Everything You Need to Know About Relfydess
There’s a new name in anti-wrinkle treatments.
Relfydess.
If you already get anti-wrinkle treatments, you’re probably wondering whether it’s actually different from Botox or Dysport. If you’ve never had them before, you’re probably wondering what any of those words mean.
So we’ll keep this simple. Relfydess is a newer botulinum toxin type A treatment designed to temporarily soften expression lines.
What has people talking is the potential for faster results and longer-lasting effects for some clients.
But does that mean it’s better?
Not necessarily.
Here’s what you actually need to know.
Relfydess in 30 seconds
If you don’t feel like reading the whole article, here’s the short version:
It’s an anti-wrinkle injectable
It contains relabotulinumtoxinA
It comes as a ready-to-use liquid
Some people in clinical studies noticed an effect from Day 1
The median onset was around 2 to 3 days
Clinical studies demonstrated an effect for up to 6 months
In New Zealand, it is indicated for moderate to severe frown lines and crow’s feet
It won’t necessarily be the best product for everyone
That last point matters.
The newest treatment isn’t automatically the right treatment for your face.
New Zealand's Relfydess data sheet reports onset within one day in some study participants, with a median onset of two to three days, and an effect demonstrated for six months after treatment.
What is Relfydess?
Relfydess is a prescription anti-wrinkle treatment containing relabotulinumtoxinA, a type of botulinum toxin A.
It works by temporarily reducing the activity of specific facial muscles.
Why does that help? Because some of the lines we see on our face are created by making the same expressions again and again.
Frowning.
Squinting.
Smiling.
Over time, those repeated movements can leave lines behind even when your face is relaxed.
By reducing selected muscle movement, Relfydess can soften the appearance of those lines.
In New Zealand, Relfydess is indicated for the temporary improvement of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows and crow's feet around the eyes in adults.
What makes Relfydess different?
There are really two things most clients will care about.
1. It may start working quickly
Clinical studies reported an onset of action within one day for some patients.
For frown lines, this was reported in up to 39% of participants. For crow's feet, it was up to 34%.
The median time to onset was two to three days.
Does that mean everyone wakes up the next morning with their final result?
No.
Everyone responds differently, and your results continue to develop following treatment.
But if you're someone who hates waiting for your anti-wrinkle treatment to kick in, it's understandably interesting.
2. Results may last longer
This is probably the big one.
Relfydess clinical studies demonstrated an effect for six months after treatment.
That has obvious appeal if you're used to your anti-wrinkle treatment wearing off sooner than you'd like.
But we wouldn't tell you to expect exactly six months.
Your results depend on your facial muscles, dose, metabolism and individual response.
Some people will get longer.
Some will get less.
Six months is clinical study data, not an expiry date stamped on your forehead.
Why is Relfydess a liquid?
Here's one of the biggest technical differences.
Relfydess comes ready to use.
The NZ data sheet specifies a ready-to-use solution at a set concentration, with no reconstitution required.
Traditional botulinum toxin products such as Botox and Dysport are supplied in a form that needs to be prepared before injection.
Does the average client need to care about that?
Probably not hugely.
What you'll care about much more is whether the treatment gives you the result you want.
Is Relfydess better than Botox?
This is probably what you actually Googled.
And the answer is:
Not automatically.
Relfydess has exciting clinical data.
But Botox has been used successfully for years. So has Dysport.
If you're getting a beautiful result from your current treatment and it lasts well, there might be no good reason to change.
On the other hand, if you feel like your current anti-wrinkle treatment wears off too quickly, or you're interested in trying a newer option, Relfydess could be worth discussing.
We've actually put together a separate guide comparing Relfydess vs Botox vs Dysport if you want to understand the differences between all three.
Will Relfydess make me look frozen?
It doesn't have to.
The aim of anti-wrinkle treatment isn't simply to stop your face moving.
At Ellis & Jones, we want you to still look like you.
That means looking at your facial anatomy, how your muscles move and what you actually want to change before deciding how to treat you.
Two people can receive the same product and end up with very different results depending on where it is placed and how much is used.
Which is why the person holding the syringe matters just as much as the name printed on the box.
What happens during a Relfydess appointment?
Your appointment starts with a consultation.
We'll look at your face while it's relaxed and while you're making expressions.
You'll also talk through:
What bothers you
The result you're hoping for
Treatments you've had before
How those treatments worked for you
Your medical history
Whether Relfydess is appropriate for you
If you decide to go ahead, small injections are placed into the selected muscles.
The treatment itself is generally quick.
Then your results gradually begin developing over the following days.
Is there downtime?
Anti-wrinkle treatments usually involve very little downtime.
You may have some temporary redness, swelling, tenderness or bruising around the injection points.
In Relfydess clinical studies, the more commonly reported treatment-related effects included headache, injection-site pain, bruising and eyelid drooping. Most adverse events reported in the placebo-controlled studies were mild to moderate.
Your practitioner will explain the potential risks and what to look out for before treatment.
Can anyone have Relfydess?
No.
Like other prescription medicines, Relfydess isn't suitable for everybody.
Your practitioner needs to assess your health, medications and medical history before deciding whether treatment is appropriate.
For example, the NZ data sheet says Relfydess is not recommended during pregnancy and identifies particular neuromuscular conditions, swallowing or breathing difficulties, and some medicines as important considerations.
This is why a proper consultation matters.
How often can you have Relfydess?
Relfydess shouldn't simply be repeated whenever you feel like you're seeing movement again.
The New Zealand data sheet states that retreatment should occur no more frequently than every 12 weeks.
In reality, if you're getting a longer-lasting result, you may not need treatment anywhere near that often.
Your practitioner will recommend a schedule based on how you respond.
So, is Relfydess worth trying?
For the right person, potentially.
If you're interested in:
Faster onset.Potentially longer-lasting results.Or simply another anti-wrinkle option.
Relfydess is worth knowing about.
But we don't think you should walk into your appointment having already decided which brand you need.
Come in knowing what you want to change.
Then let your injector help decide the best way to get there.
Relfydess Christchurch
Relfydess is available as an anti-wrinkle treatment at Ellis & Jones Christchurch.
Our approach is simple.
We assess your face first and the product second.
If Relfydess makes sense for you, we'll explain why. If another anti-wrinkle option is likely to suit you better, we'll tell you that too.
Because the goal isn't to have the newest treatment.
It's to have the right treatment for you.
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