Restylane is Galderma's range of hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers built on two platforms: NASHA (Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid), which creates firm gels for lift and projection, and OBT (Optimal Balance Technology), which creates flexible gels for dynamic areas. Knowing which platform a Restylane product uses explains why it behaves differently in tissue.
Key Takeaways
- NASHA gels (Restylane, Silk, Lyft) are firmer; OBT gels (Kysse, Volyme, Defyne, Refyne) are far more flexible.
- In a Galderma-authored laboratory study, NASHA G prime ranged 416–799 Pa versus 70–271 Pa for OBT gels.
- These are bench measurements, not patient outcomes; product choice is a clinical decision.
- Names differ by market: Restylane Volyme is marketed as Restylane Contour in the US.
- Wholesale buyers should verify local registration, lot documentation and cold-chain handling.
What is the difference between NASHA and OBT in Restylane?
NASHA and OBT are two different manufacturing platforms. NASHA yields strong, firm gels, while OBT yields softer, highly flexible gels whose strength is adjusted through the degree of crosslinking.
According to Ohrlund and colleagues (Galderma, Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2024;23(1):1332-1336), NASHA preserves naturally long HA chains with minimal modification and controlled particle sizing, giving high G prime. OBT, called XpresHAn in the US, tunes G prime by varying crosslinking. Galderma describes NASHA products as designed for lift, projection and structure, and OBT products as soft and flexible, moving with expressions such as smiling or laughing.
Which Restylane products use NASHA and which use OBT?
Galderma's published classification places Restylane, Restylane Silk, Restylane Lyft and Restylane Eyelight on NASHA, and Kysse, Volyme, Defyne and Refyne on OBT.
| Product | Platform | G prime / flexibility (lab study) | Listed use (HolyPath listing) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restylane | NASHA | 701 Pa | Moderate wrinkles, nasolabial folds, tear troughs |
| Restylane Lyft | NASHA | 799 Pa | Cheek augmentation, deep wrinkles, back of hand |
| Restylane Eyelight | NASHA | Not reported in the study | Infraorbital hollowing, dark circles |
| Restylane Defyne | OBT | xStrain about 761% | Deep smile lines, marionette lines, chin/jawline |
| Restylane Kysse | OBT | xStrain about 908% | Lip volume, cupid's bow |
| Restylane Volyme | OBT | xStrain about 930% | Cheek and temple fullness |
| Restylane Refyne | OBT | xStrain about 1,442% | Mild to moderate smile lines |
The study reported G prime at 0.1 Hz and flexibility as xStrain. NASHA gels showed xStrain of roughly 7–19%, while OBT gels ranged from 70 to 271 Pa in G prime. Restylane Skinboosters Vital is listed separately for skin hydration, and is not covered by this comparison.
What does G prime tell you about a filler?
G prime measures a gel's resistance to deformation, so a higher value indicates a firmer gel. It is one rheological property among several, and it does not by itself predict clinical results.
The study authors interpret high-G-prime NASHA gels as suited to lift and projection, and high-deformation-tolerance OBT gels as suited to dynamic areas. Readers should note that the authors are Galderma employees and that the work is a laboratory comparison. Cohesivity and tissue integration were not evaluated in the paper, and independent head-to-head clinical data should be consulted before drawing practice conclusions. For a wider look at HA crosslinking concepts, see our guide to cross-linked vs non-cross-linked HA skin boosters.
How do Restylane Defyne and Refyne show OBT in practice?
Defyne and Refyne are OBT fillers intended for moderate to severe wrinkles and folds. Galderma announced on 11 February 2026 that they were the first OBT-based HA injectables authorized in Japan.
That Japan release describes injection into the mid-to-deep dermis, with Refyne for delicate, highly expressive areas and Defyne offering added support for deeper folds. It cites two double-blinded, randomized, active-controlled Phase III studies (171 and 162 subjects) reporting wrinkle improvement lasting up to 12 months. These results come from the manufacturer and apply to that regulatory context. Approval status in other countries must be checked locally, and individual results vary.
What should clinics check when sourcing Restylane?
Buyers should confirm authenticity, local registration and handling before stocking any HA filler. Restylane is a prescription medical device used by licensed practitioners only.
- Instructions for use and lidocaine content for the exact product and market version.
- Lot numbers and expiry dates on both outer box and syringe.
- Supplier documents; see our checklist of documents to request from injectables suppliers.
- Registration status in your own country, which varies by product.
HolyPath lists the Restylane range from Galderma for licensed professionals, and we compare it with Korean alternatives in Korean Fillers vs Restylane.
What safety points apply to any HA filler?
All HA fillers carry risks, including nodules and, rarely, vascular occlusion, so practitioners need anatomical training and a complication protocol in place. Results vary between patients.
Our clinical guides cover HA filler vascular occlusion prevention and HA filler nodules. Treatment should be performed only by qualified practitioners according to local regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does NASHA stand for in Restylane?
NASHA stands for Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid. According to Galderma's authors, the technology preserves naturally long hyaluronic acid chains with minimal modification and controlled particle sizing, producing firm gels with high G prime. Restylane, Restylane Silk and Restylane Lyft are classed as NASHA gels in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology comparison.
What does OBT stand for in Restylane?
OBT stands for Optimal Balance Technology, called XpresHAn in the US. It produces flexible hyaluronic acid gels whose strength is tuned by varying the degree of crosslinking. Galderma lists Restylane Kysse, Volyme, Defyne and Refyne as OBT products, intended for dynamic areas that move with facial expression.
Is Restylane Lyft a NASHA or OBT product?
Restylane Lyft is a NASHA product. In the published rheology comparison it had a G prime of 799 Pa, the highest of the NASHA gels tested, and Galderma positions NASHA fillers for lift, projection and structure. Product selection for any patient remains a decision for the treating practitioner.
Do all Restylane products contain lidocaine?
HolyPath's Restylane listing states that the products in the line it supplies include 0.3% lidocaine. Formulations can differ between markets and product versions, so buyers should always confirm lidocaine content on the packaging and instructions for use of the specific lot they receive.
What should a clinic check before buying Restylane wholesale?
Request the manufacturer's instructions for use, lot numbers and expiry dates, proof of cold-chain handling where applicable, and documentation showing the product is registered for use in your country. Verify the supply route, and confirm the products match your local regulatory requirements before ordering.
Conclusion
Restylane is best understood as two families: firm NASHA gels and flexible OBT gels. If you are a clinic or distributor evaluating the range, contact HolyPath through our inquiry page for availability and documentation.
References
- Ohrlund A et al. Differentiation of NASHA and OBT Hyaluronic Acid Gels According to Strength, Flexibility, and Associated Clinical Significance. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(1):1332-1336.
- Galderma Aesthetics: The science behind Restylane
- Galderma: Restylane portfolio expands in Japan with OBT Defyne and Refyne (February 2026)
This article is for informational purposes for licensed medical professionals and distributors. It is not medical advice. Treatments should be performed only by qualified practitioners in accordance with local regulations.