Restylane Lyft vs Restylane Defyne

Last Updated On: October 17, 2024

Disclaimer: The contents of this article should not be construed as medical advice but only for informational purposes. Medsupplysolutions.com staff does not review any of these articles for medical validity. Medsupplysolutions does not endorse the opinions or views expressed in this article. Please always seek professional medical advice from licensed doctor.

Restylane is a line of dermal fillers created by Galderma. It distinguishes itself from its competition by using non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid which undergoes their unique cross linking process to create exceptionally stable and long-lasting dermal fillers. And because they utilize bio fermented streptococcus bacteria to create synthetic hyaluronic acid, their products also have the benefit of being safe and having less risk for reaction.

Because they are able to finely control their formulation on the hyaluronic acid, they were able to come up with a wide range of hyaluronic acid fillers that specialize in different areas of the skin for different skin conditions and uses.

Their products vary in viscosity and composition from the lighter fillers such as the Restylane Skinboosters Vital and Vital Light which are mostly used in light wrinkles and for hydration, to the more viscous and concentrated forms such as Restylane Lyft and Restylane Defyne, which are more appropriate for deeper lines and wrinkles and are also used in volumizing sunken areas in the skin.

With multiple products that have similar labels such as “for treatment of moderate to severe wrinkles,” how do we know which is the best for an individual’s condition? For example, even Galderma’s website lists both Restylane Defyne and Lyft under the same page as “for contour, shape, and structure.” In this article, we break down what the difference is between two Restylane products: Restylane Defyne and Restylane Lyft.

Restylane Lyft

Restylane Lyft is generally considered as the most firm among the different Restylane fillers. This is because it has the highest concentration of cross-links compared to other hyaluronic acid fillers. Because of this, it is the best choice for filling deep and severe lines and wrinkles and for filling in areas that experienced volume loss, thus providing a “Lyft” to sagging skin. Due to its viscous consistency and larger hyaluronic acid molecules, it can even be used in contouring areas such as the jawline or chin as well.

The problem with the increased viscosity and firmness of Restylane Lyft is that it can seem stiff and unnatural in some areas where a lot of movement is needed such as around the lips or in the cheeks. For areas that experience a lot of movement or areas that don’t need much volume, it is generally better to use a different Restylane product.

For the procedure, Restylane Lyft is generally injected deep into the patient’s skin. Your dermatologist may also need to massage the area after injection to even out the product. The whole injection procedure should take less than 1 hour to perform. For less pain and discomfort, Restylane Lyft also comes in a variant with added lidocaine. Once the dermal filler is in place, there is generally little to no recovery period needed. There may be slight swelling at first but it should settle within a few days into the desired effects.

As for how long the filler lasts, Restylane Lyft is listed on the Galderma website as lasting up to 24 hours. However, this may vary depending on how your skin responds and processes the hyaluronic acid.  It can also be affected by external factors such as exposure to stress and sunlight.

Restylane Defyne

Restylane Defyne is one of the newer products in the Restylane line and has a listed indication to treat volume loss and moderate to severe wrinkles. This can include areas such as marionette lines, nasolabial folds and smile lines. The difference between this product and Restylane Lyft is that it is softer and more flexible compared to Restylane Lyft due to it having less crosslinks and smaller hyaluronic acid molecules. Because of this, it can be used in areas of the skin that are thinner or are prone to more movement.

So while they both provide volume and can treat severe wrinkles, Defyne is usually used around the lips and in the cheeks as these areas are more prone to movement and need a more flexible filler to have natural looking results whenever the patient smiles or talks.

However, one of the tradeoffs for having a more flexible hyaluronic acid is it is more easily metabolized by the body, resulting in a shorter effective duration. The less number of crosslinks that gives this product its flexibility compared to Restylane Lyft means this product can generally last up to a year before another appointment is needed.

The procedure for administering is generally the same as with Restylane Lyft, another variant under the same brand. This specific formulation is primarily suited for being injected deeper into the skin, though it can also be used in areas regularly more sensitive or where thinner skin is present. The medical practitioner designated to perform the procedure massages the area, following injection, to spread the product evenly, reducing downtime.

Side effects and reactions are similar as well, including initial swelling or redness in the area, but they should subside within a few days revealing the desired effects.

Although Restylane Defyne does not last as long as Restylane Lyft, there are ways to maximize the duration such as avoiding exposure to direct sunlight and having a proper diet and stress relief.

Conclusion

These are just two of the available products under the Restylane brand. Restylane prides itself in having the right product for specific outcomes so the best way to really know which product you need is to have a thorough discussion with your dermatologist. You can discuss your goals such as wanting just to smoothen your wrinkles or even reshape your face; They can assess your overall skin condition to better grasp what sort of treatment you would need or what would be best to achieve your goals; And most  importantly, they can help make sure you get safe treatment and are informed about the possible side effects and aftercare procedures needed so that you get the most out of your dermal filler injection.

Disclaimer: The contents of this article should not be construed as medical advice but only for informational purposes. Medsupplysolutions.com staff does not review any of these articles for medical validity. Medsupplysolutions does not endorse the opinions or views expressed in this article. Please always seek professional medical advice from licensed doctor.