1. What is JuvÉderm®?
JuvÉderm® Gel is a new hyaluronic acid filler that is injected into the second layer of skin(dermis) to provide a smooth, long-lasting correction of facial wrinkles and folds.
There are two formulations of JuvÉderm®:
- JuvÉderm® ULTRA Injectable Gel is used in contouring and volumising facial wrinkles and folds. It can also be used to create definition and pouting of the lips.
- JuvÉderm® ULTRA PLUS Injectable Gel is more highly cross-linked, resulting in a more robust formulation used for volumising and correcting deeper folds and wrinkles. It can also be used to increase the volume of the lips.
2. Is JuvÉderm® approved in Australia?
JuvÉderm® ULTRA and JuvÉderm® ULTRA PLUS were approved in Australia by the TGA in June 2006.
JuvÉderm® ULTRA Injectable Gel is approved for the filling of medium and deep wrinkles of the face by injection into the mid dermis to create definition and pouting of the lips.
JuvÉderm® ULTRA PLUS Injectable Gel is approved for the filling of medium and deep wrinkles of the face by injection into the mid and/or deep dermis to increase the volume of the lips.
3. What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a natural complex sugar that gives volume to the skin. It is found in the second layer of skin called the dermis. As the skin ages, there is a gradual loss of hyaluronic acid resulting in skin sag, wrinkles and a loss of volume. The hyaluronic acid in JuvÉderm® helps to improve wrinkles and restore volume to areas affected by the aging process. JuvÉderm® adds volume to the skin by attracting water to the area where it is injected. Hyaluronic acid absorbs more than 1,000 times its weight in water to add volume to skin.
4. What does "cross-linked" mean?
Cross-linking refers to a chemical process in which individual chains of hyaluronic acid are chemically bound or "cross-linked" together, transforming liquid HA into a soft solid or "gel". The firmness of the gel depends on the degree of "cross-linking". The body absorbs cross-linked HA more slowly, which results in a longer duration of effect.
5. What do dermal fillers do?
As the body ages, skin loses elasticity and volume. Dermal fillers are placed below the skin's surface to diminish the depth of facial folds and wrinkles.
6. Where can JuvÉderm® be used?
JuvÉderm® can be used in any part of the face where there are lines caused by saggy skin or where there is a loss of volume. Facial contouring with JuvÉderm® can be used in the following areas:
- Nasolabial folds- the lines between the nose and the corner of the mouth
- Lip augmentation - both the lip border and the body of the lips
- Cheek contour augmentation
- Glabella- the frown lines between the eyebrows
- Lipstick/Smoker's lines- lines above the top lip
- Hollows under the eyes
- Crow's feet or smile lines
- Marionette lines- the lines between the corner of the mouth and the chin
- Depressed corners of the mouth
- Chin augmentation
- Acne & Chickenpox scars.
7. What does the injection process involve?
The injection process involves the application of an anaesthetic cream or a dental block to numb the area to be treated. JuvÉderm® is then injected into the dermis (the second layer of skin) in tiny amounts with a very fine needle. The result is instantaneous, producing a long-lasting, natural enhancement, which is gentle and safe to the skin. The procedure takes twenty to thirty minutes.
8. How soon will I see results?
The results can be seen immediately. JuvÉderm® provides instant and long-lasting wrinkle correction.
9. What will I look like after treatment?
Immediately after the treatment, you can expect slight redness, swelling, tenderness or an itching sensation in the treated area. This is a normal result of the injection. The swelling and discomfort in facial lines and hollows is mild and generally disappears within twenty four hours.
There is no downtime with treatment of the facial line and hollows. After a lip treatment, the lips become swollen and may look uneven. This can persist for up to a week.
If a dental block is performed you will feel numb for two to three hours after the treatment and you may require the next day off work if the lips become too swollen.
10. How is JuvÉderm® different to other dermal fillers?
JuvÉderm® Injectable Gel is produced with proprietary HYLACROSS technology to create a long lasting smooth gel.
11. How long does JuvÉderm® treatment last?
In research studies, JuvÉderm® Injectable Gel can last for at least six months. JuvÉderm® Ultra plus will last around nine months
12. Are there any adverse effects after treatment with JuvÉderm®?
During clinical trials with JuvÉderm®, no patients discontinued the study due to lack of effect or any adverse side effects.
Recorded adverse events were usually temporary injection site reactions, the majority of which lasted only three days or less. Patients sometimes experience injection site redness, pain, firmness/hardness, swelling, lumps/bumps, bruising, itching and discolouration. Lumps are rare and can be dissolved by your treating doctor if they persist.
13. What precautions should a patient take after treatment with JuvÉderm®?
If you have had a lip enhancement with JuvÉderm®, avoid smoking, kissing and makeup for the first twenty four hours after treatment. Until the initial swelling and redness has resolved, do not expose the treated area to intense heat (e.g. sauna or sunbathing) or extreme cold.
14. What is my next step?
For more information contact Dr Joseph Ajaka, Dr Farah Mehta or Dr Eddy Dona at COSMOS Cosmetic Medicine on 1300 138 797 or email at info@cosmosclinic.com.au |
