring that your results look like a more rested version of yourself, never overfilled or distorted.
Restylane FAQs
Yes. By using the XpresHAn technology line, the filler moves with your facial muscles. You won't have that "hard" or "heavy" look when you smile or talk.
Most patients return to work immediately. However, we advise against strenuous exercise or high-heat environments (like saunas) for 24 hours to minimize swelling.
Absolutely. In fact, we often recommend it. This "Liquid Facelift" approach uses Botox to relax dynamic wrinkles while Restylane restores the underlying volume.
Most patients describe the sensation as a minor pinch. The integrated lidocaine in the gel makes the actual injection process very comfortable.
While rare, one of the greatest benefits of Restylane is that it is 100% reversible using a specialized enzyme injection.
