What are Juvederm Ultra and Ultra Plus?
Juvederm Ultra and Ultra Plus are crossed-linked hyaluronic acid dermal fillers that are used to correct smile lines, marionette lines, and to add volume to upper lips, cheek bones, and lower eyelid hollows. The correction lasts approximately one year. Juvederm Ultra Plus is a more highly crossed-linked product, and is better for volumizing deeper folds, wrinkles, and hollows.
What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a natural occurring substance found in all mammals and helps to hydrate and add volume to the skin. It has been used for over twenty years for injection into arthritic joints as well as in eye surgeries and wound repair. Juvederm is a non-animal, non-human–derived product.
Are the injections painful?
We mix a little lidocaine, an anesthetic, into Juvederm before it is injected and a topical anesthetic can be applied to the skin surface before treatment.
What are the possible side effects of Juvederm?
Most side effects are mild to moderate, of short duration lasting less than a week, and include temporary injection site reactions, such as redness, pain, tenderness from swelling, lumps, bumps, itching, and skin discoloration. As with all skin injections, there is always a risk of a infection.
Are there any reasons why one should not receive Juvederm treatments?
Juvederm should not be used in patients who have severe allergies or a history of anaphylaxis, and in people with a history of allergies to gram-positive bacterial proteins. Patients who are using substances that can prolong bleeding such as aspirin and Motrin® can experience increased bruising or bleeding at the injection site. Injections are not appropriate during breastfeeding or in pregnancy. The safety Juvederm has not been established in patients with hypertrophic scarring or keloid formation.
What should I expect after the procedure?
Within the first 24 hours, you should avoid strenuous exercise, sun, or heat exposure, and alcoholic beverages. The exposure to any of the above may cause temporary redness, swelling, or itching. An ice pack may be used in the event of swelling.
Jeffrey H. Binstock, MD is a Fellow of:
