
Restylane Refyne is a dermal filler containing hyaluronic acid, used to treat nasolabial folds and marionette lines, which are wrinkles that form around the nose and extend to the corners of the mouth. Hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in the connective tissue of skin, making it an excellent ingredient for cosmetic procedures.
About Restylane
Restylane was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2003. Restylane adds volume underneath the skin where collagen and tissue have been lost. Adding volume helps smooth out and lift skin, helping it appear fuller and younger.
The hyaluronic acid in the Restylane adheres to the skin, while the water in the acid provides volume and attracts more water, helping to preserve the newly-added volume.
In a clinical study, subjects received Restylane Refyne and Restylane Defyne. After one month of treatment:
- 97% were satisfied with treatment results
- 97% would repeat the treatment
- 95% would recommend the products to a friend
Benefits of Restylane Refyne
The benefits of Restylane Refyne include:
- Soften laugh lines (nasolabial folds and marionette lines)
- Provide natural-looking results
- Support natural expression (smiling, frowning, puckering up, etc.)


Who is a Candidate?
Restylane Refyne is appropriate for individuals with moderate to severe deep facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds.
Restylane is not recommended for those who:
- Are allergic to bacterial protein
- Are immunocompromised
- Take blood thinners
- Are under age 21
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
Patients should speak to their doctor to determine if Restylane Refyne is an appropriate treatment for them.
Before the procedure, patients should stop taking:
- Blood-thinning medications
- Aspirin
- Vitamin E
- Fish oil
- Ibuprofen
- St. John’s wort
What to Expect
The doctor will begin by applying a mild anesthetic to help alleviate pain during the procedure. He or she will then clean the injection sites with an antiseptic. The doctor will consider the severity of the wrinkles to help determine how much Restylane is necessary. The injections will be made using an ultrafine needle.
The entire procedure is completed at the clinic and may take anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour. Patients are able to go home immediately after the procedure and continue their normal routine.
Patients will typically see full results within a week of the procedure. However, patients will also see immediate results because the product naturally adds volume once injected.
To maintain results, patients will need additional rounds of injections.
Recovery
Patients should expect temporary redness, swelling or bruising that typically resolves within a week. After the procedure, patients should limit their sun exposure to prevent additional swelling or bruising. Patients can take arnica, an over-the-counter medication that can help alleviate bruising and swelling.
Side Effects and Risks
Though the procedure is relatively safe, patients should be aware of potential side effects:
- Pain or itching at the injection site
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Headaches
- Tenderness
These side effects typically resolve within seven to 18 days.
Risks of Restylane include:
- Bruising or bleeding at the injection site
- Infection
- Allergic reaction
- Irregularities in the filling (uneven firmness of the skin)