Gilroy – Sixteen syringes loaded with Restylane, an expensive
anti-aging treatment, were stolen from a Gilroy plastic surgeon’s
office this week.
Gilroy – Sixteen syringes loaded with Restylane, an expensive anti-aging treatment, were stolen from a Gilroy plastic surgeon’s office this week.
Restylane costs doctors $240 a shot, said Kara Stancell, a representative of Medicis, the North American company that owns rights to the Swedish treatment. The gel is sold in pre-loaded syringes, then injected into the skin with a fine needle, much like the well-known botulism injection, Botox. On its Web site, the Swedish company that markets Restylane claims the substance is non-animal, biodegradable, and “based on a natural substance, called hyaluronic acid.” The substance is used to smooth wrinkles and plump lips.
The syringes were swiped from the Wren Street office of Dr. Andrew J. Matthews, sometime between 3pm Feb. 2 and 4pm Wednesday.
“This is the first we’ve ever heard” of Restylane being stolen, said Stancell. Asked if Restylane had any other, unapproved uses, she said, “We’re not aware of Restylane being used in any other end-use application other than in a medical procedure.”
A receptionist at Matthews’ office said he was unavailable Friday, and preferred not to comment on the theft.
