What are Restylane and Lyft?
Restylane and Lyft are clear hyaluronic acid non-animal derived gel dermal fillers, similar to those naturally occurring in our skin. When injected in tiny amounts through a very fine needle, Restylane and Lyft will provide volume and restore fullness. This result is instant and lasts about a year or longer.
How is Lyft different from Restylane?
Lyft is a more concentrated version of Restylane that is used for correcting deeper acne scars and facial grooves and hollows, and for restoring facial contours.
How are they different from Botox® Cosmetic?
Restylane is a natural cosmetic product that fills in wrinkles and furrows and enhances lips. In contrast, Botox and Dysport™ Cosmetic are drugs that relax underlying muscles that produce frown lines, forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, lip lines, chin dimpling, and neck banding. Many patients have been pleased after receiving treatment with both products.
Are Restylane and Lyft safe?
Yes. Restylane has been used safely by dermatologists since 1996 worldwide. Because Restylane is a genetically engineered, non-animal–based, and fully biocompatible product, allergy testing is not required.
The most commonly reported side effects include temporary redness and swelling at the injection site that typically resolves within two to three days. Other less common side effects have also been reported and we will discuss these with you before treatment.
Can Restylane and Lyft be used anywhere on the face?
In the U.S., these products are currently approved for mid- to deep-dermal implantation for the correction of moderate-to-severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as smile lines, furrows, and marionette lines. Restylane and Lyft can also be used to fill in cheek bones, under-eye hollows, jaw lines, and to refill and contour lips. Restylane has been used in more than one million treatments in over 60 countries to correct a variety of wrinkles and to enhance the appearance and fullness of lips.
What should patients do prior to treatment?
Restylane and Lyft require no pretesting, but patients should take a few precautions before being treated. You should avoid using aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, St. John’s Wort, and high doses of vitamin E prior to treatment, because these may increase bruising and bleeding at the injection site.
Do the injections hurt?
Restylane and Lyft are pre-mixed with a little lidocaine and are injected directly into the skin in tiny amounts by a fine needle, resulting in minimal discomfort. The procedure is simple and convenient, and results are practically instantaneous. To optimize your comfort we may apply a topical anesthetic to the treatment area.
Jeffrey H. Binstock, MD is a Fellow of:
