Juvederm is a “filler” made by the same company that makes Botox (Allergan). Juvederm decreases the severity of various facial lines by adding volume beneath the line or crease, essentially “filling-in” the line from underneath. Fillers can also be used for increasing the volume and definition of the lips and for augmentation of other portions of the face that have lost volume over time.
Hyaluronic acid naturally present in skin
Juvederm is a medication composed of hyaluronic acid (HA). HA is a substance that is naturally present in high quantities in human skin. HA and collagen are the two substances that provide the most volume and substance to the dermal layer of the skin.
There are a number of other HA filler products that we offer at High Desert Dermatology, including Restylane and Perlane. During your consultation with the dermatologist, we will mutually determine which product is best for your specific needs and tailor the treatment to you. In our experience, we feel that Juvederm is a softer and more “natural looking” filler than Restylane or Perlane.
Quick Procedure
At High Desert Dermatology, the 10 to 20 minute procedure requires a series of injections of the filler into the desired treatment areas. Prior to the injections, a topical anesthetic lotion (numbing cream) is applied to the skin to diminish the discomfort of the injections.
Minimal Side Effects
Potential side effects, in addition to the moderate degree of discomfort at the time of the injection, include some additional dull pain at the treated areas after the procedure for 1 to 4 days. Bruising can sometimes occur, though this is unusual, and can last from 2 to 7 days. Swelling of the treated area is very common for a few days after the treatment. The lips, in particular, are an area in which the swelling is likely to be most severe, sometimes resulting in an overly puffy appearance of the lips that can last for a few days.
Ordinarily, once the filler has “settled-in,” which takes about a week, the product can be expected to last for a minimum of 6 months, but in many instances the treatment lasts up to 9 to 12 months.
High Desert Dermatology is one of the few clinics certified by Allergan – the manufacturer of Juvederm and Botox.