When you look in the mirror, do you see an increase in the number of wrinkles on your face, or in the depth of certain lines and folds? Everyone experiences the effects of aging skin eventually. But you may be surprised to learn that there are ways to keep your skin looking younger that don’t require surgery or a lot of artificial chemicals. At Advanced Aesthetics Medical Spa in Overland Park, KS we offer one of these treatments: Juvederm, a dermal filler that can add volume to your cheeks, add plumpness to your lips, and soften those facial folds and wrinkles.

What Is Juvederm?

This FDA-approved treatment is just one of a number of dermal fillers that are available on the market today, but it is one of the most respected and frequently requested. While you may be familiar with Botox, the way Juvederm works is very different. That’s because it’s a “hyaluronic acid filler.”

Botox is a neurotoxin that relaxes the muscles that cause wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid fillers, on the other hand, achieve their goals by restoring the levels of hyaluronic acid in a patient’s skin. This makes it a true “filler”, but the real secret to its success is that it isn’t actually adding some strange substance to your face. Hyaluronic acid is something you have naturally in your skin, and it can be very beneficial to add more of it.

What Is Hyaluronic Acid?

All of us have hyaluronic acid that exists in our skin. It is something we are born with, and our bodies produce more of it throughout our lives. Hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide–a type of sugar chemical that helps our skin retain moisture.

A Molecule That Keeps Our Skin Looking Young

This unique type of sugar binds to water molecules. It is so good at this process that it can retain hundreds of times its own weight in water, simply with a strong chemical bond. As a result of this, hyaluronic acid is absolutely critical in keeping our skin looking hydrated, fresh, supple, and youthful.

A Substance That Decreases With Age

Unfortunately, hyaluronic acid breaks down over time. With age, our bodies produce less and less new hyaluronic acid to replace what has been lost. As the amount of available hyaluronic acid decreases, our skin starts to retain less water, causing changes in our appearance. This contributes to conditions like thinner lips, sunken cheeks, and pronounced folds or wrinkles on our faces and skin.

How Does a Hyaluronic Acid Filler Work?

Modern science has made it possible for us to synthesize hyaluronic acid. We can isolate it in such a way that we can then inject it into patients who may need additional volume in certain areas in their skin.

Gel Filler Interacts With Skin

The hyaluronic acid is typically suspended in a special gel. This gel is designed to interact with the skin, and it will add volume when it is administered to a patient in a specific treatment area. If multiple treatment areas are needed, then there must be multiple injections also.

Localized Treatment Targets Specific Areas

This is a localized treatment, meaning that it must be injected into the same area that needs additional volume. It’s not the same as taking a pill and seeing small results everywhere. One advantage of this is that it allows us to control the amount of aesthetic change that a patient will experience, by increasing or decreasing the amounts used. Some patients want a big change, while others prefer a more subtle approach.

How Soon Will I See the Results of My Treatment?

With this particular hyaluronic acid filler, you will see results right away. Immediately after the filler is injected, it begins to bind to water and starts to add volume to the face, cheeks, or lips. For many patients, these changes will be visible the same day as treatment, or even in a matter of hours.

It is important to realize, though, that these initial results (what you will see in the first couple of days) are not the same as the final results. The filler needs some time to settle and even out. In a typical treatment, these ideal results will be visible after two weeks.

How Long Will My Results Last?

Juvederm is one of the longest-lasting hyaluronic fillers available, which plays a big role in its popularity among patients. The treatment works in multiple areas, such as the cheeks, lips, upper face, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines. The effects of one session can last anywhere from six months to two years, depending on the amount of filler used, the injection location, and the type of filler used.

Because each treatment area has its own unique aesthetic challenges, the composition of the filler needs to be modified as a result. Some of these specific formulas last longer than others. In general, most current varieties of the filler will last over a year, with some lasting longer.

What Type of Juvederm Should I Choose?

The most common varieties are XC, Ultra XC, Voluma XC, Vollure XC, and Volbella XC. The XC indicates that an anesthetic is also part of the formula, which has become the standard practice. These varieties each have their own target areas, and the treatment longevity varies accordingly.

XC

This is essentially the original version of the filler, with the local anesthetic lidocaine added for comfort. XC is mostly designed for nasolabial folds and treating lines in the lower face. This variety usually lasts about nine months to one year.

Ultra XC

As one might guess from the name, Ultra XC is used for adding a larger amount of volume than the regular version. Ultra XC has two main uses. It lends additional volume to severe nasolabial folds, and it is also used for plumping lips that need more volume.

Volbella XC

Volbella XC is specifically designed for lips and lines around the mouth. Although Ultra can be used on the lips, Volbella can be used for subtler work. Its composition allows the injector to shape and plump lips with more control while also softening lip lines. It usually lasts for a year.

Vollure XC

Vollure XC is a newer version of the filler and has been designed for longevity. Like the original XC and Ultra XC, the main purpose is to address nasolabial folds and other facials lines and wrinkles. However, this newer composition lasts 18 months, giving it an edge on the older varieties when it comes to the lifespan of the treatment.

Voluma XC

If you want to add volume to your cheeks, then Voluma XC is likely to be your best bet. This variety of filler is designed for a deep injection. Because of this deeper injection, the treatment lasts up to two years. Dermatologists can use Voluma XC to address sunken cheeks, and they can also use it to contour the cheek line or add definition to the “apple” of the cheek.

Fortunately, you don’t need to know everything about each of these fillers before your treatment. Before your treatment session, you will have the opportunity to have any further questions answered, when you meet with our staff in a personal consultation.

What Is a Treatment Session Like?

Treatments are very quick. They are usually completed in under an hour, and often in less than 30 minutes. The time taken will depend on the amount of filler and the number of treatment areas.

Patients who come to our medical spa can relax during treatment. Patients are made comfortable, and our experienced medical staff administers the filler using a very fine needle. The treatment is designed to be minimally invasive while still delivering ideal results.

How Should I Get Ready for Treatment?

Because this is a minimally invasive treatment, there is not much that patients need to do ahead of time. However, there are a few things that we ask patients to do.

It is a good idea to avoid aspirin and other blood thinners as these can potentially cause bruising when combined with treatment. Alcohol consumption should also stop in the day leading up to treatment. In addition, we may recommend against using certain skin treatments before your session. Every requirement will be covered in detail during your personal consultation.

What Should I Do After Treatment?

In order to obtain the best results, we recommend that patients avoid certain things after treatment. These include alcohol and blood-thinning medications, as was the case before treatment. We also suggest avoiding direct sunlight or extreme cold or heat. For instance, activities like sun tanning, saunas, and cryotherapy should all be saved for a later time. In addition, patients should wait to get a massage. Massages during the first two weeks can potentially interfere with the filler as it settles, leading to an uneven final result.

Can Anyone Get This Treatment?

Typically, patients who see this treatment are 35 or older, however, it is not uncommon for younger patients to get it as well. The manufacturer recommends that patients should be at least 21. It works with almost any skin type, age, or gender, but there are a few exceptions where doctors will generally not administer this filler.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should seek another treatment or wait until they are no longer pregnant or breastfeeding. There is no evidence at all that this filler will harm infants, however out of an abundance of caution, it is avoided nonetheless. Patients who are allergic to lidocaine or who have a history of excessive scarring may also want to avoid this treatment.

What Is Recovery Like?

One of the reasons this treatment is so popular is that it requires no downtime and recovery is very simple. In most cases, people can resume their everyday activities right after a session. The advantage here is obvious for anyone with a busy schedule or an on-the-go life. You can get this treatment without having to suspend your usual lifestyle in the process.

How Can I Maintain My Results?

As long as the filler remains in your skin, the hyaluronic acid will continue to bind to water and add volume to your face, cheeks, or lips. However, over time, the levels of hyaluronic acid will start to decrease, just like with the hyaluronic acid that your body naturally produces. Although we can replenish the supply, we cannot stop the aging process.

In order to maintain an ideal aesthetic, many patients elect to return for follow-up treatments. These are usually spaced out annually, depending on the type of treatment that has been used. These sessions often require less of the injection, although this will depend on how well each patient responds to treatment.

Contact Us Today

If you’re ready to restore a fresh and youthful look to your skin, then it’s time to see the amazing things that Juvederm can do for you. Contact us at Advanced Aesthetics Medical Spa in Overland Park, KS for your personal aesthetic consultation!