Are you tired of looking at your face and seeing wrinkles? At Nuance Cosmetic Surgery, we have several skin rejuvenation procedures and treatments available, including a popular skin volumizer called Restylane. Contact our Folsom office today to set up a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kenneth Sumida, who will discuss your cosmetic goals and create a customized care plan that matches your expectations while also achieving a natural look.
What is Restylane?
Composed of hyaluronic acid, Restylane is an FDA-approved injectable facial filler in the form of a gel that adds volume to the skin to create smoother, rejuvenated skin. With biodegradable, non-animal material, Restylane is safe, effective, does not require any allergy testing beforehand, and is one of the most popular dermal fillers in the country. It is also sold in approximately 65 countries outside the United States and has reportedly been used in more than 10 million procedures.
How Does Restylane Work?
Restylane is injected with a fine needle underneath the skin of the treated area. This is done with minimal discomfort and is a generally well-tolerated treatment. Once injected, the hyaluronic acid, a natural substance found in all living things, immediately begins adding volume to the treated area. It will also continue to work afterward, bonding with water molecules to maintain skin volume over a period of time. The components of Restylane are then absorbed by the body without leaving behind any residue.
What Areas Can Restylane Treat?
Restylane treats several signs of aging on the face. Dr. Sumida places the filler where volume loss and creasing show most, including areas such as:
Crow’s Feet
Crow’s feet are the fine lines that fan out from the outer corners of the eyes. Restylane fills these creases from below the surface, softening them so the skin around your eyes looks smooth.
Lip Lines and Lip Plumping
Lip lines are the small, vertical creases above and around the mouth. Sometimes, they are called smoker’s lines, but people who don’t smoke can also develop them as they age. Restylane is placed in the area around the mouth to restore volume and make these areas smooth again. This product is also used for lip plumping, filling in the body of the lips and shaping the borders.
Wrinkles Around the Nose and Mouth
Restylane can be used around the mouth and in the lower face where volume loss has caused changes. The deep lines from the nose to the mouth, also called nasolabial folds, become more pronounced with repetitive movement and loss of volume. Marionette lines can also be treated with Restylane, which supports the tissue from underneath for a smoother surface.
Cheek and Midface Volume
Certain Restylane formulas are designed for the cheeks, an area where lost volume is common. Deeper injections of firmer products can restore the contour of the cheeks and make them look more youthful without surgical techniques.
Types of Restylane Fillers
Restylane Original
Restylane Original is the first formula in the line and treats moderate to severe wrinkles. It works well for nasolabial folds and adding modest volume to the lips. The gel has a firmer texture that holds its shape in areas that need more support.
Restylane Lyft
Restylane Lyft is a thicker formula made for deeper support. It restores volume in the cheeks and midface and can also treat the backs of the hands. Because it is denser, it lifts sunken areas that lighter fillers cannot reach.
Restylane Refyne and Defyne
Refyne and Defyne use a flexible gel technology that moves with your facial expressions. Refyne treats mild to moderate lines and keeps a soft feel. Defyne is firmer and handles deeper folds and marionette lines. Both formulas look authentic while you smile and talk.
Restylane Kysse
Kysse is made for the lips. It adds fullness and shapes the lip borders while keeping natural movement. The formula uses cross-linking technology that helps color and texture last, with results that can hold for up to a year in the lips.
What Are the Benefits of Restylane?
- Immediate Results: You see added volume as soon as the filler is placed, without having to wait.
- Minimal Downtime: All of your normal activities can resume after your appointment.
- Natural-Looking Outcome: We add filler in carefully planned amounts for results that still look like you.
- No Allergy Testing Required: The hyaluronic acid comes from a fermentation process, which lowers the chance of a reaction.
- Customizable Treatment: Dr. Sumida adjusts the amount and placement to fit your face and your goals.
- Long-Lasting Results: A single treatment can last for six months or longer depending on the area.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Restylane?
Restylane is an option for patients in generally good health who understand what results Restylane can provide. It is not recommended if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a known sensitivity to hyaluronic acid products. Patients with certain bleeding conditions may need extra planning, but both younger adults easing early lines and older adults restoring lost volume can benefit. Dr. Sumida will review your medical history and skin at your visit to make sure the treatment fits you.
The Restylane Consultation Process
During your consultation, you will talk to Dr. Sumida about what bothers you and how you hope to change it. Your facial structure and skin quality will be important parts of this discussion and will determine where filler will help most. Dr. Sumida uses this time to talk through the risks and benefits of the treatment and provide you with a cost estimate and an aftercare plan. You will get clear information during the appointment and a detailed treatment plan created specifically for you.
What to Expect During Treatment
Restylane appointments take place in our Folsom office and typically last less than an hour. The day of treatment will include:
Preparing for Your Appointment
To lower your chance of bruising, you will be asked to avoid certain medications or supplements. Products like aspirin and ibuprofen can thin the blood and make bruising more likely. Alcohol can have a similar effect, so skip it the day before. The best preparation for fillers is keeping your skin clean on treatment day, with no makeup or other products.
The Injection Process
Dr. Sumida cleans the skin and may apply a numbing cream. Most Restylane products contain lidocaine already as part of the formulation. He places the gel under the skin with a fine needle or cannula, adjusting the depth as needed for the treatment area. Most injections take 15 to 45 minutes from beginning to end.
Immediate Results
You will see an increase in volume right away. Sometimes this is a little exaggerated because of initial swelling, and you may notice redness or bumps around the injection area that settle as your body heals the injection points. Most activities are okay to return to right away, but Dr. Sumida may ask you to stay away from intense heat or exercise for the rest of the day.
Restylane Recovery and Aftercare
Restylane needs little recovery, but make sure to follow all of your doctor’s instructions for taking care of your skin after treatment. If you have swelling, you can prop an extra pillow under your head to keep it elevated while you sleep and use gentle cold compresses for several minutes at a time.
Avoid touching or pressing the areas that have been injected so the filler stays in its intended location while it integrates into the tissue. Stay out of the sun and saunas for 24 hours, and do not get facials or other skin treatments for several weeks unless they are part of Dr. Sumida’s treatment plan. Any bruising will fade within the first week and can be covered with makeup. After a few days, any swelling will go down, and you will be able to see your full results.
Restylane vs Other Injectables
Restylane vs JUVÉDERM
Restylane and JUVÉDERM are both hyaluronic acid fillers and add volume in similar ways. The main difference is their texture. Restylane products have a firmer gel that stays where it is placed, for precise shaping and structure. JUVÉDERM products are smoother and tend to spread more. We offer Restylane products at Nuance Cosmetic Surgery.
Restylane vs Neuromodulators
Restylane and neuromodulators, like Dysport®, treat different types of wrinkles and do not belong to the same family of injectables. While the Restylane family is used for volume, Dysport is used for dynamic wrinkles. It works by relaxing the muscles that create these expression lines around the eyes or on the forehead. Some patients use both for different signs of aging.
Are There Any Side Effects of Restylane?
Adverse effects of Restylane injections are both mild and temporary. Commonly reported ones include:
- Swelling
- Numbness
- Bruising
- Redness
- Soreness
- Scabbing at injection site
- Itching
During your initial consultation with Dr. Sumida, the risks and possible side effects from a Restylane injection will be discussed. Your healing and progress will also be monitored to ensure that you are getting the best results from your rejuvenation.
A Closer Look at Restylane Safety and Allergy Testing
With certain other skin rejuvenation treatments, allergy testing must be done beforehand to ensure that patients will not have reactions to the ingredients. This was common in older fillers that were used before hyaluronic acid fillers, such as bovine collagen fillers.
Restylane is made from a natural fermentation process in a sterile environment, significantly reducing the risk of an allergic reaction in patients who are triggered by common foods such as chicken, beef and eggs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Restylane
How much does Restylane cost?
The cost of Restylane depends on how many syringes you need and which formula treats your concern. Most patients need one to two syringes per area. Because pricing is set per syringe, treating several areas raises the total. Restylane is cosmetic, so insurance does not cover it. Once Dr. Sumida knows your plan, he gives you a clear estimate at your visit, and our office can also review payment options with you.
How long do Restylane results last?
Results are evident for up to 6 months and sometimes even longer, depending on the treated areas. Longevity depends on the particular product used, as some Restylane fillers last longer than others, and on the area that is treated. Certain areas that have more motion, such as the lips, won’t last as long because of this motion, and the longevity can also depend on other factors like metabolism and lifestyle. You can get the most out of your results by following good aftercare protocols, such as proper skincare and sun protection.
Does Restylane hurt?
Most patients feel only mild discomfort. The needle is fine, and most Restylane formulas contain lidocaine to numb the area as the filler goes in. Dr. Sumida can also apply a numbing cream to the surface of the skin first. You may feel a small pinch or pressure, but the treatment is short and well tolerated.
Is Restylane permanent?
Restylane is not permanent. Eventually, the visible volume supplied by dermal fillers will diminish. You can keep your look with follow-up treatments as the effect fades.
Can Restylane be dissolved?
If you are unhappy with your result or your goals change, an enzyme called hyaluronidase can break down the filler. This option is one reason many patients feel comfortable trying hyaluronic acid fillers, since the effect can be reversed.
Why Choose Nuance Cosmetic Surgery?
Nuance Cosmetic Surgery is a full-service plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgery center in Folsom. Because the practice offers both injectables and surgery, Dr. Sumida can point you toward the option that truly fits your goal rather than the only one on the menu.
The practice also runs a full skin fitness program, with medical-grade peels and laser treatments. You can address tone, texture and lost volume in one place under one team. The surgery center is accredited and sits directly across from Mercy Folsom Hospital.
Meet Dr. Kenneth Sumida
Dr. Kenneth Sumida is a California native and board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. His training spans both coasts. After his undergraduate years at the University of California, Davis, he earned his medical degree at Tufts University Medical School in Boston. He then completed a general surgery residency at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu before returning home to specialize in plastic surgery at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento.
Dr. Sumida was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha, and today, he is on the medical staff at Mercy Folsom and holds membership in the Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Outside the office, he has given back to the arts as a former board member of the Sacramento Ballet.
Schedule Your Restylane Consultation in Folsom, CA
Contact Nuance Cosmetic Surgery today to set up an appointment or ask about one of our other skin rejuvenation treatments. If wrinkles, thin lips or flat cheeks have started to bother you, Restylane offers a way to add volume without surgery. Dr. Sumida will listen to your goals and build a plan that fits your face. Call our Folsom office at 916-984-4242 or use the contact form on our website to request a visit. Our office is at 1641 Creekside Drive, Suite 100, and we welcome patients from across the Sacramento region and beyond.
