Reviewed and updated August 2026.
Restylane is not one product. It is a family of smooth hyaluronic acid gels, each formulation matched to the area being treated, which is what makes it the filler we reach for when the work is detailed: the lips, and the area under the eyes. It is FDA approved, it has been in use since 1996, and results typically last 6 to 18 months depending on the product and the treatment area. At Elume Medspa in Fairfax, VA it is administered under the care of Shaheen Ghafari, a licensed Nurse Practitioner.
How Restylane works
Hyaluronic acid is a substance that occurs naturally in the body, where it rounds and cushions the skin. Restylane uses a gel form of it to add volume and smooth lines by attracting and retaining moisture at the injection site. Placed into a targeted area, it restores lost volume, softens wrinkles and enhances contours, and over time the product integrates with your skin rather than sitting apart from it.
Because hyaluronic acid is naturally occurring, Restylane does not require allergy testing before treatment begins. That is a small practical point that matters when you are comparing filler options and trying to work out what each one actually asks of you before the first appointment.
Why the family matters more than the name
This is the part most people miss when they compare fillers by brand. Restylane is a range, and different formulations address specific concerns. A gel suited to the delicate area under the eyes is not the same gel you would choose for building structure elsewhere, and matching the formulation to the area is the substance of the treatment plan rather than a detail of it.
So when you read that Restylane lasts 6 to 18 months, that wide range is not vagueness. It reflects the fact that the answer depends on which product in the family is used and where it goes. Asking which specific Restylane product your provider intends to use, and why that one, is a better question than asking about the brand as a whole.
What Restylane treats
Restylane smooths surface-level wrinkles and folds to create a smoother facial appearance, and it can be used to restore volume and enhance contours in areas including the cheeks, lips, under the eyes and the hands. The areas it is commonly used for are:
- Wrinkle corrections
- Horizontal forehead lines
- Vertical lines between the eyebrows
- Crow’s feet lines
- Lines at the corners of the mouth
- Vertical lip lines
- Redefinition of the lip border
- Lip enhancement
- Softening of acne scars
- Filling hollows under the eyes
Two entries on that list are worth pulling out, because they are where Restylane tends to be chosen over the alternatives at our practice: lip work, where border definition and enhancement are separate goals that a matched formulation handles differently, and the hollows under the eyes, which is among the most technically demanding places on the face to place filler.
What a Restylane appointment involves
Treatment begins with a consultation where your provider assesses your skin, discusses your goals and determines the best Restylane product and treatment plan for your needs. That is where the formulation gets chosen, so it is the appointment that shapes the result more than the injection does.
On the day, the treatment areas are cleansed to ensure a sterile environment, a topical numbing cream may be applied for comfort, and the injection sites are carefully marked to achieve precise and symmetrical placement. Your nurse practitioner then administers the product using a fine needle or cannula. The treatment typically takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on how many areas are being treated, and some Restylane products contain lidocaine to minimize discomfort during the injections.
How long results last
Restylane results typically last between 6 and 18 months, depending on the product used and the treatment area, and follow-up treatments help maintain the result over time. Noticeable improvements are visible immediately after the procedure, which distinguishes fillers from treatments that build gradually.
Treat that range as a range rather than a promise. Where the product goes and how much movement that area sees both affect how long it holds. If a duration matters to your planning, ask your provider what they expect for the specific area and formulation rather than for the brand.
Restylane compared with Botox
These are frequently mentioned in the same conversation and they do different jobs. Restylane is a dermal filler used to add volume, smooth wrinkles and enhance contours, which makes it suited to areas like the cheeks, lips and under the eyes. Botox is a neuromodulator that relaxes facial muscles to reduce dynamic wrinkles such as crow’s feet and frown lines. Neither is better than the other in the abstract; it depends entirely on your specific goals.
The shorthand that usually helps: a filler addresses volume that is not there, and a neuromodulator addresses movement that is. Which of those describes what bothers you is the first thing a consultation establishes.
Restylane compared with the other fillers we offer
Elume Medspa offers four filler brands, and they are not interchangeable. Restylane is the family of matched hyaluronic acid gels described above. Juvederm is also hyaluronic acid, chosen for smooth, natural-looking volume. Belotero is a soft hyaluronic acid gel that integrates evenly, which suits superficial lines in delicate skin. Radiesse is different in kind, a calcium hydroxylapatite filler rather than a hyaluronic acid one.
Our dermal fillers page sets all four side by side, and Juvederm vs Restylane goes deeper on the two that are most often confused with each other. You do not need to arrive at a consultation having chosen a brand. Assessing the area and selecting the product is what the consultation is for.
What Restylane costs
We quote injectables at consultation rather than publishing a flat rate. Fillers are priced by the product and the amount used, and since the formulation and quantity are decided by what your area actually needs, a headline figure would tell you very little. The consultation is free, and you get an exact quote before anything is scheduled.
Book a Restylane consultation in Fairfax, VA
Restylane at Elume Medspa begins with a consultation where your provider determines the right product and plan for you. Injectables are arranged through that consultation rather than online booking, so request an appointment or call (703) 383-0431. Our injectables overview covers the wider range if you are still narrowing down.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Restylane filler treatment?
Restylane is a family of smooth hyaluronic acid dermal gels used to smooth wrinkles, restore volume and enhance facial contours. Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the body, and the gel works by attracting and retaining moisture at the injection site so the product integrates with your skin over time. Restylane is FDA approved and has been in use since 1996. Because it is a family rather than a single product, each formulation is matched to the area being treated.
What areas can Restylane treat?
Restylane can be used to smooth wrinkles, restore volume and enhance contours in areas such as the cheeks, lips, under the eyes and the hands. Common uses include forehead lines, the vertical lines between the eyebrows, crow’s feet, lines at the corners of the mouth, vertical lip lines, redefinition of the lip border, lip enhancement, softening of acne scars and filling hollows under the eyes. Which formulation suits which area is decided at your consultation.
How long does Restylane last?
Restylane results typically last between 6 and 18 months, depending on the product used and the treatment area, and follow-up treatments help maintain the result over time. That range is wide because Restylane is a family of formulations rather than a single gel, and because how long a result holds depends on where it is placed and how much movement that area sees. Noticeable improvements are visible immediately after the procedure.
Is Restylane better than Botox?
They serve different purposes, so neither is better in the abstract. Restylane is a dermal filler used to add volume, smooth wrinkles and enhance contours, making it suited to areas like the cheeks, lips and under the eyes. Botox is a neuromodulator that relaxes facial muscles to reduce dynamic wrinkles such as crow’s feet and frown lines. A filler addresses volume that is not there; a neuromodulator addresses movement that is. Which applies depends on your specific goals.
How much does Restylane cost at Elume Medspa?
We quote injectables at your consultation rather than publishing a flat rate. Fillers are priced by the product and the amount used, and since both the formulation and the quantity are determined by what your treatment area actually needs, a single published figure would not tell you much. The consultation is free and you receive an exact quote before anything is scheduled. Call the practice or request an appointment to arrange one.
