26 April 2011

Restylane Active Ingredients

There are two major active ingredients in restylane. They are Hyaluronic acid and NASHA Complex.

Hyaluronic acid
One of the two major ingredients of Restylane is hyaluronic acid, a natural sugar compound, a glycosaminoglycan (GAG), which is a substance that attaches to collagen and elastin to form cartilage.. Hyaluronic acid use to attach to the skin and increases water retention in the surface of the skin, maintaining volume.

Hyaluronic acid is present in every tissue of the body, and it performs many important functions. It helps deliver nutrients to and carry toxins from cells that do not have a blood supply, such as those found in cartilage. Not only does it keep joints lubricated, but hyaluronic acid also encourages water retention in other bodily tissues. The acid retains water and delivers nourishment such as vital proteins to cells It is found in large concentrations in the extracellular matrix (ECM), which is the fluid-filled space between cells. HA locks moisture into the ECM, keeping collagen and elastin moist and promoting a youthful appearance.


NASHA complex
Non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA) is the second most common ingredient found in the Restylane product, a patented formula designed to maintain firmness in the skin as well as the ability to enhance the retention of fluid or water volume in the skin cells of the face. NASHA is designed to form the base of the Restylane's patented clear-gel formula.

NASHA has a number of advantages: very few people develop allergic or other immune reactions to it. No allergy test is required prior to treatment. The effects of NASHA injections lasts for about 6-12 month, which is better than 3-6 month for bovine collagen injections. Since NASHA is based on HA synthesized by bioengineered bacteria, there is virtually no risk of contamination by animal or human pathogens. There is one other interesting advantage. As a natural polymer, HA can be broken down by a natural enzyme called hyaluronidase. If a patient develops any post-injection bumps or irregularities, they can be quickly corrected by simply injecting hyaluronidase in the same area, which causes the filler to degrade quickly. The disadvantages include possible short-lived inflammation and/or swelling at the injection site; occasional formation of bumps and, rarely, chronic allergic, inflammatory or other reactions.

Organic Compounds
The product claims, according to SierraPlasticSurgery.com, to be completely organic in nature. Restylane is said to be created with ingredients from organisms found in the natural environment, which are completely biodegradable and it offers long-lasting effects (up to six months). The product injected as a gel attracts moisture and lowers the risk of allergic reaction due to its non-animal origins.

Restylane is eventually reabsorbed by the body, as both collagen and hyaluronic acids are natural components in the body, with effects lasting an average of about six months for most. Because of potential allergic reactions, individuals must often first undergo allergy testing with the product before injections are performed.