Restylane Refyne and Defyne for Nasolabial Folds: Choosing Between Them

Nasolabial folds — the lines running from the nose to the corners of the mouth, sometimes called laugh lines or smile lines — are among the most commonly treated concerns in facial ageing, and among the first areas practitioners assess when a patient wants a less tired appearance. Restylane Refyne and Restylane Defyne, both built on Galderma's XpresHA technology, are two of the more established options for this indication.

Regulatory Background

Both products received approval specifically for nasolabial fold correction in patients over 21, a threshold set with reference to population data showing that early signs of nasolabial folds commonly begin to appear from around age 20. That age-based indication is a useful reference point when discussing timing and expectations with younger patients considering early, preventative treatment.

What Distinguishes the Two Products

The key difference between Refyne and Defyne lies in the degree of correction each is formulated to address:

• Restylane Refyne is indicated for light to moderate facial wrinkles and folds, and is also approved for lip injection. It suits patients in the earlier stages of fold development, typically in their twenties to thirties, where the goal is subtle softening rather than significant correction.
• Restylane Defyne is formulated for deeper, more established nasolabial folds, making it the more appropriate choice for older patients or anyone with more pronounced folds requiring greater structural support.

XpresHA Technology

Both products are built on Galderma's XpresHA technology, which is designed to produce a gel that moves naturally with facial expression while still providing the structural support needed to soften a fold — addressing the common trade-off between flexibility and correction. Results from both are generally described as lasting up to twelve months, and each is supplied as a single pre-filled syringe of 1 ml with two needles.

Choosing Between Them in Practice

Fold depth, rather than age alone, should ultimately guide the choice: a younger patient with an early but noticeably deep fold may suit Defyne, just as an older patient with well-preserved tissue and only mild folding may do better with Refyne. Assessing the fold at rest and during animation, rather than relying on age as a shortcut, gives the more reliable basis for selection.

Practical Considerations

As with any HA filler, standard pre-treatment screening applies — pregnancy and lactation, active infection at the injection site, and known hypersensitivity to hyaluronic acid or the formulation's other components are commonly cited exclusions. Transient bruising, swelling or tenderness at the treatment site is a normal and generally self-limiting part of recovery for both products, and patients should be counselled on what to expect before treatment begins.

The Takeaway

Restylane Refyne and Defyne share a technology platform and an indication, but are differentiated by the depth of correction each is built to provide — Refyne for lighter folds and lip use, Defyne for deeper, more established folds. Selecting between them on fold severity, rather than by default, gives the more predictable outcome.

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