Restylane: Hyaluronic Acid Filler System by Galderma
Overview: Restylane by Galderma
Restylane is one of the world's best-known and best-selling hyaluronic acid filler families, developed and manufactured by Swedish pharmaceutical company Galderma. The brand was launched in 1996 as one of the first non-animal hyaluronic acid fillers and has since revolutionized aesthetic medicine. Galderma, as an independent company specializing in dermatological and aesthetic solutions, operates its own research and development facilities worldwide. The Restylane portfolio today comprises over 15 different products for different facial and body areas.
The historical significance of Restylane cannot be overstated: before the introduction of non-animal HA fillers like Restylane, the standard for injectable fillers were bovine collagen (Zyderm, Zyplast) and human fat grafting. Restylane was the first HA product to offer comparable results with significantly lower allergy risk, without animal components and without harvesting procedures. This development marked a turning point in the history of aesthetic medicine.
NASHA Technology
Restylane uses the proprietary NASHA technology (Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid), developed at the Uppsala University in Sweden. NASHA is a specific production process in which hyaluronic acid from bacterial fermentation (Streptococcus equi bacteria) is cross-linked with BDDE (1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether) to form a stable gel. The NASHA process achieves a particularly high degree of purity and a consistent product quality, as the cross-linking structure of NASHA gels differs from other HA filler technologies in specific properties such as water retention, viscosity, and elasticity.
A key feature of NASHA technology is the precisely controlled degree of cross-linking, which determines the properties of the individual Restylane products. A higher degree of cross-linking results in stiffer, more persistent gels (e.g., Restylane Lyft for deep volume deficits), while a lower degree of cross-linking produces softer, more mobile gels (e.g., Restylane Silk for fine lip lines).
Product Portfolio
Restylane (classic): The original product for moderate to severe nasolabial folds and lip augmentation. Mid-dermal injection.
Restylane Lyft: Higher viscosity gel for deep volume deficits (cheeks, midface), perioral volume, and hand rejuvenation. Contains lidocaine for comfort. Subdermal to supraperiosteal injection.
Restylane Silk: Specifically optimized for fine lip lines and subtle lip augmentation. Soft, flexible gel for natural lip movement.
Restylane Kysse: For lip augmentation with natural feel and long duration. Contains XpresHAn technology for flexible movement.
Restylane Defyne: For deep nasolabial folds and marionette lines. XpresHAn technology for flexible movement with strong correction.
Restylane Refyne: For moderate nasolabial and marionette lines. XpresHAn technology for natural movement.
Restylane Volyme: For facial contouring and volume augmentation (cheeks, temples, chin). High projection and long duration.
Restylane Skinboosters: Non-cross-linked HA for skin hydration, improvement of skin quality and texture. Injected as small microinjections into the dermis.
Indications
Restylane products are used for: lip augmentation and contouring, nasolabial folds and marionette line correction, cheek and midface volume, chin and jawline definition, temple augmentation, periorbital correction (tear trough), hand rejuvenation, and skin biorevitalization (Skinboosters).
Results and Longevity
Restylane classic and Silk: 6 to 12 months. Restylane Lyft and Volyme: 12 to 18 months. Restylane Defyne and Refyne: 9 to 15 months. Restylane Kysse (lips): 6 to 9 months (mobile areas last shorter). Skinboosters: 6 months with measurable improvement in skin hydration for up to 12 months. Factors influencing longevity: individual metabolism, treatment area, lifestyle, injection technique.
Safety
Restylane is CE-certified and FDA-approved. The NASHA technology achieves extremely high purity (>99.9% HA). Common side effects: swelling, redness, tenderness (days 1 to 7). Rare: bruising, nodules. Very rare but serious: vascular occlusion (blockage of a blood vessel) requiring immediate hyaluronidase treatment. Restylane is fully reversible with hyaluronidase. Lidocaine-containing products are contraindicated in lidocaine allergy.
Costs
Restylane treatment costs vary depending on the product, treatment area, and physician: Lip augmentation with Restylane Silk or Kysse (1 ml): €400 to €700. Nasolabial correction with Restylane classic (1 to 2 ml): €400 to €900. Cheek/midface volume with Restylane Lyft (2 to 4 ml): €700 to €2,000. Hand rejuvenation with Skinboosters: €300 to €600 per session. Health insurance does not cover aesthetic filler treatments.