Dermal fillers like Juvéderm are one of the most commonly performed nonsurgical cosmetic procedures worldwide. Please continue reading this comprehensive guide to find out everything you need to know about Juvéderm dermal fillers.
What is Juvederm?
Juvéderm is the brand name of an injectable hyaluronic acid dermal filler. Juvéderm fillers have a smooth, gel-like consistency. They are used to improve signs of facial aging, replace volume loss, and restore facial contours, specifically around the cheeks, lips, and mouth. Juvéderm treatments are quick and convenient outpatient procedures with no downtime and almost instant results.
How does Juvederm work?
The active ingredient in Juvéderm is hyaluronic acid. This is a naturally occurring substance that is present in large quantities in the skin. It attracts water and keeps the skin looking hydrated, smooth, and youthful. Hyaluronic acid also adds volume to the facial tissues and stimulates the production of collagen, an essential skin protein that provides structure and suppleness to skin. With age, the amount of hyaluronic acid and collagen in the skin decreases, resulting in fine lines and wrinkles in the facial skin, sagging, significant loose skin, and volume loss. Dermal fillers like Juvéderm can reverse many of the signs of aging and give you plumper, softer, smoother, and younger looking skin.
Types of Juvéderm hyaluronic acid fillers
The Juvéderm line has several products that are all used to address the signs of aging in the face. However, each product in the Juvéderm family has different concentrations of hyaluronic acid and also different types of bonding. The different Juvéderm products are formulated to target specific problems in specific parts of the face.
Juvéderm Voluma XC is used for deep injection in the cheek area to augment the cheeks and correct volume loss that occurs with age. It can also be used to improve the profile of the chin.
Juvéderm Vollure XC, Juvéderm Ultra Plus XC, and Juvederm Ultra XC injectable gels are dermal fillers that are injected into facial tissue to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and deep nasolabial folds. Juvéderm Ultra XC injectable gel is also injected into thin lips and around the lips for lip augmentation. Juvéderm Vollure XC and Juvéderm XC injectable gels are used to fill smile lines, vertical lip lines, and wrinkles around the mouth and nose.
Juvéderm Volbella is used to correct perioral lines around the mouth, fill nasolabial folds, and smooth lines such as marionette lines around the mouth. It is also injected into the lips for lip enhancement or lip augmentation (plump lips). Hollows under the eyes can be treated with Juvéderm to improve the appearance of the facial tissue in this area.
Target areas for Juvéderm
As mentioned above, the treatment site for Juvéderm dermal fillers can include the cheeks, around the nose and mouth, lips, and chin. The different Juvéderm products are tailored to add volume and plump lips, smooth facial lines, lift and contour the cheeks, perform cheek augmentation, shape the chin, correct a double chin, and perform chin augmentation.
Preparing for Juvéderm
Before you can be treated with Juvéderm, it's important to see a properly licensed practitioner in consultation. Your aesthetic medical professional will understand your cosmetic goals and expectations and tell you whether Juvéderm procedures are right for you. If you are deemed to be a good candidate for dermal fillers, your doctor will discuss the various products such as Juvéderm Ultra, Volume, Vollure, Volbella and recommend the appropriate ones based on your concerns. You may be able to have your treatment done immediately after your initial consultation. Dermal fillers are minimally invasive and don't need any special preparation.
Your doctor may advise postponing treatment with Juvéderm hyaluronic acid fillers if you have an active infection, rashes, hives, sores, pimples, or cysts present in the treatment area. Facial injections can make these skin problems worse.
Your doctor will recommend that you stop taking medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, St. John’s Wort and other blood thinners before your filler appointment as these drugs can prolong bleeding.
Who should not get Juvéderm or other facial injection procedures?
A dermal filler treatment is not appropriate for anyone who has a history of multiple severe allergies or anaphylaxis (severe allergic reactions). Also, people with an allergy to lidocaine, Gram positive bacterial proteins, or any of ingredients in Juvéderm dermal fillers or other hyaluronic acid fillers should not have this treatment. People who have a history of pigmentation disorders, bleeding disorders, autoimmune diseases, and excessive scarring (thick, hard scars) should not get a dermal filler.
What to expect during skin injection procedures?
An injectable dermal filler is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure. The entire process takes 15-30 minutes. When you arrive for your filler appointment, your provider will clean your skin and may apply a topical numbing agent to reduce discomfort. The injection site or sites will be marked with a pen and your doctor will perform the Juvéderm injections in the treatment area. Following this, they will lightly massage the treated area to distribute the product evenly and reduce swelling.
Are Juvéderm treatments painful?
Juvéderm products contain some lidocaine (local anesthetic) to reduce pain and minimize any discomfort from the injections. Most people find the dermal filler treatment to be quite tolerable and not very painful.
What to expect after Juvéderm?
Filler patients are advised to minimize strenuous exercise, avoid extensive sun exposure, and avoid drinking alcohol for the first 24 hours after they are treated with Juvéderm. This can help to reduce side effects such as temporary redness, itching, and swelling at the injection site.
How long do Juvéderm fillers last?
Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in the body. When it is injected in dermal fillers, it is slowly metabolized (broken down) over time by the body's natural processes. Therefore, the results of dermal fillers are not permanent.
The results are visible almost immediately after you are treated with Juvéderm. The effects can last for 6 months to 2 years depending on the treatment area and the Juvéderm product used. Juvéderm Voluma XC is the longest lasting hyaluronic acid filler and can last for up to two years.
How long do Juvéderm cheek fillers last?
Juvéderm Voluma XC injectable gel is used to contour cheeks and perform cheek augmentation. The results of Juvéderm Voluma XC in the cheek area can last for up to 24 months. A touch-up treatment at 12 months can help to prolong the results.
Risks and side effects of Juvéderm
Juvéderm was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2006 and has been used in millions of procedures worldwide since then. The treatments are safe for the most part. However, it is very important to choose a properly licensed practitioner to ensure you are safely treated with Juvéderm.
Commonly reported side effects of Juvéderm hyaluronic acid fillers include temporary redness, swelling, itching, dryness, temporary scabs, lumps and bumps. These side effects typically subside in 1-2 weeks.
More serious complications can occur if the Juvéderm injections are not performed by a professional licensed practitioner. You can experience skin injury and infection. Unintentional nicking of a blood vessel or nerve leading to complications such as vision abnormalities, blindness, permanent scarring, and stroke.
It is worth noting that the effects of Juvéderm hyaluronic acid fillers can be reversed by using an enzyme called hyaluronidase which breaks down hyaluronic acid.
Juvéderm vs Other Dermal Fillers
Besides Juvéderm, there are other injectable hyaluronic acid fillers such as Restylane. Each injectable hyaluronic acid filler is a slightly different product so one is not usually interchangeable with another, but there is room for some flexibility. Your physician is the best person to choose the appropriate product for you, whether it is Juvéderm Ultra Plus XC, Juvéderm Voluma XC, Juvéderm Vollure, Juvéderm Volbella or some other product line.
You should know that there are also non-hyaluronic acid fillers such as Sculptra and Radiesse as well that are used to correct different concerns than hyaluronic acid fillers.
How much is a syringe of Juvéderm?
One syringe of Juvéderm costs $500 to $600 on average.
How much does Juvéderm cost?
The average cost of hyaluronic acid filler treatment with Juvéderm is around $600. The exact cost of your injectable dermal filler will depend on the amount of product used (Juvéderm Ultra Plus XC injectable gel, Voluma XC injectable gel or some other) as well as factors such as where you live and the skill level of your provider. Keep in mind that dermal filler results are not permanent and you will need to return for repeat injections to keep your results.
Finding a licensed physician for Juvéderm
Unintentional injection of Juvéderm hyaluronic acid fillers into the wrong area or with the wrong technique can lead to serious adverse events. That's why it is important to find a trained, certified, and licensed provider to to perform the procedure. Usually Juvéderm treatments are offered at dermatology or plastic and reconstructive surgery offices.
Whether you're interested in lip enhancement, treating facial wrinkles, or improving your facial profile in the chin region, the MeTime app makes it easy to find providers who offer Juvéderm hyaluronic acid dermal filler treatments. You can chat with experts, share photos, get quotes, and do a video call. Download the MeTime app today and say goodbye to thin lips, volume loss, sagging skin, forehead lines, and deep nasolabial folds.