JUVÉDERM® Risks and Benefits
updated
JUVÉDERM® is poised to become the “next big thing” in dermal fillers. The benefits of JUVÉDERM® are many, and its risks are very few. Read on for more information regarding JUVÉDERM® and its FDA approval.
JUVÉDERM® Benefits
The benefits of JUVÉDERM® are readily apparent: the smoothing and plumping up of both deep facial wrinkles and creases, as well as finer lines such as those around the eyes and mouth. JUVÉDERM® can also be used to safely augment the lips. The patient will be able to see the results of JUVÉDERM® treatment immediately; he or she will be able to tell if an additional injection is needed (generally, one initial treatment is all that is necessary). The results of JUVÉDERM® are long-lasting - up to six months or more. JUVÉDERM® is gradually absorbed by the body, and the injection site - while initially sore - quickly becomes soft and pliant and takes on the quality of the surrounding skin. The cost of JUVÉDERM® is relatively inexpensive, especially when compared to facial plastic surgery procedures such as facelift, browlift, or eyelid surgery. Finally, JUVÉDERM® requires no allergy testing, as the hyaluronic acid it contains is human-based and safe.
Medical and Health Considerations
Almost everyone is a candidate for JUVÉDERM® treatment. JUVÉDERM® is non-allergenic and not derived from animal sources; it is a good choice for patients who have tried collagen injections but did not experience the results they wanted. The most common side effect from using JUVÉDERM® is slight swelling around the area of the injections. Very rarely, a patient will experience severe rather than slight inflammation, with lumpiness and redness. These symptoms disappear within a few days. In general, patients who have looser, thin skin; enlarged (keloid-type) scars; or women who are pregnant or lactating are not the best candidates for JUVÉDERM®.
JUVÉDERM® Risks
There are only minute risks associated with JUVÉDERM®. There is the risk of swelling and redness at the site of the injections; indeed, these are expected side effects and they subside quickly. There is a small risk of more severe swelling and/or “lumpiness.” These too should subside, in less than seven days. There may also be some slight, miniscule bruising.
JUVÉDERM® is made of the same material as Restylane®, and previous use of Restylane® should not be an issue for new users of JUVÉDERM®. However, it is best to consult with your dermatologist before combining or proceeding with dermal fillers.
JUVÉDERM® and FDA Approval
JUVÉDERM® was approved by the FDA on June 2nd, 2006. The FDA noted that while JUVÉDERM® is safe for use, some patients in clinical trials experienced side effects of mild redness, swelling, tenderness, lumpiness, bruising, or itching at the sites of the injections. All of these side effects were mild and temporary, lasting less than seven days. The FDA reported no serious adverse events from the use of JUVÉDERM®. JUVÉDERM® is considered to be safe and its side effects are very comparable to the other dermal fillers.
Locate a Dermatologist in Your Area
To find out more about the benefits and risks of using JUVÉDERM®, contact a dermatologist near you. A skilled dermatologist can discuss JUVÉDERM® in greater detail, making you feel confident regarding your choice of dermal fillers. JUVÉDERM® is an exciting new development in the field of wrinkle reducers. Discuss its benefits with your dermatologist today.
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