Q:
Before I get to the doctors office for my next appointment I want to know why a company called Galderma is selling 2 products called “restylane lyft®” and “restylane” even though they are the same ingredients according to the website? I want to get fuller lips and hide wrinkles. Which injection, restylane or restylane lyft®, do I ask for?
A:
Restylane Lyft® and Restylane are similar products with important differences. Restylane and Restylane Lyft® are both hyaluronic acid filler products made by Galderma, Inc of Scottsdale, Arizona. They are similar products with important differences. Restylane Lyft® is a more highly crosslinked product than Restylane. Crosslinking is the process that allows these products the ability to persist in the tissue and provide long term benefits. In the case of Restylane, this product seems to last for about a year or more. Restylane Lyft® persists a bit longer and that time frame seems to be 4 to 6 months longer than the Restylane.
The products look similar however, when injecting the two products, it is immediately obvious the difference between the products. Restylane flows more readily than Restylane Lyft®. However, Restylane is not as “smooth” (or runny) Juvederm a competing product made by Allergan, Inc. This ability to flow is helpful in the lower eyelid and lip edge where too much fullness is very easy to see after a service. As a result it is important that for treatmented in this area, to use a product like Restylane that holds in the tissue and is not too runny but at the same time can be manipulated and sculpted. Read more by Dr. Steinsapir
To learn more about procedures and treatments performed by Beverly Hills | Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Kenneth Steinsapir, contact us at 310-274-7422