What Restylane Is About

Restylane™ is one of the injectable fillers available at Toronto Cosmetic Clinic, much like its older cousin BOTOX®. Where they differ is in their nature. Whereas the latter acts as a paralytic agent, Restylane™ is an actual filler. It adds volume to facial tissue. This is also why its use is limited, unlike the varied uses that BOTOX® has been put to.

The first application of Restylane™ was back in 1996, designed by Dr Bengt Ågerup and the company Q-Med in Uppsala, Sweden.

What About BOTOX®

One of the key difference is the nature of the actual substances themselves. BOTOX® is produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, type A (BTX-A), whereas Restylane™ originally comes from a naturally occuring bodily substance called hyaluronic acid. Restylane™ is the trade name for it: a clear Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid gel-like substance. For this reason, it's considered one of the many natural ways to improve one's facial appearance at Toronto Cosmetic Clinic. Tiny amounts of the gel are injected into targeted areas of the skin.

What Restylane™ Is For

The primary purpose of Restylane™ is to smooth out smile lines, severe and moderate facial wrinkles, and folds. In particular, the folds which occur around the nose and mouth. These are called the nasolabial folds.

Other targeted areas can include the forehead and around the eyes. In the case of the latter, it's usually to fill out facial hollows which tend to appear over time. For the former, it's usually meant to smooth out wrinkles.

Restylane™ is also used for the purposes of lip augmentation at Toronto Cosmetic Clinic.

The Advantages

One enticing feature of Restylane™ is the potentially lower frequency of follow-up injections. The effects of a single shot can last for as long as six months, compared to three to four months for BOTOX®. In addition, the fact that it has been synthesized from a naturally occurring substance.

Side Effects

Some of Restylane™'s potential side effects include mild bruising, redness, swelling, tenderness and itching. There may also be some mild discomfort around the area treated. However, a great deal can depend upon the individual's condition. The injectable fillers specialist at Toronto Cosmetic Clinic will utilize their experience and knowledge to minimize any side effects from occurring. For this reason, an initial consultation with the physician performing the injection of Restylane™ is warranted.