I’ve had a lot of interest in Juvederm recently. I’ve had many friends get Botox/ juvederm done and I have always loved the results. I recently announced that I am pregnant again (with a baby girl this- time whoot whoot!!) so I don’t know if it’s this time of year that’s perking my interest or just the pure idea of feeling more attractive since my prego belly looks primarily like a food baby. Obviously, I cannot get Juvederm or botox YET, however I am counting down the days until I can. Until that glorious day, I live vicariously through my patients and my blog.
I have recently had the opportunity to sit in on Juvederm and Botox injections that Dr. Volck does for our patients and let me tell you- I’M A BELIEVER. The change is almost instantaneous. The patients are literally SMILING while getting the procedure. I have honestly asked them about the pain and they said the numbing portion was more than tolerable and then they feel nothing. The benefit of our office is that Dr. Volck numbs his patients- first with a topical anesthetic then with lidocaine/ septocaine injectables. (Even though Juvederm has Lidocaine in it) Long story short- happy results and a painless procedure sound GREAT to me.
what is JUVEDERM?
Juvederm is popularly used to treat mild to deep facial wrinkles and folds such as nasolabial folds. It is FDA approved and is effective for smoothening out plump lines as well as treating acne scars.
The dermal filler is also used to: reduce fine lines on the forehead & brow, fill in hollows under the eye, enhance the jaw line and cheek volume, reduce wrinkles on the hands as well as soften scars. There are so many different uses. See Juvderm's before and after photo gallery on their website- the results are incredible. There are so many options, I was amazed!
Juvederm is available in two main formulations namely Juvederm Ultra and Juvederm Ultra Plus. Juvederm Ultra is a highly linked HA (hyaluronic Acid) filler that competes with other similar and popular fillers like Restylane. Aside from these two primary options, I have compiled a complete list of options below, including what its best used for.
JUVÉDERM® ULTRA XC
Juvederm Ultra XC is best utilized for the facial tissue around the nasolabial folds which run from the nose to the mouth, commonly referred to as "laugh" lines or "smile" lines. It is also great for lip lines, the corners of the mouth, forehead wrinkles, and can even be used for lip enhancement. Juvéderm Ultra XC is FDA-approved and is infused with lidocaine in order to improve patients' comfort during the injection process.
JUVÉDERM VOLLURE™ XC
Juvéderm Vollure XC is typically used to treat moderate to severe lines in the lower facial region, specifically lines around the sides of the mouth, nasolabial folds and marionette lines. One of the newest products in the Juvéderm line, Vollure XC provides results that can last up to 18 months. As with Juvéderm Ultra, this formula contains lidocaine to numb any slight pain felt during injection.
JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC
Juvéderm Voluma is ideal for those who have experienced a visible decrease in cheek volume, sagging of the cheeks or the loss of noticeable contour around the chin. Specially formulated to reinstate volume to these areas, this is the only injectable gel designed to provide subtle, natural enhancement to the mid-face and address changes in definition that can occur over time. In many patients, results of Juvéderm Voluma can last up to 18 months.
JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA® XC
Juvéderm Volbella XC is designed to restore natural-looking volume to the lips and precisely define the contours around the mouth. It is the only dermal filler clinically proven to last up to 12 months with a single treatment. Juvéderm Volbella is specially formulated to keep swelling to a minimum. The fine needles used, which also contain lidocaine, reduce swelling and bruising significantly.
The filler is very effective in getting rid of superficial lines. Juvederm Ultra lasts for 8 to 12 months. Juvederm Ultra Plus is an enhanced version of Juvederm Ultra thanks to a special ingredient, lidocaine. The lidocaine in the filler enhances patient comfort to levels unmatched by Juvederm Ultra.
WHO IS BEHIND JUVEDERM?
Juvederm is manufactured by a leading global pharmaceutical company; Allergan. Allergan PLC has been in operation for over six decades now (since 1950). Today, the company has operations in over 100 countries globally. The company employs the best professionals in the industry and utilizes the best technologies to deliver the most innovative and meaningful treatments in the world. Allergan focuses on manufacturing high quality generic as well as over-the-counter medication and biologic products for patients globally.
In 2006, Allergan received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration to market Juvederm as a dermal filler. This makes Juvederm one of the few FDA dermal fillers in the market today. Given the fact that the filler is made by a reputable global pharmaceutical company with an excellent track record for producing effective treatments and the filler is FDA approved, its accurate to conclude at this stage that the filler is safe and effective.
HOW DOES JUVEDERM WORK?
Although Juvederm is FDA approved and marketed by one of the most reputable global pharmaceutical companies; Allergan, it is still important to look at how the filler works in an effort to ascertain its effectiveness. Juvederm works thanks to its main ingredient Hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring sugar in the body. Hyaluronic acid is the ground substance which hosts Collagen as well as Elastin fiber. HA also hosts fibrocytes (the cells that make all the above).
Hyaluronic acid works by avoiding rapid degradation in the skin. The acid is physically and chemically cross linked to prevent rapid degradation. As a result, it helps the skin regain its thickness and substance. HA has also been tested and proven to absorb water from its environment. This ability enhances the above effects. Juvederm also contains small amounts of lidocaine (a local anesthetic) which helps to make Juvederm injections comfortable.
HOW IS JUVEDERM ADMINISTERED?
Juvederm is administered like any other dermal filler i.e. injected using long thin needles. The procedure takes a few minutes (approximately 10 minutes). Before the injection/s, the doctor cleans the area to be injected using anti bacaterial swabs. Dr. Volck then offers you the option of numbing the area with a topical anesthetic and injecting either lidocaine or septocaine. The doctor then injects the Juvederm filling the area in question. Injections are usually on multiple spots for even filling. The procedure is painless according to most patients., and the recovery is quick. Most patients return to work same day and have minimal tenderness or bruising. Most patients do experience some swelling but that is a very normal part of the healing and plumping process.
RESULTS
You should expect to see immediate improvement after treatment. Full results can be seen a few weeks to one month after treatment. Most patients require one treatment only to smooth out wrinkles, folds and plump lines. The treatment usually lasts 12 months, however we have had patients who swear their treatment lasted years.
COST
The cost of Juvederm injections varies depending on many factors such as the area of treatment, number of injections needed, location (where you seek treatment) etc. As an example though, I personally want $300 worth of Juvederm, which I find to be very normal. This would give my lips the fullness that I want plus will allow Dr. Volck to fill my fairly deep forehead crease (I am super expressive with my eyebrows)
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Since Juvederm is composed mainly of Hyaluronic acid which is a naturally occurring sugar in the human body, the filler doesn’t cause any harmful side effects. You should however expect temporary mild side effects associated with injectable gels. These include; temporary redness on the injection site, slight swelling, mild pain/tenderness, firmness and slight itching. It’s important to note that Juvederm Ultra Plus is enhanced to offer a very comfortable/painless experience. As a result, the filler has very little to no mild effects. In case the above side effects become severe which is very rare, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Precautions/Important safety information
To be able to get the best experience and results out of Juvederm, it’s important to be aware of important safety information before you seek the treatment.
For instance:
1. Juvederm shouldn’t be used by patients with severe allergies to lidocaine and gram-positive bacterial proteins.
2. Juvederm should be administered by a qualified medical practitioner only i.e. a qualified dermatologist or a nurse under the guidance of a dermatologist. This precaution is important because the filler shouldn’t be injected into blood vessels which can cause serious health problems like occlusion of blood vessels, ischemia, infraction or embolization. The filler should also be injected slowly using the least amount of pressure. Only qualified medical practitioners would know this.
3. Juvederm should be used after active inflammatory processes or infections in the skin have been controlled.
4. Juvederm shouldn’t be used by pregnant or breastfeeding mothers as well as patients who are susceptible to hypertrophic scarring, pigmentation disorders and keloid formation.
SUMMARY
The above information summarizes everything you need to know about Juvederm from the definition and who makes the filler to how the filler works, how the filler is administration and the possible side effects among other important information. After going through the above information, it’s accurate to conclude that the filler is safe and effective. Online customer reviews also attest to this fact. The filler is FDA approved, made by a reputable pharmaceutical company and lastly, the filler has been tested and proven to work effectively. In a nutshell, Juvederm is undoubtedly one of the best (if not the best) dermal fillers in the market today.
So, if you are curious, like I am, Dr. Volck is THE GUY for you. Check out the before and afters, if you don’t believe me. This stuff is the bomb, and I can NOT wait to try it!