Restylane® Lyft – Midface Injection via Cannula

April 17, 2019

Portrait of a girl in a dark room with a very little light.

New Injection Technique Approved by FDA for Popular Dermal Filler

The United States Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of the popular dermal filler, Restylane® Lyft with a microcannula. This is great news to fans of Restylane® Lyft, who appreciate its value for cheek augmentation and the correction of age-related, mid-face loss of volume. This new technique may reduce bruising, improve skin recovery time, and reduce the risk of minor complications that have been associated with needles.

How does Restylane® placement via Cannula work?

Restylane® Lyft placed with a less invasive microcannula is highly effective at:

  • Replacing lost volume in the back of the hands
  • Augmenting cheeks to their youthful volume
  • Correcting facial loss of volume due to natural aging (midface contour deficiency)
  • Treating moderate-to-severe facial folds such as smile lines

Typically, dermal fillers are injected using very fine needles with a minimum of discomfort. Although this is generally very safe, minor bruising can occur. A microcannula is very similar to a fine needle, but with a blunt, rounded tip that accurately places Restylane® Lyft safely into areas of the face and hands. Because the tip is not sharp, there is less potential for bruising that is associated with a more traditional needle injection. Microcannulas also reduce the risk of other injection-related complications, increasing patient safety. Additionally, there is typically only one or two insertion sites used, resulting in a more comfortable patient experience.

Larger cannulas have long been used for fat transfer procedures in the US and are well suited for subcutaneous injections. Smaller microcannulas have been in use for years in Europe and became available in the United States in 2011. In 2012, a consensus panel of dermatologists and plastic surgeons published recommendations for the use of microcannulas for dermal fillers treatments. Subsequently, the Global Aesthetics Consensus panel recommended microcannulas for filler treatment in certain facial areas to reduce bruising and reduce potential complications in 2016.

Restylane® Lyft joins Restylane® Silk as the only two filler products on the market that are FDA-approved for use via cannula. Read more about Restylane and how dermal fillers work here.

Our Approach to Restylane® Treatments

As your aesthetic provider, Jennifer Fick FNP-C, CANS will perform a thorough analysis of the natural balance and proportions of your face to develop a plan that addresses specific concerns, while preserving your own unique facial characteristics. This initial consultation will be the basis of your personalized plan of care that reflects the final outcome you desire, and your time frame and budget.

Dermal filler treatment is very personal depending on your comfort level. Some patients want a more dramatic change in appearance, while others may prefer a more subtle look. And unlike other injectable treatments, hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers are also reversible, which adds to their appeal for first-time patients.

Read more about Restylane treatments here.