Juvéderm Injection
Juvéderm: A Hyaluronic Acid Skin Injection Treatment Have you noticed that the skin on your face doesn’t quite look like it used to? Does your facial skin have wrinkles and fine lines? Has your face lost its youthful volume and fullness? If your face has been experiencing the unwanted effects of time and age, then dermal fillers like Juvéderm can help take years off of your face!
What is Juvéderm? Juvéderm is an injectable dermal filler composed of a smooth hyaluronic acid gel, capable of non-surgically restoring lost facial volume and visibly reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on the face. For wrinkles and fine lines, Juvéderm typically works best on those that appear around the mouth (“smile lines”) and around the nose.
Juvéderm is a temporary procedure, with results typically lasting between four and nine months, and for some patients, results can last up to a year.
What is Hyaluronic Acid and why is it effective? Hyaluronic acid is a molecular substance that naturally already exists in the human body. It is technically a type of carbohydrate polymer that is found within the cells of the muscles, skins, and tendons of humans and other mammals. Specifically, hyaluronic acid is a crucial, main part of the extracellular matrix of cells found in the human body, especially in the dermis, which is the dense, inner layer of skin that exists directly underneath the top layer of skin (the epidermis).
Hyaluronic acid acts kind of like a sponge- its chief purpose is to bind with water molecules, effectively “absorbing” and retaining water. This innate nature of hyaluronic acid is what gives younger people a youthful, hydrated, full look about their faces. As people get older, the amount of hyaluronic acid in skin and tissue naturally gets depleted from the face- due to the effects of time, aging, and environmental factors- catalyzing the formation of wrinkles and fine lines as well as creating a thinner, more gaunt look about the face.
What to expect during a Juvéderm procedure The cosmetic surgeon will inject Juvéderm into predetermined injection sites on the face. Although patients report that Juvéderm injections feel like mild pinpricks that are relatively painless and require no anesthesia, some patients may need to have a numbing anesthetic cream to the treatment areas in order to minimize pain during the Juvéderm treatment.
Juvéderm procedures are relatively quick, usually taking about fifteen to thirty minutes to complete. The results from Juvéderm are virtually instantaneous.
What to expect during Juvéderm recovery Recovery from Juvéderm is very minimal and quick, with most patients completely recovering from their Juvéderm procedures in about seven days or less. Juvéderm treatments are performed on an outpatient basis, meaning patients can go home right after their Juvéderm procedures.
It is recommended that patients take it easy for the first twenty-four hours, refraining from consuming alcohol, participating in strenuous exercise, or being out in the sun for an excessive amount of time.
It is typical for patients to experience slight redness or swelling on and around the injection sites which should dissipate within a few days. Some itching sensations may be experienced by some patients. Patients should place an icepack on treatment sites to reduce swelling.
Patients should consult their cosmetic surgeons as to when they can resume applying makeup and other facial products.
People who are considering Juvéderm or other dermal fillers in the McAllen area to treat their loss of facial volume and the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines should contact our office for a private consultation.
