Juvéderm®

Juvéderm® Injectable Gel is a safe, effective gel that restores volume to the skin and smoothes away moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. Juvéderm® is the first FDA-approved dermal filler proven safe and effective for persons of color. The Juvéderm® gel is made of hyaluronic acid with a smooth consistency, allowing for easy injections and instant, natural-looking results. There is no pre-testing needed for this procedure.

Topical or injectable anesthesia may be used during this procedure to numb the treatment area and minimize any potential discomfort. The results of this procedure are available right away and can usually last for up to a year, the longest results available from any hyaluronic acid product.

Video Demonstration – Lip Augmentation with Juvéderm®

Juvéderm® Ultra and Ultra Plus Injectable Gels

JUVÉDERM® Ultra and Ultra Plus injectable gels are U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved dermal fillers that, according to their manufacturer, Allergan, Inc., are designed to “temporarily treat moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds such as nasolabial folds” in people older than 21. JUVÉDERM Ultra is used on moderate wrinkles and folds, whereas the thicker Ultra Plus is used on deeper ones.

JUVÉDERM Ultra and Ultra Plus are smooth-consistency gels that restore volume to the skin, and lessen the appearance of wrinkles and folds. They are made of hyaluronic acid (HA), a sugar that occurs naturally in the body. In terms of the skin, HA’s role is to deliver nutrients and hydration, and act as a cushioning agent. Young, healthy skin contains a lot of HA, but factors that include aging and sun exposure reduce the amount, causing skin to lose structure and volume. JUVÉDERM injectable gels are most effective at improving the appearance of nasolabial folds, the lines that run from the bottom of the nose to the corner of the mouth on both sides of the face.

Juvéderm® Ultra and Ultra Plus Injectable Gels Procedure

JUVÉDERM Ultra and Ultra Plus injections take about 15 minutes to administer in a doctor’s office. A fine needle is used for each injection, which is given under the skin in the targeted area to add volume or fill in wrinkles and folds. Because JUVÉDERM injectable gels do not contain lidocaine, a topical anesthetic may be used to minimize discomfort. Afterword, the doctor may gently massage the treated area(s).

Once treatment is completed, patients can return, with virtually no downtime, to their regular activities. For the first 24 hours after treatment, to reduce the risk of complications, patients should avoid strenuous exercise, excessive sun or heat exposure, and alcohol consumption.

Results of Juvéderm® Ultra and Ultra Plus Injectable Gels

The results of JUVÉDERM Ultra and Ultra Plus are visible immediately after injection; any swelling and bruising, to which ice can be applied, should subside during the next few days. Results can last 6 to 9 months, and, in some cases, up to year. However, according to its manufacturer, “Results from injectable dermal filler vary and correction is temporary. Supplemental ‘touch up’ treatments may be required to achieve and maintain optimal correction of . . . wrinkles and folds.”

Risks of Juvéderm® Ultra and Ultra Plus Injectable Gels

Although JUVÉDERM Ultra and Ultra Plus are considered safe, there is a risk of side effects. They are usually limited to the injection site, and include the following:

Juvéderm® injectables are the first HA fillers that are FDA-approved for use on people of color.

There are also JUVÉDERM formulas that contain lidocaine to reduce any discomfort from the injections: JUVÉDERM Ultra XC and JUVÉDERM Ultra Plus XC.

Juvéderm® Voluma™

Juvéderm® Voluma™ is a new,  FDA-approved dermal filler formulated specifically to add volume to the face around  the cheeks and chin. This is the only injectable gel created to provide a  subtle, natural enhancement to the mid-face, addressing changes in definition  that occur over time. Juvéderm® Voluma™ can help restore more youthful contours  by plumping up the area that so often loses volume as part of the aging  process. It can also return a firmer shape to the jaw line when some softening has  set in.

Juvéderm® Voluma™ is not only an effective treatment method,  but it is long lasting as well. In many patients, the results will last for a  period of up to 18 months.

The active ingredient in Juvéderm® Voluma™ is hyaluronic acid (HA),  which is a substance naturally produced within the skin. As we get older, the  levels of HA present in the skin begin to decline, resulting in a loss of  volume and sunken or sagging cheeks. Juvéderm® Voluma™ integrates into the  existing collagen and elastin in the skin tissue to offer greater support and  elasticity. This can provide a noticeable smoothing and firming to the skin and  lend the facial structure more substantial definition.

Juvéderm® Voluma™ is the latest in the Juvederm® line of dermal  fillers.  These various formulas have a  successful history of reducing the appearance of wrinkles and folds in the skin  and rejuvenating the face.

Good Candidates for Juvéderm® Voluma™ Treatment

Adults of any age who notice changes to their mid-face or at  the chin or jaw line may be considered good candidates for treatment with  Juvéderm® Voluma™. Typical early signs of aging may include a visible decrease in  volume, a sagging of the cheeks or the loss of noticeable contour around the  chin. While these are more commonly problems that people face as they age,  younger men and women may experience them as well due to weight loss, heredity  or a number of other factors.

The Juvéderm® Voluma™ Procedure

Juvéderm® Voluma™ injections typically take about 15 minutes  to administer in the doctor’s office. The gel formula contains lidocaine to  minimize discomfort, so there is no need for additional anesthesia.  The injection is designed to reach the deep  layers beneath the skin’s surface to provide the most benefit.

The results are visible immediately after the  procedure.  There is very little or no downtime  required following a treatment with Juvéderm® Voluma™.  Most patients can resume all of their typical  daily activities right away after their treatment session.