First hit: my encounter with Restylane Vital

A few weeks ago I had my first encounter with Restylane Vital, a variant of Restylane, the global number one dermal filler that has been manufactured in Sweden for the past 12 years. I’ve been a fan of Botox for the past two years but hadn’t dabbled in the world of fillers as yet, and I was understandably a little on the nervous side. The venue was the Ponsonby branch of New Zealand industry leaders The Skin Institute, and I was in the more than capable hands of my regular nurse, Sally.
The reasoning behind the use of the original Restylane is thus: while youthful skin is rich in Hyaluronic acid (a naturally occurring sugar), over time the distribution and function of the sugar in the body gradually diminishes, causing skin to age. Restylane works by replenishing the skins own stores of Hyaluronic acid, adding volume, softening the signs of ageing and enhancing your features. It treats wrinkles around the eyes, between the brows, forehead and from the nose to the mouth, and is also used to shape the cheeks and chin, restoring volume lost during the aging process. Done badly, fillers like Restylane can make you look like an absolute fright – Lisa Rinna, anyone? – but done well it can make you look like a pleasantly relaxed version of yourself, maybe not a lot younger but definitely a little flasher. I also did my reading and liked the fact that Restylane is natural, containing no toxins, animal proteins, allergens or chemicals.
The area I wanted treated was my lower neck and décolletage, and the Restylane variant known as Restylane Vital seemed to be what the doctor ordered. While creams pamper your skin on the surface, Restylane Vital will take care of your skin from within, improving its elasticity and tone and hopefully creating what all of those in the know call “a naturally fresh and youthful appearance”. It is a pure, crystal-clear gel, and when introduced into the skin -in tiny amounts with an extra-fine needle - it lightly plumps it out, and also stimulates collagen over time. It can be used in all skin areas that 'give away' your age, including your face, as well as your neck, décolletage and the backs of your hands. It’s also suitable for all skin types - whether your skin is dry or oily, it will visibly respond to the natural benefits of improved hydration. It releases hyaluronic acid gradually over a period of time too, so the benefits generally last for several months.
My first treatment was more painful than I at first imagined and I did have a fair bit of bruising – hello scarves and mineral make up! – so for my touch up treatment in two weeks’ time I’ll be popping the arnica tablets and turning down the Christmas party invites for a few days’ at least… interesting stuff!