If you are looking for a non-surgical solution to wrinkles, with no incisions or downtime, Restylane just might be for you. It was approved by the USFDA in 2003. To date, over a million people in over sixty countries have been treated effectively with this product. As a natural and safe filler, it can add fullness and volume to facial folds and wrinkles. This transparent gel is injected into the skin, especially around the nose and mouth, for a smoother appearance.

You can expect great results from a treatment. Restylane can help smooth moderate to even severe facial wrinkles. While about one-third of all patients require two or more treatments, most see an improvement after just one.

With no serious side effects, Restylane is considered to be very safe. However, it is possible to experience pain, tenderness, bruising, redness, swelling and itching for a few days after treatment. Because Restylane is made of a non-animal substance, it is biocompatible and there is limited risk of animal-based disease transmission or allergic reactions to animal proteins.

The longevity of the results varies. Usually the improvements are evident for about six to twelve months, although such factors as the age and skin type of the patient can determine how long the benefits will last. The results of treatment are immediately visible. The treatments themselves usually last from twenty to thirty minutes.

Restylane is made of a biodegradable hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring substance produced in the human body. Restylane is injected directly beneath the surface of the skin. It saturates the dermal tissue and binds to water molecules. Because of this bond, water molecules actually assist in achieving and maintaining volume. The hyaluronic acid adds volume and lift using the skins own natural moisture, resulting in smoother wrinkles and less noticeable folds. Over time, Restylane gradually degrades in the body and dissolves without any trace or residue.

Restylane and Botox work in entirely different ways. Botox Cosmetic is also a non-surgical injection used for temporarily smoothing wrinkles; especially frown lines, forehead creases, crows feet and the neck. This is the cosmetic form of botulinum toxin. The toxin blocks the nerve impulses, temporarily paralyzing the muscles that cause wrinkles while giving the skin a smoother, more refreshed appearance. The full effect is usually visible within two to seven days after the treatment. Results vary and can last for three to six months.