JUVEDERM®
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Newly approved by the FDA, JUVÉDERM® is a filler made of hyaluronic acid. Among wrinkle reducers, JUVÉDERM® is an exciting new product due to the fact that it appears to be simultaneously effective and longer-lasting than some other fillers.
What is JUVÉDERM®?
Since JUVÉDERM® is so new, most people don’t know what it is. JUVÉDERM® is a filler that relies on hyaluronic acid rather than collagen to plump up the skin. Hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally found in the human body. Since the hyaluronic acid in JUVÉDERM® is created by biosynthesis in a laboratory, patients are not required to take an allergy test before receiving treatment.
One of the main benefits of the JUVÉDERM® filler is that the results from the product are longer-lasting than those obtained from other wrinkle reducers, including collagen and fat injections. To find out more about JUVÉDERM® filler and the cost of treatment, see below.
Candidates for JUVÉDERM® Filler
Good candidates for JUVÉDERM® filler treatment are those patients who would like to improve the appearance of facial lines or augment the lips. As to the question of JUVÉDERM® vs. Restylane® and other fillers, read on for a description of similarities and differences.
General Treatment Requirements
For the most part, all that is required of a patient for JUVÉDERM® treatment is that he or she is dissatisfied with the appearance of facial wrinkles and creases, or with the fullness of their lips. However, JUVÉDERM® may not be a good option if a female patient is pregnant or nursing.
What Areas Can Be Treated with JUVÉDERM®?
JUVÉDERM® is appropriate for any area of the face, including lines and creases around the mouth, nose, and forehead. The procedure can be used for facial contouring as well as to improve the appearance of scars, such as those caused by acne. JUVÉDERM® can also be used to enhance the size and shape of the lips. All of these areas will show distinct improvement after treatment with JUVÉDERM® filler.
Is JUVÉDERM® Right for Me?
JUVÉDERM® is likely a good option for you if you are dissatisfied with the way your face is aging - namely, if you dislike the wrinkles and creases that have surfaced. JUVÉDERM® may also be right for you if you feel that your lips need augmentation.
If you have severe scarring or thinner/looser skin, JUVÉDERM® may not be as effective. But in most cases and with most patients, JUVÉDERM® is a good choice. Note that the results of JUVÉDERM® are long-lasting but impermanent, so that you are not forever wed to your decision.
Cost and Financing
The cost of JUVÉDERM® filler is dependent upon the healthcare provider who is administering the treatment. The cost can also vary according to where you live. Find out more regarding the cost and financing of JUVÉDERM®.
The JUVÉDERM® Treatment Process
JUVÉDERM® filler treatment is quite simple and is similar to other dermal fillers/ wrinkle reducers. It is injected into the area of the wrinkles and creases with minimal discomfort. Its effects are immediate and long-lasting, though some patients may wish to combine JUVÉDERM® filler with BOTOX® Cosmetic for an even more dramatic effect.
JUVÉDERM® treatment involves less discomfort for patients than other dermal fillers, and the results are more enduring, with the average patient enjoying a healthier, more youthful facial appearance for six to nine months. Furthermore, since JUVÉDERM® is composed solely of biocompatible hyaluronic acid, it poses very minimal risk of allergic reaction and other negative side-effects associated with injectable wrinkle treatments.
Preparing for JUVÉDERM® Treatment
Patients are advised to stop taking anti-inflammatory medications or aspirin one to three days prior to a JUVÉDERM® treatment. If you wear make-up, you should not wear any to your JUVÉDERM® appointment; however, you will be able to maintain your skin care and make-up routine after your treatment is complete. Though there is no pre-treatment allergy testing required for patients who undergo injections, those with a history of severe allergies may not be considered suitable JUVÉDERM® candidates.
The JUVÉDERM® Injection Process
JUVÉDERM® arrives at your doctor's office packed in a sterile, ready-to-use syringe. The smooth gel consistency of JUVÉDERM® makes it more comfortable for patients to receive injections than with other dermal fillers, because doctors can use thinner needles and less pressure during injection. However, to minimize the chance of discomfort, your doctor will numb the area of your face to be treated with a topical anesthetic cream before he or she administers JUVÉDERM® injections. JUVÉDERM® is injected into the mid to deep dermis, depending on the amount of correction required, and the typical treatment session is about thirty minutes long.
How Does JUVÉDERM® Work?
Your skin naturally produces hyaluronic acid, a sugar-based compound responsible for delivering and maintaining moisture and nutrient levels in skin cells, and which creates the appearance of volume and smoothness in young, supple skin. Unfortunately, with the progression of time, your skin's ability to manufacture its own hyaluronic acid diminishes. JUVÉDERM® is a smooth gel that is made of cross-linked hyaluronic acid particles. When injected into fine lines, wrinkles, furrows, or sunken areas of the face, JUVÉDERM® replenishes the hyaluronic acid that has been absorbed into your body over time, helping you achieve a more youthful appearance.
JUVÉDERM® comes in a number of formulas of varying strengths, so treatments can be tailored to the specific needs of each patient. JUVÉDERM® is effective in the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles as well as in plumping up the lips, filling in the cheek area, and even restoring a youthful, rounded shape to the face. While JUVÉDERM® provides very visible and long-lasting results, patients who have extensive facial wrinkling or sagging may be more appropriate candidates for facial plastic surgery, such as a facelift or a browlift.
Recovery, Results, and Retreatment
After JUVÉDERM® treatment, it is best not to unnecessarily touch or massage the treated area for a few days, though normal make-up routines may be adhered to. Patients who have JUVÉDERM® treatment are also advised to avoid unnecessary exposure to heat, cold, and sun for up to two weeks following their injections. After JUVÉDERM® treatment, it is important to wear sunscreen and to avoid using any products that contain alcohol on the face.
Some doctors recommend that patients come in for a follow-up treatment to fill in any lines or wrinkles that were missed during the first JUVÉDERM® treatment, but this is rarely necessary. Over time, the hyaluronic acid in JUVÉDERM® is naturally absorbed into the body. However, because of its cross-linked composition and viscous gel consistency, JUVÉDERM® integrates into the body at a markedly slower rate than other dermal fillers. Thus, patients enjoy longer lasting results after JUVÉDERM® treatment than with Restylane® treatment and other injectable wrinkle treatments. The average patient enjoys the results of a JUVÉDERM® treatment for six to nine months, though some patients have had results last for as long as a year.
Risks and Benefits of JUVÉDERM® Injections
The benefits of JUVÉDERM® filler injections are easy to see: immediate improvement in the appearance of wrinkles and creases, and fuller lips for those who wish to augment this aspect of their face. Risks are few, as the materials contained in JUVÉDERM® filler are naturally produced in the human body and are therefore not allergy-inducing. There is a side effect of swelling at the injection site, but this is normal and subsides rapidly after treatment. Learn more about the benefits and risks of JUVÉDERM® filler injections.
JUVÉDERM® FAQs
What is JUVÉDERM® made of?
JUVÉDERM® is made of hyaluronic acid, which is a natural complex sugar that contributes to the volume and elasticity of the skin and is found naturally in all living organisms. Hyaluronic acid is instrumental in the delivery and retention of moisture and nutrients to the skin, and levels of this compound in the skin naturally decrease with the progression of age. The hyaluronic acid in JUVÉDERM® is created during an advanced manufacturing process and is specially formulated as a smooth and malleable gel to ensure the most natural looking results possible.
Is pre-treatment testing required?
Unlike other, collagen-based dermal fillers, which could pose the risk of an allergic reaction for some patients, no pre-treatment allergy testing is required for JUVÉDERM® treatments. Hyaluronic acid already occurs naturally in human skin, and the hyaluronic acid that is used in JUVÉDERM® is created through biosynthesis and is not of animal origin, so it is highly biocompatible.
What is the difference between JUVÉDERM® and Restylane®?
JUVÉDERM® has a higher concentration of hyaluronic acid than Restylane®, so the results of a JUVÉDERM® treatment should last longer than those of a Restylane® treatment. Some doctors and patients also believe that the results of JUVÉDERM® treatment are smoother and more natural looking than those achieved with Restylane®.
Are JUVÉDERM® results immediate?
Yes. While the appearance of treated areas will continue to improve for a few days following JUVÉDERM® treatment, patients enjoy immediate reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in areas treated with JUVÉDERM®.
Is there downtime following JUVÉDERM® treatment?
There is no downtime required after JUVÉDERM® treatment. Patients who undergo JUVÉDERM® treatment can expect to be able to return to work or other normal activities immediately, with only mild redness or soreness at the site of the injections.
Are there risks associated with JUVÉDERM®?
Adverse side effects of JUVÉDERM® treatment are rare, and usually go away in less than a week without any doctor intervention. Side effects of JUVÉDERM® usually result from the injection itself and may include redness, tenderness, swelling, firmness, and bruising. Since your body already contains hyaluronic acid, and the ingredient in JUVÉDERM® is created through biosynthesis in a laboratory and is designed for biocompatibility, there is no risk of an allergic reaction after JUVÉDERM® treatment.
Is JUVÉDERM® FDA approved?
Yes. The Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of JUVÉDERM® in four different formulations: JUVÉDERM® 18, JUVÉDERM® 24, JUVÉDERM® 24 HV (High Viscosity) and JUVÉDERM® 30. The availability of JUVÉDERM® in a variety of formulas allows doctors to tailor JUVÉDERM® treatments to the specific needs of their patients and to achieve the most natural-looking results possible.
Find a Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon in Your City
What is JUVÉDERM®? It’s a brand new dermal filler with many effective uses. Among wrinkle reducers, it is a long-lasting filler and it is non allergy-inducing. The best way to discover more about JUVÉDERM® is to contact a dermatologist in your area. She or he will be able to further discuss with you the benefits of using JUVÉDERM®.
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