Juvéderm® Ultra, Juvéderm® Ultra Plus, Juvéderm® Ultra XC, and Juvéderm® Ultra Plus XC are smooth consistency dermal fillers.  Their active ingredient, hyaluronic acid, is a natural substance already present in your body that provides volume, hydration, and fullness to the skin.

Is Juvéderm FDA approved?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Juvéderm injectable gel (including Juvéderm® Ultra, Juvéderm® Ultra Plus, Juvéderm® Ultra XC, and Juvéderm® Ultra Plus XC) for the treatment of facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds, the lines between the nose and mouth.  Two formulations of Juvéderm were approved by the FDA, Juvéderm Ultra and Juvéderm Ultra Plus, allowing for greater customization and flexibility in the treatment of each patient.  

How does Juvéderm work?

The ability of cells to produce hyaluronic acid diminishes with age, resulting in the formation of wrinkles and folds as the skin loses volume.  Juvéderm gel is injected into the skin in tiny amounts to replace lost volume, lifting up and smoothing out unwanted wrinkles.

Is an allergy test required?

No pre-test is needed.  Juvéderm is a natural, biodegradable substance of non-animal origin.

Which areas of the face can be treated with Juvéderm?

Juvéderm can be used for smoothing out folds and wrinkles. The most common areas are the nasolabial folds (from the root of the nose to the angle of the mouth) and marionette lines.  Ask Dr. Chopra which treatment areas are appropriate for you.

What can I expect after the Juvéderm 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 Juvéderm injection. The discomfort is temporary and generally disappears in a few days to two weeks.

What precautions will I need to take after my treatment with Juvéderm?

During the first 48 hours after your Juvéderm treatment, do not massage or rub the treated area.  Until the initial swelling and redness have resolved, do not expose the treated area to intense heat (e.g. in a solarium or by sunbathing) or extreme cold.

Are there any side-effects associated with Juvéderm?

Injection-related reactions such as swelling, redness and tenderness might occur.  Other types of reactions are very rare, but about 1 in 2000 treated patients have experienced localized reactions thought to be of a hypersensitive nature.  These have usually consisted of swelling or redness at the injection site, sometimes affecting the surrounding tissues.

How long do the results of Juvéderm injection last?

It has been shown in clinical trials that Juvéderm is effective for up to one year, but individual results may vary.

Contraindications:  Juvéderm® injectable gel should not be used in patients who have severe allergies marked by a history of anaphylaxis or history or presence of multiple severe allergies.  Juvéderm® should not be used in patients with a history of allergies to Gram-positive bacterial proteins.  Juvéderm® Ultra XC and Juvéderm® Ultra Plus XC should not be used in patients with a history of allergies to lidocaine. 

Precautions:  The safety of Juvéderm® for use during pregnancy, in breastfeeding females, or in patients under 18 years has not been established.  The safety and effectiveness of Juvéderm® injectable gel for the treatment of areas other than facial wrinkles and folds (such as lips) have not been established in controlled clinical studies.  Patients who are using substances that can prolong bleeding, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, as with any injection, may experience increased bruising or bleeding at the injection site.  Patients should inform their physician before treatment if they are using these types of substances.  As with all skin-injection procedures, there is a risk of infection.  The safety of Juvéderm® in patients with a history of excessive scarring (eg hypertrophic scarring and keloid formations) and pigmentation disorders has not been studied.  If laser treatment, chemical peel, or any other procedure based on active dermal response is considered after treatment with Juvéderm® injectable gel, or if Juvéderm® is administered before the skin has healed completely after such a procedure, there is possible risk of inflammatory reaction at the treatment site. 

For full safety information, please visit www.juvederm.com.

If you have any questions regarding Juvéderm Injections, or wish to schedule a consultation, please call Dr. Chopra at (310) 858-1787.