Dermal fillers have become a popular means of reversing early signs of skin aging. Juvederm is one such dermal filler that can be injected into different areas of your face to make you look decades younger. Ever since it was FDA approved in 2006, Juvederm has become one of the most sought after aesthetic procedures in the USA. 

 

The active ingredient in Juvederm is hyaluronic acid – a naturally-occurring compound in the body responsible for maintaining the skin’s elasticity, volume, and hydration. Hyaluronic acid gets depleted from the body with advancing age, giving the appearance of wrinkling and sagging skin. Juvederm is a hyaluronic acid dermal filler that can be used to replace naturally occurring hyaluronic acid in the areas it has been depleted. It reduces wrinkles and age lines to give your face a more youthful look and can take decades off your appearance. 

 

 

How Does Juvederm Work?

 

Natural hyaluronic acid (HA) is easily metabolized into the tissues and does not last very long. The hyaluronic acid in Juvederm is present in a bound form and made by a cross-linking technique. This allows HA to remain at the site of injection for a longer period and help in retaining volume in the region. It has a transparent, gel-like consistency that is injected into the middle-to-deep dermis layer using a syringe. Hyaluronic acid absorbs water and plumps up the area to provide a fuller, more youthful appearance. 

 

• Juvederm has a line of products that are tailored specifically for use in different areas of the face. The type of Juvederm you choose depends on the kind of aesthetic improvements you’d like to make. The different types of Juvederm include – 
• Juvederm Voluma XC: Increases volume in the cheeks. It can last up to 2 years.  
• Juvederm XC and Juvederm Vollure XC: Fills out deep wrinkles and smile lines from around the mouth and nose – also known as the marionette lines. This one lasts up to 18 months. 
• Juvederm Volift Retouch: For an overall improvement in the skin condition. 
• Juvederm Ultra XC and Juvederm Volbella XC: Most commonly used for lip augmentation. The results last up to a year. 
• Juvederm Ultra Plus XC: A denser form of hyaluronic acid that is given in areas with deep wrinkles to provide more volume and lift. 

 

Steps in a Juvederm Procedure

 

The Juvederm procedure involves a thorough initial consultation with your doctor. This is important for several reasons. It doesn’t just help your doctor decide whether you are a suitable patient for Juvederm, but also allows you to ask any relevant questions about the procedure. Your doctor might also show you before-and-after pictures of previous patients to give you a better idea of what to expect. 

 

Once you schedule a Juvederm appointment, the doctor begins by marking the areas on your face that will be treated. Although the procedure is relatively painless, the doctor may give you some ice to rub and slightly numb the treatment areas. Plus, Juvederm injections also contain a small amount of the local anesthetic lidocaine to provide you with a pain-free experience. 

 

Your doctor will inject Juvederm in all the marked target areas. They may also lightly massage the injected areas for even distribution of the product and to reduce potential swelling. Depending on the number of target areas, the entire procedure can take anywhere from 15-60 minutes. You can go home immediately after the procedure is done. Juvederm treatment results last about 6-8 months and need to be performed repeatedly after that till you want to maintain your look.

 

Benefits of Juvederm

 

• In contrast to complex surgeries like facelifts, Juvederm injections allow you to regain your youthful appearance through a minimally invasive procedure.
• The entire procedure takes just a few minutes, so you can choose to get it done over the weekend or even during a lunch break. 
• There is no significant aftercare required. You can get back to your normal routine almost immediately. 
• There is no need for any anesthesia and the procedure is practically painless, which would appeal to people who get anxious about medical procedures. 
• The results obtained by Juvederm last only about a few months. If you’re not happy with how you look, you could get them dissolved or wait for it to get absorbed into your body.
• There are no prerequisites and restrictions about who can get the procedure. As long as you are physically healthy and simply want to improve your features, you are an ideal candidate for Juvederm. 

 

How Much Does it Cost?

 

The amount you pay for a Juvederm treatment can depend on several factors, like your locality and the number of injections required. A single vial of Juvederm can cost anywhere between $400-$1200, depending on where you live. You may be able to get all your filler treatments done with a single vial, especially if it’s your first time. 

 

Side-Effects and Risks Associated with Juvederm

 

Juvederm is one of the safest and least invasive ways to regain your youthful appearance. However, like any medical procedure, Juvederm carries a few risks and side-effects, especially if done by an inexperienced practitioner. These side-effects may include – 

 

• Swelling, bruising, tenderness, or lumps at the site of injection – This is usually temporary and goes away after a while. If the swelling and tenderness persists for more than three days or if you notice any signs of infection, get in touch with your doctor immediately. 

 

• Unintentional injection of Juvederm into a blood vessel – This could lead to more serious complications like scarring, tissue loss, vision abnormalities, or even a stroke. 

 

• Uneven symmetry in areas of injection. 

 

• Taking aspirin, ibuprofen, or other blood-thinning medications that can increase the chances of bleeding or bruising at the injection site. 

 

• Allergic reaction to any component of Juvederm, which leads to redness, swelling, or itching around the area of injection. 

 

Before choosing to get Juvederm injections, make sure that the doctor of your choice is trained and certified to perform the procedure. Visit us at Minneapolis Dental for more details on the Juvederm procedure and how you can benefit from the treatment.