Quick Summary
- Restylane® is a family of hyaluronic acid fillers used to restore facial volume, soften wrinkles and folds, enhance the lips, and improve facial contours.
- Available Restylane® formulas can address the tear troughs, cheeks, chin, lips, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and age-related volume loss in the hands.
- Results generally last from six to 18 months, depending on the product, treatment area, metabolism, and individual response.
- Treatment requires little to no downtime, although temporary swelling, redness, bruising, tenderness, or itching may occur.
- Fante Eye & Face Center selects each Restylane® product and injection plan based on the patient’s anatomy, facial movement, skin thickness, and goals.
Restylane® is a family of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers that can soften facial wrinkles, restore lost volume, enhance the lips, and improve areas such as smile lines, marionette lines, and tear troughs without surgery. Because hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the body, Restylane® can create smoother, fuller, and more refreshed facial contours while still allowing results to look natural.
At Fante Eye & Face Center, patients in Denver, Greenwood Village, and the surrounding Colorado communities receive expert non-surgical treatment from doctors with advanced oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery training. Dr. Robert Fante is double board-certified. Both Dr. Levitt and Dr. Huang are ASOPRS-trained surgeons and ASOPRS Candidate Members, allowing the practice to offer injectable treatments with a detailed understanding of facial anatomy, balance, and the delicate eye area.
What is Restylane®?
The original dermal filler was Restylane®, approved by the FDA for use in the United States in 2003. It remains, along with Juvéderm®, among the world’s most popular fillers. Restylane® is categorized as a ‘natural’ filler because it is made primarily of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body that helps plump and firm the skin. Hyaluronic acid does this partly by binding with nearby water molecules.
What began as a single product, Restylane®, has grown into an entire family of fillers, much like Juvéderm®. At Fante Eye & Face Center, we carry the entire line of Restylane® fillers.
What Are the Benefits of Restylane®?
When Restylane® gel is injected beneath the skin, it can restore volume, soften creases, and help the treated area appear smoother and more youthful. Depending on the specific Restylane® product used, treatment may improve nasolabial folds, marionette lines, tear troughs, dark circles, thinning lips, vertical lip lines, cheek volume loss, or age-related volume changes in the hands.
For lip enhancement, Restylane® can add subtle definition, improve symmetry, and create a fuller appearance while still preserving natural movement. Because the Restylane® family includes multiple formulations, our doctors can recommend the product that best fits the area being treated, the skin’s thickness, and the patient’s goals.
How Does Restylane® Work?
Restylane gel works by placing volume underneath your skin. It is injected where you’ve lost collagen and other tissue. The hyaluronic acid in Restylane clings to your skin at the injection site, and the water in the acid provides volume. This helps smooth out, plump, and lift skin.
Restylane® Vs. Juvéderm®
Both of these dermal fillers are very similar. They are both made of hyaluronic acid, so there is no need for allergy testing. In addition, they both tend to be smooth before and after injection.
Here are some of the differences between the world’s most popular fillers:
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Fluid accumulation under the skin — Restylane® typically causes less fluid to accumulate around it than Juvéderm®. This is a significant advantage for the thin skin around the eyes, where Restylane® is preferred. For other parts of the face with thicker skin, it may be a small disadvantage since Juvéderm® may provide a little more fullness.
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Smoothness — There is some opinion that Juvéderm® is smoother than Restylane®, although both products behave very similarly in patients and neither is likely to cause bumpiness.
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Cohesiveness — Some doctors feel Restylane® is more cohesive and tends to stay where it was placed better than Juvéderm®. This allows Restylane® to be used to build up areas such as the lower eyelids and tear troughs. It is also used to highlight the edges of the lips, such as the cupid’s bow.
The Restylane® Family of Fillers
At Fante Eye & Face Center in Denver, we offer all six facial fillers in the Restylane® family. Like Juvéderm®, all of these are hyaluronic acid fillers and are intended for different areas of the face. The Restylane® products we offer include:
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Restylane-L®Restylane Logo
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Restylane® Silk:
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Restylane® Lyft:
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Restylane® Refyne:
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Restylane® Defyne:
Restylane-l®:
Restylane® was the first hyaluronic acid dermal filler and remains very popular worldwide. Restylane-L is Restylane® with Lidocaine added for comfort. This filler is ideal for improving the tear trough and reducing dark circles below the eyes. It targets these areas by adding volume beneath the wrinkle or crease and pushing the surface skin upward. The results last from 6-12 months.
Restylane® Silk:
Restylane® Silk is an alternative to Juvéderm® Volbella. It is used for subtle lip enhancement and to correct vertical lip lines. The results last around six months.
Restylane® Lyft:
Restylane® Lyft adds volume to the cheeks and corrects smile lines. We also use this for hand rejuvenation. This dermal filler is an alternative to Juvéderm® Voluma. The results last from one year to 18 months.
Restylane® Refyne:
Restylane® Refyne was approved by the FDA in December 2016. This new addition to the Restylane® line (along with Defyne, see below) is used to correct marionette lines and nasolabial folds. Refyne is specifically formulated to treat mild to moderate lines and wrinkles. Galderma has cross-linked the gel in Restylane® Refyne and Defyne to support the patient’s natural expressions, delivering real-life results that maintain movement when smiling, frowning, or otherwise moving your mouth.
Restylane® Defyne:
Like Refyne, Defyne also specifically targets nasolabial folds and marionette lines. It can also be used to aesthetically augment the chin. The difference is that Defyne is designed for use on moderate-to-severe creases and lines. Both Refyne and Defyne provide results that last up to one year.
Can Restylane® and Botox Be Injected in the Same Session?
Because they function in entirely different ways, dermal fillers such as Restylane® and neuromodulators such as Botox can be used together. Facial fillers “fill” wrinkles and reshape the face from beneath the skin. This differs completely from neuromodulators like Botox®, which relax the muscles that cause wrinkles when they contract.
Usually, they are injected into different areas because they perform different functions. Some patients prefer to wait the 4-6 days it takes for Botox to fully relax the injected muscle before opting for a filler to fill any remaining wrinkles or creases.
What Are the Side Effects of Restylane®?
Since Restylane® is made with hyaluronic acid, which occurs naturally in the human body, allergic reactions are almost unheard of, so pre-testing isn’t necessary. The most commonly observed side effects are swelling, redness, pain, bruising, headaches, tenderness, lump formation, and itching at the injection sites. These are typically mild in severity and usually resolve on their own within 7 days for smile and marionette lines, and within 14 days for the lips. If you’re allergic to lidocaine you cannot use Restylane®-L, as it has some lidocaine in the product to keep the patient comfortable.
Occasionally, lumps or granulomas can form near the injection sites. This side effect can be reversed with an injection of hyaluronidase, an enzyme that accelerates the natural degradation of hyaluronic acid in the body.
As with all fillers, your injector’s expertise is important for achieving the best results. The team at Fante Eye & Face Center has received special training in the use of various fillers, including the entire Restylane® family. Our team has extensive experience with Restylane® and other facial injectable treatments. There is no downtime after an injection with any Restylane® product, aside from the possible side effects described above.
Am I a Good Candidate for Restylane®?
You may be a good candidate for Restylane® if you want to restore lost facial volume, soften wrinkles or folds, improve under-eye hollows, enhance the lips, contour the cheeks or chin, or rejuvenate the hands without surgery. Ideal candidates are generally in good health, have realistic expectations, and want a nonsurgical treatment that can be customized to their facial anatomy and goals.
Restylane® may not be the best option for every concern. Dynamic wrinkles caused by repeated facial movement are often better treated with Botox® or another neuromodulator, while more significant sagging or skin laxity may require a lifting procedure or another treatment. During your consultation, our team can help determine whether Restylane®, another filler, Botox®, Sculptra®, fat transfer, or a different option is most appropriate.
Alternatives to Restylane® Fillers
Restylane® is one option for restoring volume, softening wrinkles, and improving facial contours, but it is not the only injectable treatment available. Depending on your goals, our team may recommend alternatives such as Juvéderm®, Sculptra®, Botox®, fat transfer, laser resurfacing, professional skin care, or a surgical procedure.
For example, Botox® may be better suited for dynamic wrinkles caused by muscle movement, while Sculptra® or fat transfer may be considered for broader volume restoration. Patients with more significant skin laxity or facial sagging may benefit more from a lifting procedure. During your consultation, our team can help compare your options and recommend the treatment or combination of treatments that best fits your anatomy and goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Restylane® restores volume beneath the skin rather than relaxing facial muscles. The team at Fante Eye & Face Center uses precise, conservative placement to preserve natural expression and facial movement.
Yes. Some patients prefer to begin with a conservative amount of filler and add more during a later visit if needed. This gradual approach can help maintain balanced proportions and avoid an overfilled appearance.
Results are visible soon after treatment, but temporary swelling or bruising may take several days to resolve. Scheduling treatment at least two weeks before an important event gives the area time to settle, particularly when treating the lips.
Why Choose Fante Eye & Face Center for Restylane®?
Restylane® treatment requires precise product selection, careful injection technique, and a detailed understanding of facial anatomy. This is especially important when treating delicate or highly visible areas such as the tear troughs, lower eyelids, lips, cheeks, and smile lines, where small adjustments can make a noticeable difference in both safety and cosmetic outcome.
At Fante Eye & Face Center, Restylane® treatment is performed with the insight of physicians who specialize in oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Robert Fante is a double board-certified oculofacial plastic surgeon and a nationally recognized leader in facial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Alexandra Levitt is a board-certified, fellowship-trained oculofacial plastic surgeon with advanced training from Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and the University of Colorado. Dr. Amy Huang is a fellowship-trained oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgeon with expertise in cosmetic and functional eyelid, orbital, and facial surgery. Together, their training helps patients receive Restylane® care that is customized, anatomically precise, and focused on natural-looking facial balance.
Restylane® Consultation in Denver, Greenwood Village, Castle Pines and Highlands Ranch
If you are interested in restoring facial volume, softening wrinkles, enhancing the lips, improving under-eye hollows, or refining facial contours, Fante Eye & Face Center can help you explore whether Restylane® is right for you. During your consultation, our team will evaluate your concerns, discuss your goals, and explain whether Restylane®, Juvéderm®, Botox®, Sculptra®, fat transfer, or another treatment may be appropriate.
To book a consultation with Fante Eye & Face Center in Denver, CO, serving patients from Greenwood Village, Castle Pines and the surrounding communities, call (303) 839-1616 today.