Juvéderm is an injectable filler derived from hyaluronic acid. It smoothes your facial wrinkles and folds by restoring your skin’s volume. It is recommended for treating marionette lines, nasolabial folds, and other wrinkles around the mouth.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid, the source compound for Juvéderm, is found naturally in your body. It lubricates your joints and tissues, and is found in the vitreous humor and spinal fluid. Like collagen, our naturally-occurring hyaluronic acid diminishes with age, causing the skin to lose volume and elasticity.
The results of Juvéderm treatment may last for up to six months, although some clinical trials have shown results that last up to a year. The effects diminish gradually as your body absorbs the natural hyaluronic acid. The advantage of this and other temporary fillers, such as Restylane, is that you can have touch ups or re-treatment at any time.
Although the first hyaluronic acid compounds were derived from cows’ eyes and rooster combs, Juvéderm is not an animal-based filler, so you will not need an allergy test prior to receiving injections.
The procedure
As with other injectable fillers, Juvéderm injections take between 15 and 30 minutes.
- Topical numbing cream may be applied to the area
- Juvéderm is injected under the skin in precise areas
- Your doctor may gently massage the treated area, but you should not massage it yourself
- You may see full results in two to three days
Recovery
It is normal for you to experience some minor swelling, pain, and redness after your treatment, although this is less with Juvéderm than with other hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane and Perlane. This often subsides within a day, but may take a week. Try to avoid strenuous activity for about 24 hours following treatment.
Comparison to Other Injections
Juvéderm is good for filling folds and wrinkles in the skin caused by lost volume and skin tone, such as the nasolabial folds. It is not good for smoothing dynamic wrinkles like glabellar lines and forehead corrugations, which are treated with Botox. Because of its smooth texture, Juvéderm is good for shallow treatments and under thin skin where the granular texture of Restylane may show. It is also good for lip augmentation, and for people with sensitive skin who may experience significant swelling following injections with Restylane. Because of its smooth texture, it may not last as long as Restylane or Perlane, especially in dynamic areas like the nasolabial folds.
Longer-term, but more expensive options for injectable fillers include Autologous Fat Transfer for those with suitable donor areas, Sculptra for people who prefer long-term results that appear gradually, and Radiesse or Artefill for people who do not mind a longer period of initial swelling and discomfort if it means longer-lasting results.
To learn more about Juvéderm and other injectable treatments, schedule a consultation with a local plastic surgeon.