Restylane Lyft – 10 Frequently Asked Questions

As we age, natural adipose tissue loses its integrity, resulting in sagging skin, more prominent wrinkles and a loss in volume, Restylane Lyft has been FDA approved for correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds and for cheek augmentation and for the correction of age-related midface contour deficiencies.  Restylane Lyft is also the only Hyaluronic Acid filler that is also approved for hand rejuvenation. Restylane Lift was previously known as Perlane-L, produced by one of the leading manufacturers of Hyaluronic Acid fillers – Galderma.

Here’s the top 10 frequently asked questions about Restylane Lyft.

How does Restylane Lyft work?

Restylane Lyft is a type of dermal filler. It contains hyaluronic acid which helps to volumize facial hollowing and replenish volume loss. Hyaluronic acid is a natural complex sugar found naturally, that has the ability to absorb water 1000 times its weight, adding volume to the skin. HA also binds with collagen and elastin and transport essential nutrients to these fibers. The triple combination of collagen, elastin and HA provides structure, elasticity and volume to the skin and contributes to its overall appearance. Depletion of HA will result in concurrent loss of elastin and collagen.

As cells age, the lose the ability to produce HA. As a result, the skin begins to lose volume, resulting in formation of facial wrinkles and folds.

Restylane Lyft is injected into deeper tissues, designed to lift folds and replace facial volume loss attributed by underlying bone loss, collagen degradation. Lyft’s water-loving nature attracts and binds to water molecules to maintain volume of the aging tissue.

How is Restylane Lyft different from the other restylane products?

All fillers in the Restylane range are composed of Hyaluronic acid. The difference in properties and uses between Restylane lyft and the restylane family is the size of HA particles and the cross-link technology.

Restylane Lyft contains HA gel particles larger than those in restylane. With bigger gel particles they are ‘stiffer’, contributing to the higher G’ that makes it more resistant to external pressure and less likely to spread. This property allows it to be the best choice amongst the range for projection of the cheek and augmentation of the chin.

Restylane Kysse/ Silk is less particulated, and ‘soft’ allowing the correction of lips and periorbital wrinkles where the skin is thin, minimising the risk of any lumpiness.

Restylane Defyne and Refyne uses a technology XpresHan or Optimal Balance Technology. These newer formulations are developed to provide a good balance between flexibility and support. Conventional technology gives either a flexible filler with minimal support or a hard filler which is inflexible and needs to be injected deeply to prevent unnatural lumpiness that provides excellent support. Defyne and Refyne, has a good support for flexible substances that can be injected more superficially, without affecting facial flexibility, perfect for treating areas the mouth and eyes, where there are a lot of movements.

Restylane is more versatile in its use. From superficial injection for skin boosters, to mid-to-deep injection into facial tissue to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds and sometimes also used for injection into the lips. Due to this reason, it is a very commonly used product of the range.

That is a lot of information that you may not understand. In summary, every reputable manufacturer of HA fillers comes a wide range of fillers available that best treats different concerns. Restylane Lyft is the most ‘rigid’ filler of the family which provides excellent support and lifting effect for anti-ageing.

How long does the Restylane Lyft filler last?

Studies have proven that Restylane Lyft can last longer than 12 months, especially evident when it is used to treat the fullness of the cheeks. When it is used to treat wrinkles and folds such as the nasolabial folds, the benefits are generally a bit shorter, lasting for about 6 months.

It is noted that the effects of repeated injection in subsequent sessions last longer than the first session.

This is a rough estimate and it varies greatly between individuals depending on their rate of metabolising the product, photoaging, external factors like smoking and lifestyle. Some of the patients have reported that the filler had lasted them up to 18-24 months!

Can I still use Restylane Lyft when I have other types of filler on my face?

Although there are still doctors around the world who would inject different types of fillers in the same sitting to achieve the desired effects without issues.It is generally not advisable to ‘mix’ products. Especially if you have had semi-permanent or permanent fillers done before – for example silicon fillers, aquamid, Radiesse, Sculptra, Ellanse to list a few. It is important that you inform your doctor of any previous aesthetic treatments. The reaction between these fillers remains poorly studied and your doctor should decide if it is safe to proceed based on his personal experience, where and when the fillers were performed. It is known that the risk of forming granulomas – hardened lumps is higher when products of different materials are used. Your doctor may advise to proceed by avoiding the area, injecting more superficially or to use the previously used product or to withhold your treatment til he deem that it is safe.

On the other hand, it is commonly practiced to ‘layer’ the fillers with HA of different ‘consistencies’. As mentioned above, some fillers are softer that allows more flexibility can be injected at the surface, with more rigid fillers injected deeply to support it. It is generally very safe even when HA fillers of different brands (reputable ones of course) are used, and even safer if they are from the same range. Most doctors will be familiar with this technique and deem combining different HA fillers safe.

Is there anything that I should do or avoid before and after the Restylane Lyft procedure?

Before

Disclose fully during your consultation of any medical conditions, medications that you are taking, any previous aesthetic procedures, allergies and a history of cold sores.

Avoid high doses of Vitamin E supplements, fish oils and NSAIDS such as aspirin and ibuprofen. 

After

After injection, avoid makeup over the injection point for 24 hours. Post care instructions like the use of antibiotic creams or medications (if given) should be followed closely.

Cold compress can be applied to the treated area to minimise swelling.

Avoid facial and pressure over the injected area at least 2 weeks after injection.

Continue to avoid aspirin, NSAIDs, Vitamin E supplements and fish oils as those may increase the risk of bruising

Avoid activities involving extreme temperature like sauna and steam baths to preserve the integrity of the injected filler.

Avoid UV exposure, tan beds and use sunblock to slow down the breakdown of Hyaluronic Acid.

Be aware of the side effects to watch out for. Common side effects like swelling, pain, bruising, tenderness, redness and itching goes away within 2 weeks without the need of treatment. If the symptoms last longer than 14 days, you should consult your doctor to look out for any early signs of infection. Blisters and cold sores could recur and appropriate treatment with antiviral medications should be prompt given. Severe side effects that arises from vascular complications such as visual impairment, discolouration of the skin, signs of stroke (extremely rare) can occur during or within hours after the procedure. They will require immediate attention.

Does Restylane Lyft hurt?

As with all injections, there may be pain or discomfort during the procedure. To help maximise your comfort, many aesthetic clinics offer topical numbing agents and occasionally oral medication prior to treatment. Lidocaine is a local anaesthesia that can be injected to numb a specific area to decrease pain. Restylane Lyft comes in prefilled syringes containing 0.3% of lidocaine that helps to reduce the associated discomfort with the treatment.

Restylane Lyft without lidocaine is available for patients with known allergies to lidocaine.

The effectiveness of lidocaine in Restylane had been studied in a split face study, where each patient received Restylane with lidocaine on one side of the face and Restylane without lidocaine on the other side of the face. The side with lidocaine significantly reduced the pain during the procedure and is effective for the following hour after treatment.

Is Restylane Lyft the best filler available in the market?

Restylane Lyft, known as Perlane then, is commonly compared to another big player in the filler market – Juvederm by Allergan. Juvederm HA fillers are stabilised using Vycross technology which claims to last up to 24 months. To be honest, these 2 big brands of HA fillers are comparable. They are well established and proven to be safe and effective with multiple clinical studies.

Juvederm is cross-linked with Vycross technology, the risk of granuloma is slightly higher as the product is expected to last longer in the body. Fillers from the Juverderm family usually cost a bit higher as well. However, many of the patients are unsatisfied as they felt that the higher cost was not justifiable as they didn’t feel that the effects lasted much longer than Restylane Lyft.

Restylane products are minimally crossed-linked, making them similar to the natural hyaluronic acid found in the body, making it one of the most biocompatible and safest filler in the market.

There are also other types of fillers available in the market, including those that have semi-permanent results, collagen stimulating properties like Radiesse, Sculptra, etc. Each filler has its pros and cons.

In summary, there isn’t a superfiller that can win it all – price, longevity, safety, lack of side effects. When you consult 10 doctors, you would probably end up getting very confused because there just isn’t a straightforward answer to it. That is why it is important that you consult a doctor who is experienced with different products, who will be able to assess your concerns and choose the best filler for you. We believe the proper communication with an experienced injector will help you meet your goals. A fixated idea on a specific type of filler will not.

Will I look unnatural after Restylane Lyft?

It is not common to look unnatural. In fact, filler is one of the most popular non-invasive aesthetic treatments performed in aesthetic clinics with immediate lifting, rejuvenating outcomes. Some patients immediately return to work after treatment. And you may be surprised to hear that many men have done fillers too. It is so commonly done that if you ask around, you will be surprised to find out that many of your friends or even family have actually done fillers (secretly)!

Poor injection technique, incongruent aesthetic views, overfill and the use of inappropriate fillers are common reasons of unsatisfactory aesthetic outcomes.

You may find it useful to observe how the patients coming through the door look to assess if your injector shares the same aesthetic views or if they look ‘unnatural’ to you. Make sure to visit a licensed doctor in a reputable clinic that will use quality products.

It would be reassuring, especially to first time patients, to hear that HA fillers are not permanent and undesired results resolves with time and they can be ‘dissolved’ with hyaluronidase if there is a need to.

Is Restylane Lyft safe? Are there any side effects?

Restylane Lyft has been in use for the last 15 years and it has an excellent safety profile with proper injection. All side effects reported are applicable to all other filler injections. Restylane Lyft has not shown any increased risk of any of the reported side effects compared to other fillers on the market.

After the injection, most patients reported redness, swelling, bruising, lumps/bumps, pain/tenderness or itching at the injected site. This are normal responses and most of these side effects are short-lived and do not require any medical attention.

The listed side effects are extremely rare but they are potentially serious and you should have an understanding of the implications of them.

• Unintentional injection into a blood vessel leading to complications such as vision abnormalities, blindness, stroke, temporary scabs or permanent scarring of the skin
• Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation can occur at the injection area. This usually occurs for individuals with darker skin tones and may take several weeks to resolve.
• Cold sores reactivation is possible especially if you have prior history cold sores.
• Scarring, such as keloid scars can form at the injection area. The risk of forming for such scars are rare and has not been observed in any of the patients receiving Restylane Lyft injections.
• Superficial skin infections can be treated with antibiotics without complications. However, biofilms can result from deeper skin infection resulting in prolonged periods of small, red, swollen inflammatory bumps. Treating such infections are more complicated and it can take multiple treatments and months for it to be resolved.
• Granulomas are lumps that form as the body’s immune system recognises the fillers as a foreign body and forms a barrier to ‘wall off’ these substances.
• Allergies to components of the injection like lidocaine or HA are unlikely to develop. As the Restylane Lyft is non animal-based and free from animal protein, allergy pretesting is not necessary.

How much does Restylane Lyft cost?

Aesthetic treatments are generally more affordable today compared to the past. Restylane fillers last for about 12 months and you may have to touch up your fillers once or twice a year. Touch-ups usually require less volume of fillers. 1 syringe of fillers cost between $700 – $1200. Most of the patients in their 50s will require about 2 syringes of fillers and according to recommendations by the manufacturers, not more than 6cc of fillers are to be performed in one session. You can roughly do the math and it may average out to be more cost-effective than your monthly facials!