BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON IN RENO

Juvéderm describes a family of FDA-approved soft tissue fillers. This product line is made with hyaluronic acid, a sugar compound that the body naturally produces to provide buffering in the joints, moisture in the skin, and lubrication in the eyes. Because hyaluronic acid gets depleted with age, it makes sense to use this ingredient to fill in lines and wrinkles as well as areas in which volume from fatty tissue has been lost.

There are several soft tissue fillers available today. Some contain ingredients like Calcium Hydroxylapatite or Poly-L-lactic Acid. As mentioned, Juvéderm smooths the skin with hyaluronic acid. So do a number of other fillers. So why Juvéderm?

We have selected Juvéderm for our patients because this line of products is the most highly concentrated in terms of cross-linking. Cross-linking is a term that describes the tightness of hyaluronic acid particles in the filler. In its natural form, hyaluronic acid is liquid. The more cross-linking, the longer the filler can last in superficial tissue. In addition to cross-linking, another important consideration for dermal fillers is the consistency of the product.

Juvéderm’s various formulations are all cross-linked to the max while sustaining the right consistency for a given use. For example, Juvéderm Voluma, used to fill in volume in the cheek area, has a thick gel consistency. Volbella, on the other hand, is thin and more fluid to protect the natural softness of the lips.

We are familiar with the entire Juvéderm product line, and use different products for specific results.

• JUVÉDERM® XC smooths moderate to severe parentheses lines and wrinkles to support younger looking skin. Standard Juvéderm XC can last up to 12 months.
• JUVÉDERM® ULTRA XC adds more fullness to thin lips. Results may remain intact for up to 12 months.
• JUVÉDERM® VOLUMA XC adds volume to correct age-related volume loss in the cheeks to help create a more youthful appearance. Results from Voluma treatment can last up to 2 years.
• JUVÉDERM®VOLLURE XC smooths moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds for up to 18 months.
• JUVÉDERM® VOLBELLA XC adds subtle volume to lips and smooths vertical lip lines. Volbella results can last up to 18 months.

Yes. Juvéderm products can and often are combined with Botox or other Juvéderm fillers to achieve natural-looking results by addressing various regions of the face. For example, we can fill in lip lines with one filler and add volume to the cheeks with another. The face can be refreshed even more by combining these treatments with Botox to smooth lines on the forehead, between the brows, or at the outer edges of the eyes. Botox is also commonly used to lift a sagging brow line.

Side effects of filler treatments are generally mild and short-lived. Patients may experience slight swelling, redness, or bruising. Usually, these are barely noticeable and do not inhibit regular activity. Less commonly, patients might also notice lumps or bumps beneath the skin in the area of treatment. This is a temporary side effect that tends to occur in areas where the skin has become thin. As hyaluronic acid dissolves, the feeling of lumpiness will diminish.

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring chemical. Therefore, Juvéderm treatment is not inserting a foreign substance into the body; it is merely replacing an ingredient that has decreased. There is no need for allergy testing before treatment.