Fine lines around your mouth, hollow cheeks, or thinning lips can make you look tired or older than you feel. If you have noticed volume loss or deeper folds in the mirror lately, you are not alone, and you do not need surgery to refresh your appearance.
At Old Town Med Spa, Drs. Nael and Shazel Gharbi, known as the MD Brothers, bring more than a decade of medical experience and advanced aesthetic training to every injection. Their precise technique and commitment to natural-looking results have made them one of Chicago’s most trusted teams for hyaluronic acid fillers.
What Is Restylane?
Restylane is an FDA-approved hyaluronic acid dermal filler designed to smooth moderate-to-severe wrinkles, restore lost volume, and enhance facial features. Hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule that helps your skin hold water, so once injected, Restylane plumps the treatment area and softens the look of lines and folds.
Areas Restylane Can Treat
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Nasolabial folds (nose-to-mouth lines)
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Cheeks and chin
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Lines between the eyebrows
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Lips and the area around the mouth
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Back of the hands
Types of Restylane Fillers
The Restylane family includes several formulations, each tailored to a specific concern:
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Restylane Lyft – cheek volume and smoother hands
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Restylane Defyne & Refyne – deeper folds with natural movement
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Restylane Silk – subtle lip enhancement and fine perioral lines
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Restylane Kysse – fuller, softer lips
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Restylane Contour – cheek shaping and definition
Your provider will recommend the right product or combination during your consultation.
Ideal Candidates
Restylane may be right for you if you are a healthy adult with realistic expectations who wants to smooth wrinkles, restore volume, or enhance the lips and cheeks without surgery. A consultation confirms whether the treatment fits your goals and medical history.
What to Expect During Treatment
Your appointment begins with a brief consultation and skin cleansing, followed by a topical numbing agent for comfort. Your provider then injects the filler into carefully mapped areas using a fine needle or cannula. Most sessions take under an hour, and you can return to most daily activities right after, though mild swelling or redness is normal.
How Long Results Last
Results are visible immediately and continue to refine over the following days. Depending on the product, your skin type, and your lifestyle, results typically last 6 to 12 months. Touch-up sessions help maintain a fresh, balanced look.
Why Choose Old Town Med Spa for Restylane in Chicago, IL?
Old Town Med Spa is led by Drs. Nael and Shazel Gharbi, the MD Brothers, who have been delivering aesthetic results to thousands of patients since 2015. Both are board-certified in Internal Medicine and Aesthetic Medicine, with advanced training in fillers, laser technologies, and facial contouring through the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.
Beyond their credentials, our patients return because of the personal attention they receive. Each Restylane plan is tailored to your unique facial structure and goals, and our team often pairs filler with treatments like BOTOX® Cosmetic, laser therapy, or medical-grade skin care to create a balanced, refreshed look. With three convenient Chicago locations, expert injectors, and a focus on safety and precision, you are in confident hands.
FAQs
Before your Restylane appointment, it’s typically recommended to avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E, etc.) for several days, as they can increase bruising. Limit alcohol intake 24 hours beforehand. Arrive with clean, makeup-free skin, and be ready to discuss your health history, allergies, and goals so your provider can plan your treatment safely.
After Restylane injections, avoid strenuous exercise, excessive heat (like saunas or hot tubs), and alcohol for at least 24 hours, as these can worsen swelling or bruising. Try not to touch or massage the filled areas unless instructed to do so. It’s also best to avoid lying flat for several hours and to postpone facials or other skin treatments for about one to two weeks.
Yes, Restylane can often be combined with other cosmetic treatments to address multiple concerns at once. It is commonly paired with neuromodulators such as BOTOX® Cosmetic to smooth wrinkles and restore volume. It may also complement treatments such as laser therapy or chemical peels. Your provider will recommend a plan and timeline that safely coordinates these procedures to achieve balanced, natural-looking results.
Common Restylane side effects include temporary redness, swelling, tenderness, bruising, itching, or firmness around the injection sites. These effects are usually mild and improve on their own within several days. At Old Town Med Spa, your provider will review aftercare instructions and explain which symptoms to expect. More serious complications, such as infection or allergic reaction, are uncommon but require prompt medical attention.
Mild to moderate swelling is common after Restylane injections, especially when treating the lips. Swelling usually improves gradually over the first several days, although lip swelling may take longer to fully resolve. The amount varies depending on the targeted area, product used, and your individual response. Following the aftercare guidance provided by your injector can help support a smooth recovery.
Bruising after Restylane is typically temporary and may last several days, though some people bruise longer than others. The extent of bruising depends on factors such as the treatment area and individual sensitivity. Avoiding alcohol and certain nonessential medications or supplements that can increase bruising might be recommended before your appointment. Do not stop any prescribed medication unless your prescribing healthcare provider tells you it is safe to do so.
Restylane results are visible immediately, but the treated location may initially appear fuller because of swelling. As swelling and tenderness subside over the following days to a couple of weeks, the effects generally become more refined and natural-looking. Your final outcome can vary based on the Restylane product used, targeted area, and your individual response.
Yes. Because Restylane is made with hyaluronic acid, it can generally be broken down using an injectable enzyme called hyaluronidase. Hyaluronidase is commonly used off-label for this purpose when appropriate. It may be considered if you are unhappy with your results or if certain complications occur. Your injector will evaluate the treated area and determine whether dissolving the filler is appropriate.
Schedule Your Restylane Consultation Today
Growing older does not mean you have to look older. If wrinkles, folds, or lost volume are getting in the way of how you want to feel, Restylane at Old Town Med Spa can help you look refreshed and like yourself again.
Contact Old Town Med Spa to book a consultation at our River North, Bucktown, or Lincoln Park location, or book online to find out if Restylane is right for you.
