Juvederm

What is juvederm?

Juvederm is hyaluronic acid (more accurately called hyaluronan since the polysaccharide synthesized by mammalian cells is a salt and not an acid) is an important component of the body: it is found in synovial fluid in joints where it increases viscosity of the fluid. Hyaluronic acid is a major component of skin: production of hyaluronic acid decreases with age and with sun damage.

Juvederm is one of several hyaluronic acid fillers available for augmenting tissues. It is formulated with different characteristics which allows different products to be made to give the best results in different areas:

JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC injectable gel is for deep injection in the cheek area to correct age-related volume loss in adults over 21.

JUVÉDERM VOLLURE™ XC injectable gel is for injection into the facial tissue for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds (such as nasolabial folds) in adults over 21.

JUVÉDERM® XC injectable gel is for injection into the facial tissue for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds (such as nasolabial folds).

JUVÉDERM® Ultra XC is for injection into the lips and perioral area for lip augmentation in adults over the age of 21.

JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA® XC injectable gel is for injection into the lips for lip augmentation and for correction of perioral lines in adults over the age of 21.

Juvederm Volubella injected into lips and XC into jawline

Juvederm XC injected into nasolabial folds

What are the common sites where Juvederm and other hyaluronic acid fillers may be used?

The commonest sites are:

Cheeks
Nasolabial folds
Lips
Mid-forehead frown lines
Chin
Brows
Lower eyelid grooves

What are possible side-effects?

The most commonly reported side effects with JUVÉDERM® injectable gels included injection-site redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, firmness, lumps/bumps, bruising, discoloration, and itching.

One of the risks with using these products is unintentional injection into a blood vessel, and while rare, the complications can be serious and may bepermanent. These complications, which have been reported for facial injections, can include vision abnormalities, blindness, stroke, temporary scabs, or permanent scarring.

As with all skin injection procedures, there is a risk of infection.

"Well, the last time I had a picture taken I could hardly see my eyes because of the weight of heavy eyelid. Then I paid attention to how I was actually using my eyes and I really noticed when I was looking at anything especially the computer I was straining my forehead to see better. Since I have had it done I no longer have to lift the forehead and tilt my head to see. It is amazing! I love..." D. Rock 63 Yrs Old with Fat Droopy Eyes - Salt Lake City, UT

What makes the tissues change on the face?

Volume loss of the cheeks occurs because of loss of fat as well as ptosis of tissues. This can result in flattening of the cheek prominence, indentations and wrinkles. Further ptosis of the tissues results in further flattening of the cheek eminence. The overlying skin will descend (or sag!). Loss of hyaluronic acid and collagen also results in static lines on the face. These are seen around the nose and the mouth. Similarly, volume is lost in lips as well.

Will I bruise?

Remember that the face is full of vessels. We use cooling of the skin to reduce the risk of bruising. Some areas are more likely to bruise than others: for example, the lower eyelids and peri-oral tissues are very vascular and may bruise more easily than the forehead or the frown muscle injections. After the injections, use of ice can reduce bruising.

I hate needles: will it be painful?

We apply an anesthetic cream when patients want it. Our regular patients have an anesthetic cream prescribed which they apply before they leave home: this reduces the sensitivity of the skin sufficiently to make the injections almost pleasant! We also apply ice and we have a Zimmer cooling device which is very helpful in reducing bruising as well as discomfort.

How long will the effects of the injections last?

Juvederm XC injected into nasolabial folds show results after one year

Different hyaluronic acid fillers have different compositions and will have varying degrees of survival. Furthermore, areas where there is a lot of movement, like lips, the fillers get digested and absorbed by the body more quickly than more static areas like the forehead and cheeks.

Juvederm Voluma injected into cheeks show results after two years

In general, fillers in the lips and nasolabial folds will last about six months, fillers in the frown lines last longer than a year, and, using the correct materials, cheek fillers will last one to two years.

How often will I need injections?

This is very much a combined decision between the surgeon and the patient. As the fillers gradually wear off , there is no fixed time between fillers. Overall, photographs taken prior to any fillers being used are useful in helping decide when the next fillers may be helpful. Furthermore, a conservative volume augmentation is always better than an aggressive over-filled appearance.

"I had a excellent eye lift done by Dr. Patel. He knows what he is doing and is very pleasant. Dr.Patel was easy to get an appointment and he works with you. The office staff was very pleasant and made you feel calm." D. Gull Highly recommended for eye lift surgery - Salt Lake City, UT

How do I avoid the “Stupid over-filled” look?

By following our advice! Just as discretion is always the better part of valour, so is a conservative filling regime better than overly-aggressive injections. We will guide you and always choose the minimal filler to give you an improvement in volume, shape or position. Carefully and anatomically placed fillers can achieve wonders: it isn’t just
a matter of shoving it in willy-nilly.