Juvederm Injections in San Francisco

Juvederm: San Francisco Bay Area

Juvederm is the newest injectible in the field of dermal fillers. Its active ingredient, hyaluronic acid, is a natural substance already present in your body that provides volume and fullness to the skin. Juvederm is unique to other dermal fillers in that it has the highest concentration of hyaluronic acid available and is the first hyaluronic acid filler available in a smooth gel formulation. All other currently approved hyaluronic acid dermal fillers use a gel particle suspension formulation. These gel particles can be visibly seen as opposed to the smoother, more natural looking formulation used in Juvederm™.

Is Juvederm FDA approved?

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

How does Juvederm 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. Juvederm 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. Juvederm is a natural, biodegradable substance of non-animal origin.

Which areas of the face can be treated with Juvederm?

Juvederm can be used for smoothing out folds and wrinkles, lip enhancements and shaping facial contours. The most common areas are the nasolabial folds (from the root of the nose to the angle of the mouth), marionette lines, jawline, lips, and the depression beneath eyes, although other sites can also be treated.

What can I expect after the Juvederm 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 Juvederm injection. The discomfort is temporary and generally disappears in a few days. After a lip treatment, the lips may become swollen and look somewhat uneven. This can persist for a few days (up to one week). If the discomfort continues, please contact Dr. Rajagopal.

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

During the first 48 hours after your Juvederm treatment, do not massage or rub the treated area. If you have had a lip enhancement, avoid puckering your lips for the first two days after the treatment. 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 Juvederm?

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.

What is hyaluronic acid?

Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that is found throughout your body. It gives volume to the skin, lubricates the joints and gives the eyes their shape. The hylaluronic acid in Juvederm is stabilized for long duration and is not of animal or human origin.

How long do the results of Juvederm injection last?

It has been shown in clinical trials that Juvederm is effective for up to six months, and in some cases up to 12 months, but individual results may vary.

If you have any questions regarding Juvederm Injections, or wish to schedule a consultation, please call the San Francisco Plastic Surgery & Laser Center at 415-392-3333.