Restylane by Dr Rita Rakus 'The London Lip Queen'
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Restylane

Frequently Asked Questions

Dr Rakus is world renowned for her subtle and beautiful lip treatments which add gradual improvement to your face

Follow these links to our Restylane, Perlane, RestylaneLipp or
RestylaneTouch pages

Call +44 (0) 20 7460 7324 for your FREE CONSULTATION
or contact Dr Rita Rakus

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers relating to RestylaneTouch, Restylane and Perlane treatments
(Please click on the question to get to the answer)

• What is RESTYLANE^®?
• How does RESTYLANE work?
• What are the advantages of RESTYLANE over the many other injectable non surgical cosmetic treatments?
• Why is RESTYLANE described as a natural beauty treatment?
• What does the RESTYLANE treatment involve?
• Will the RESTYLANE treatment hurt?
• What areas can be treated with RESTYLANE?
• RESTYLANE is FDA approved, what does this mean?
• You keep talking about hyaluronic acid, does this mean it burns?
• What are the risks of the RESTYLANE treatment side effects?
• What happens to my RESTYLANE treated skin in the sun or in the cold?
• Who is Q-Med?

What is RESTYLANE^®?

RESTYLANE is a non-surgical cosmetic treatment. It enhances your looks naturally by restoring your skin's youthful volume, creating softness and revitalising your appearance.

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How does RESTYLANE work?

RESTYLANE is a crystal-clear gel made from a unique stabilized non-animal hyaluronic acid and water. The gel is a biotechnologically produced version of hyaluronic acid, a tissue friendly substance that occurs naturally in the body which plays a vital role in the production of healthy skin and the skin's hydration system. 

By replenishing nature's supply of hyaluronic acid RESTYLANE revitalises and plumps up the skin, instantly diminishing the appearance of lines and giving a softer look. The gel is injected into the skin to restore lost volume. RESTYLANE instantly diminishes the effects of wrinkles and lines, restores cheeks, creates shapely lips to give a more youthful look. It is not collagen and it is not Botox. RESTYLANE does not affect facial expression.

Recent studies illustrate that RESTYLANE stimulates the production of collagen and improves overall skin tone and elasticity.

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RESTYLANE and RESTYLANE Perlane

• Diminishes the appearance of frown lines on the forehead and above the nose
• Softens those harsh creases from the nose to the mouth
• Plumps up lips and enhances the border around them, increasing definition and helping lipstick and liner stay put
• Corrects ageing marionette lines at the corners of the mouth
• Plumps cheeks and accentuates natural features, e.g. high cheek bones
• Gives a gentle lift to the brow

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RESTYLANE Sub-Q - separate fact sheet available

• For facial contouring and sculpting, to increase chin and cheek definition

RESTYLANE Vital - separate fact sheet available

• For skin rejuvenation. To counter the effects of photo damaged skin, (sun
  damage) ideal for backs of hands, décolletage and necks
• New RESTYLANE Lipp (launched in the UK in February 2006)
  A new RESTYLANE treatment tailored to integrate with the lip vasculature to
  provide improved lip enhancement treatment results and longevity, (separate
  fact sheet available)

RESTYLANE Touch

• Fills in acne scars and niggling imperfections. Great for treating lipstick bleed
  lines and sleep creases.

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What are the advantages of RESTYLANE over the many other injectable non surgical cosmetic treatments?

• Natural and safe - FDA approved in December 2003
• No animal ingredients
• No skin test needed
• Instant and long lasting results, from 9 - 18months
• Biodegradable, non permanent
• Quick treatment, takes around 30 minutes
• Extensive clinical data, spanning over 12 years, supporting efficacy and safety

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Why is RESTYLANE described as a natural beauty treatment?

RESTYLANE is injected into the skin restoring youthful volume to smooth facial lines, enhance lips and facial contours creating a natural beauty lift.

RESTYLANE contains Stabilised Non-Animal Hyaluronic Acid (NASHA™) which is the basis of all Q-Med products. The patented and unique stabilisation process employed by Q-Med in the manufacture of RESTYLANE results in a minimally modified hyaluronic acid (HA) molecule. Hyaluronic acid exists naturally in our bodies. Its most important function is to carry and bind water.

The RESTYLANE HA molecule is virtually identical to that of our natural HA in our skin - the body recognizes RESTYLANE as endogenous. This reduces the risk for inflammatory reaction and ensures long lasting treatment results.

Nutrients, oxygen and hormones are able to pass freely between the crystal clear gel particles, leaving the skin natural and healthy looking. As the gel breaks down, water takes its place and when totally absorbed the gel disappears unnoticed from the body.

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What does the RESTYLANE treatment involve?

RESTYLANE is injected into the skin in tiny quantities using a very fine needle. The gel gives natural volume to smooth away the appearance of lines, restore lost volume in the skin to restore cheeks to their former glory and to create fuller, shapelier lips.

The treatment is very quick and often takes less than 20 minutes. No skin test is required because RESTYLANE does not contain any animal derived ingredients.

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Will the RESTYLANE treatment hurt?

Some people may experience the treatment as uncomfortable. A local anaesthetic cream is often used when treating facial lines. The cream needs to be applied 30-40 minutes prior to treatment. Another form of anaesthesia, a dental bloc, is often used when enhancing lips to numb the area being treated.

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What areas can be treated with RESTYLANE?

RESTYLANE treatments can be used for smoothing out facial lines, creating more sensuous looking lips and shaping facial contours, such as cheeks and chins. It is a subtle approach to enhancing looks naturally.

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How long does the RESTYLANE treatment effect last?

One of the great advantages of RESTYLANE is that the effects are long lasting but not permanent.

Facial lines, cheek augmentation: Follow-up treatment is usually needed after 9-12 months.

Lips: Follow-up with RESTYLANE Lipp is needed after about 6 months.

Hands, décolletage: Follow up with RESTYLANE Vital is recommended at around 9 months.

However, duration depends on many factors, such as skin type, lifestyle, age, the degree of perfection demanded by the patient and the injection technique of the practitioner.

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RESTYLANE is FDA approved, what does this mean?

In December 2003, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), the regulatory authority in the USA, approved RESTYLANE for the treatment of facial lines. RESTYLANE is the first injectable cosmetic treatment made from stabilized non-animal hyaluronic acid, to be approved by the FDA.

The FDA has strict regulations, even more rigorous than most equivalent regulatory agencies in Europe. Many medical devices and cosmetic products fail to meet its demanding criteria. FDA approval of RESTYLANE is further proof that RESTYLANE is one of the safest and most effective non-surgical treatments available today.

More than 9 million treatments have been carried out since the launch of RESTYLANE in 1996 which is further testimony to RESTYLANE's safety.

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You keep talking about hyaluronic acid, does this mean it burns?

No. Hyaluronic acid is a form of sugar molecule that occurs naturally in both humans and animals. The word acid is used in the biological sense, as in a type of protein, in the same way as doctors talk about amino acids or DNA.

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What are the risks of RESTYLANE side effects?

Some common injection-related reactions might occur after a RESTYLANE injection. These reactions include redness, swelling, pain, itching, discoloration or tenderness at the injection site. They typically resolve spontaneously within one or two days after injection. Adverse events are very rare with an incidence of 1:20,000

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What happens to my RESTYLANE treated skin in the sun or in the cold?

The treated areas must not be exposed to intense heat or extreme cold for the first few days after treatment. This is to avoid risk of inflammation since the area has been disturbed. The gel will not harden or soften as outside temperatures change. Saunas and steam rooms should also be avoided for the first few days after treatment.

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Who is Q-Med?

Q-Med is a Swedish biotechnology company, with headquarters in the town of Uppsala, near Stockholm, and offices around the world including the UK.

For further information

• about Restylane visit www.Restylane.com
• about Perlane visit www.Perlane-information.com
• about RestylaneTouch visit www.Restylanetouch.com,

Call +44 (0) 20 7460 7324 for your FREE CONSULTATION
or contact Dr Rita Rakus

Follow these links to our
Restylane, Perlane, RestylaneTouch or Restylane LIPP pages

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