Skin Care Review: Restylane Hyaluronic Acid Filler

Rating
Adverse Effects

Benefits
Made my lips appear significantly plumper and more youthful.

Drawbacks
Induced an intermittent allergic reaction for around 2 years afterwards.

Details
When I was in my late twenties I decided to have Restylane injected into my lips to make them appear larger and fuller. I did not like the idea of using collagen, mostly because of the risks of experiencing an allergic reaction. Because hyaluronic acid is a natural substance in the body, my cosmetic dermatologist assured me it was not possible to have an immune response (although I noticed that the consent form he gave me mentioned that some individuals - around 1 in 1000 - would experience intermittent swelling and tenderness).

The procedure itself was fine - I asked for a dental block so my lips were completely numb and I think that was a good idea. However, at intervals for the next 2 years or so portions of the treated area would become very tender and swollen, with a classic immune response. The whole lipline never swelled up at the same time: the swelling would pass like a slow wave, going from one half-inch of the lipline to the next, taking around 1-2 days to pass across the lipline and thus making me look lop-sided the whole time. There was a clear tendency for a flare-up to occur just as my immune system recovered from being run-down: just after a period of stress, or on the first day I felt better after a bout of flu, etc. Therefore I assume my immune system was fighting the Restylane the whole time, but it was only obvious when it kicked in again after a break.

I guess I was the "1 in 1000" that has a reaction, but the cosmetic doctor annoyed me slightly by being obviously sceptical when I reported this problem to him. I kept getting this reaction for a long time after the visible effects of the Restylane had faded - I suppose there was still some left in the skin. Thankfully though it went away completely within 3 years and I had no other side effects.

Conclusions
Good effects, but allergic reactions ARE possible, even to Restylane.

Price (paid by reviewer)
$600

Where to find it
Cosmetic Surgeon/Dermatologist