What is the Difference Between Restylane and Restylane Lyft?

Since the Restylane line of dermal fillers was approved for use in 1996, Restylane injectables have been used by millions of individuals to help fight signs of facial aging and restore volume to the skin. Two of the most popular products are the classic Restylane filler and Restylane Lyft.

So what makes Restylane different from Restylane Lyft? Restylane is great for moderate to severe wrinkles in common treatment areas like laugh lines and marionette lines. On the other hand, Restylane Lyft works well on deeper wrinkles and can correct the loss of volume in the chin, the cheeks and the back of the hands. 

Restylane vs Restylane Lyft

Restylane products are made with hyaluronic acid (HA), a natural substance that is responsible for holding the skin’s moisture and lubricating the joints and eyes. Hyaluronic acid works to replace volume loss by attracting water molecules and stimulating collagen production, making it a perfect ingredient for skin care. 

Both Restylane and Restylane Lyft are gels made from stabilized hyaluronic acid and a sodium chloride solution with a pH level of 7. These two products can be distinguished by their viscosity and lifting power over specific treatment areas and the severity of the wrinkles. 

Restylane 

The original Restylane formula is an all-around solution for common facial areas which require correction and enhancement. The gel is injected into places where severe wrinkles and other signs of aging appear, filling in the gaps and lines to create a smooth appearance. 

Restylane works wonders for adding volume and fullness to the skin, as well as enhancing the lips. If you want to fix the nasolabial lines between your nose and your mouth, most doctors would recommend classic Restylane. With this formula, you can see results right away but the full effects won’t be visible until after a few days. 

As Restylane stimulates the natural collagen production in your body, you won’t need as many follow-up treatments and the results can last you 6 – 9 months.

Restylane Lyft 

Compared to Restylane, Restylane Lyft is a newer product on the market. It is the first and only FDA-approved hyaluronic acid filler for correcting volume loss in the face and the hands. 

As a thicker gel, Restylane Lyft can address the more obvious signs of aging related to volume loss.

Restylane Lyft is recommended for older patients who feel like they look hollow, gaunt, or tired. It’s a good product for smoothing deeper and more severe wrinkles like nasolabial folds, as well as adding fullness around the eyes. As its name suggests, it can lift and fill depressed areas around the face like the cheeks and temples. Restylane Lyft is also unique as it can restore lost volume on the back of the hands, making them look plump and smooth again. 

The results of Restylane Lyft can last you 6 – 12 months, depending on the treatment area. In areas which experience more motion like the hands and cheeks, the filler may only last up to 6 months. 

Which Restylane Injectable Is Best For You?

In addition to Restylane and Restylane Lyft, there are other Restylane injectable products available which may better suit your needs. The Restylane line of soft and firm injectable gels have different formulations of HA designed for specific purposes. Each sister product has a transparent, gel-like consistency that differs only in the size of the gel particles. Let’s look at Restylane Silk, Restylane Refyne, and Restylane Defyne: 

Restylane Silk 

Restylane Silk is a smaller and smoother gel compared to the other injectables in the Restylane line as it is designed specifically for lip augmentation. It is the first FDA-approved product for subtle lip enhancements that simultaneously erase the wrinkles around the mouth. 

For younger patients who want to enhance thin lips, Restylane Silk is excellent for making your pout look fuller and plumper. Older patients can also treat volume loss and wrinkling around the mouth with this dermal filler as it can improve symmetry while keeping everything looking natural. 

Restylane Silk is administered with an ultrafine needle for accurate, precise results. Your lips will become softer, silkier, and smoother after treatment. However, the hyaluronic acid in the formula breaks down faster because of lip movement so the results tend to last only 6 months. 

Restylane Refyne

Restylane Refyne is good for restoring a natural look while treating mild to moderate wrinkles and lines. Mid-to-deep injections of this filler integrate with the skin to soften and smooth the laugh lines around your mouth, such as the nasolabial folds or marionette lines.

Created with XpresHan technology, Restylane Refyne can help you maintain control over your natural facial expression. Unlike facial treatments which freeze the muscles, Refyne keeps everything flexible for up to 12 months. 

Restylane Defyne 

Restylane Defyne is similar to Restylane Defyne in almost every aspect. However, Restylane Defyne works better to smooth out moderate to severe lines. Deep nasolabial and marionette lines can be erased by Restylane Defyne. Patients can get fantastic results for up to 12 months with full freedom of expression in the face and the mouth. 

6 Must-Know Things Before Any Restylane Treatment

Once you have decided on which type of Restylane filler you want to get and where, there are a few things to keep in mind prior to your procedure:

Restylane sessions won’t last more than an hour.

Restylane products are made from hyaluronic acid, a material which is not made from animals so it’s fully biocompatible. You won’t need to take an allergy test because there is zero risk of an allergic reaction. The exact time you will finish the session depends on the areas your doctor will work on. Results are immediate and you’ll see a major difference once it’s over. 

The Restylane injections are painless.

Restylane injectables contain an ingredient called lidocaine, a numbing element that keeps treatment virtually pain-free. An ultra-fine needle or a micro-cannula is used to inject the filler so long as you have the procedure done by an experienced, board-certified doctor, you can expect minimal discomfort. 

You may experience some side effects.

Side effects and recovery time varies from person to person so it’s best to prepare yourself for the possibility of mild bruising, swelling, redness, pain, headaches, tenderness, lump formation, itching, or impaired hand function. 

You will need some aftercare.

As with any cosmetic procedure, aftercare will help you minimize pain and achieve the best results. Avoid any extreme temperatures for the week after and skip the sauna, sunbed, or sun or cold exposure. Instead of massaging or rubbing the treatment area, press a cold compress to prevent bruising and swelling. 

It is possible to dissolve the filler if you’re unhappy.

You won’t have to worry if the results are not what you expected. As hyaluronic acid is a compound that naturally breaks down over time, the results won’t be permanent. Your provider can also use an enzyme called hyaluronidase to dissolve the filler immediately.

You have to stop taking NSAIDs and other blood-thinning medication.

At least a week prior to your Restylane session, you will need to stop taking non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory and blood-thinning medication, like aspirin and St. John’s Wort. Supplements like fish oil and vitamin E should also be avoided in the meantime. 

Book Your Restylane Session At Ethos Spa 

At Ethos Spa, we help our patients achieve the beautiful results they want with the correct Restylane product. Our expert, board-certified doctors can help you figure out which injectables will work best for your cosmetic concern. Schedule a consultation with us today. 

Read more: Sculptra or Restylane: Which One Is Better For You?