It may be bothersome to think of your age. It may be more bothersome to have your age reflect in your appearance. For those who feel that they are emotionally affected by the look of their skin, there is a solution. Old Town Medspa offers JuvedermⓇ, an injectable dermal filler that can refresh the skin for a silkier aesthetic.
Located in Chicago, Illinois, Old Town Medspa is led by Drs. Shazel and Nael Gharbi. Both are board certified in internal medicine and completed advanced training in laser, light and radio frequency technologies. They are also certified in dermal filler trainings with the International Association of Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine. Contact us today to schedule a consultation appointment.
What Is JuvedermⓇ?
Juvederm is a non-surgical dermal filler that is approved to treat moderate to severe facial wrinkles and other kinds of lines from aging. Juvederm is comprised of a modified form of hyaluronic acid through HYLACROSS™ technology; a unique manufacturing process that provides a high concentration of cross-linked hyaluronic acid.
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance made from long chains of sugars that exist naturally in the skin. Hyaluronic acid has impact on several functions in the body, some of which are to bind water, lubricate the movable parts of the body such as muscles and joints and to maintain the elasticity of the skin. Its function is to absorb water, deliver nutrients and act as a cushioning agent. So, when you inject it into your skin, it acts like a sponge and expands to fill in wrinkles and folds and support sunken areas. The extra water brought to the skin’s surface also imparts a fresh, glowing radiance and a soft, supple skin texture. These injections induce a robust production of collagen, which helps to further firm and plump your skin and reduce wrinkles over time.
Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers gel is tissue-friendly and closely resembles the hyaluronic acid that exists naturally in the body. It is long-lasting but not permanent.
As we age, we start to lose hyaluronic acid, which causes the skin to lose structure and volume, contributing to the wrinkles and folds on our face. Upon injection, this highly effective formula can instantly smooth out lines along the sides of the mouth and nose, providing natural and authentic-looking results that can last up to a year.
Juvederm treatments are fast and relatively painless. Typically, a local or topical anesthetic is first applied to eliminate any discomfort. Once that takes effect, the dermal filler, a thin gel-like substance, is injected into the target area using a tiny, fine needle or a blunt end microcannula.
Contact us today to schedule a FREE consultation appointment and see if Juvederm is the right treatment for you.
ARE THERE IMMEDIATE SIDE EFFECTS?
There is no downtime associated with Juvederm treatments. Immediate visible side effects are minimal and may include temporary redness, tenderness, swelling, or bruising at the injection site which can easily be concealed with makeup.
In rare cases, small bumps may appear under the skin at the injection site. If they don’t dissipate within 2 weeks, check back in with your doctor.
WHAT ARE ANTICIPATED RESULTS?
Everyone can experience different results. A dose in one woman can result in a dramatic change, while it may have a very minimal impact on someone else. The effects of a Juvederm injection should be immediate, with continuous correction as new collagen regenerates. The area of injection should instantly appear smoother and fuller, with more volume and definition than before receiving the treatment.
To decrease your risk of bruising after treatment, avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E, or St. John’s Wort for 1 week prior to your appointment. Additionally, apply ice to the treated area for a day or two after getting injected.
If a rash or pimple pops up in the area that you want to treat on injection day, postpone your treatment until it heals completely. A dermal filler injection could delay healing or make your skin problems even worse.
RECOMMENDED COURSE FOR OPTIMAL RESULTS?
One injection of Juvederm should last 6 to 12 months, depending on how fast your body will naturally break it down. 1 to 2 treatments per year will help maintain results. Over time, you may actually need less frequent visits and smaller doses thanks to the long-term benefits of creating new collagen.
JUVEDERMⓇ family of fillers includes JUVEDERM ULTRA®, JUVEDERM ULTRA PLUS®, JUVEDERM VOLUMA® and JUVEDERM VOLLURE®
JUVEDERM ULTRA®
Juvederm Ultra is made with a hyaluronic acid gel.
Juvederm Ultra is a filler used to smooth out moderate lines along the sides of your nose and mouth, and plump up your lips. It has less cross-links than Juvederm Ultra Plus XC which produces a slightly thinner filler that doesn’t last quite as long.
Juvederm Ultra XC is the exact same formula, but contains lidocaine, an anesthetic, to make the injection more comfortable.
WHAT IT’S GREAT FOR:
Juvederm Ultra XC is great for scar correction, slight lip enhancement, and moderate facial wrinkles and folds.
JUVEDERM ULTRA PLUS®
Juvederm Ultra Plus is made with a hyaluronic acid gel.
Juvederm Ultra Plus has a different formula from Juvederm Ultra in that it is a thicker version of its sister dermal filler, Juvederm Ultra. It contains more cross-links, which produces a thicker, more long-lasting filler which is why it is used to correct more severe facial wrinkles, deep nasolabial folds (the lines from your nose to the corners of your mouth), and marionette lines (the lines from the corners of your mouth down toward your jawline).
Juvederm Ultra Plus XC is the exact same formula, but contains lidocaine, an anesthetic, to make the injection more comfortable.
There are various brands of fillers comparable to Juvederm Ultra Plus and they all have slightly different compounds and consistencies and are designed to be injected at various depths within your skin. It’s really up to your cosmetic doctor to choose which ones are best to address your issues, but in general, Juvederm Ultra Plus is thicker than Belotero, Restalyne, and Juvederm Ultra.
It’s meant to be injected deeper into the skin than the lighter dermal fillers for more intense correction. In many cases, a combination of two or more dermal filler brands applied to different areas will be most effective for optimal facial rejuvenation.
WHAT IT’S GREAT FOR:
Because it is thicker, Juvederm Ultra Plus XC is great for smoothing out deeper wrinkles and folds.
JUVEDERM VOLUMA®
Juvederm Voluma uses higher cross-linking and a lower molecular weight particle of hyaluronic acid to achieve a more stable, longer lasting gel. The gel is very thick, so it is not appropriate for areas where the skin is thin such as the lips or eyes.
There are three main differences between Voluma and other popular hyaluronic acid, or HA fillers such as Juvederm Ultra, Restylane and Restylane Lyft.
Texture
When comparing Juvederm Voluma vs Juvederm Ultra for example, you would notice that the texture of Ultra is similar to pudding while the texture of Voluma is closer to Jello. This thicker texture gives the new filler it’s unique lifting properties and also leads to differences in where it can be placed in the face.
Placement
Voluma is specifically designed to be injected deep in the dermis and to lay right on top of your facial bones. This ability to sit deep and stay in place is exactly what makes Voluma useful for particular injection sites and treatment outcomes. Voluma works best when it’s injected into the upper or middle cheek, jaw line or the chin.
Voluma is placed deep in order to provide a lifting and volumizing effect in the upper, mid and lower face areas, which have historically been more challenging to treat.
List of Common Juvederm Voluma Injections Sites:
· Cheeks
· Chin
· Jaw
Voluma will not be used under the eyes or in the lips. All of those injection sites require a thinner, more malleable filler to smoothly lay into the contour of your face.
List of Injection Sites Juvederm Voluma WILL NOT be Used For:
· Lips
· Under the eyes
Longevity
“How long does Juvederm Voluma last,” you ask?
According to Allergan, under optimal conditions the filler can last up to two years! Obviously ‘optimal conditions’ vary, but it’s safe to say that you’ll get a longer lasting result from a Voluma treatment than some of your other filler options.
WHAT IT’S GREAT FOR:
Juvederm Voluma as the name suggests, is great for adding volume, while providing contour and a subtle lift. As we age, cheeks start to lose volume and skin begins to sag. Juvederm Voluma instantly corrects age-related volume loss in the cheek area and is a great non-surgical, but temporary alternative to cheek implants.
Beauty Insider Tip: We often use RADIESSEⓇ for the cheeks and Dr. Gharbi explains why: “They both do a great job of treating the cheeks. However, Radiesse is significantly less expensive than Voluma. Unlike Radiesse, Voluma is nice in that it can be dissolved if the patient doesn’t like the look or results. Voluma is more resistant to dissolvers (hyaluronidase) than other hyaluronic acid fillers (i.e. Restylane, Juvederm, Belotero, etc.) which is also why it lasts longer.”
WHERE JUVEDERM DOESN’T WORK GREAT
TO TREAT DYNAMIC WRINKLES:
There are two types of wrinkles: dynamic wrinkles and static wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles are caused when we squint, smile, frown, or make any facial expressions. To treat dynamic wrinkles, you need to control the expressions that cause the wrinkles. Botox is perfect for addressing the dynamic wrinkles, such as forehead lines, crow’s feet, and frown lines, because it blocks signals from the nerves to the muscles making it difficult for the muscle to contract and form the expression that causes the wrinkles to appear and deepen.
Static wrinkles develop because our skin’s natural substance such as collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid decrease over time which causes us to lose volume. Juvederm addresses static wrinkles (adds volume), but is not appropriate to treat dynamic wrinkles.
TO TREAT UNDER EYE HOLLOWNESS:
Juvederm is hygroscopic meaning that it attracts and holds water. This property can be beneficial in some areas, but not around the eyes. Filling around the eyes to the point of correction will mean that later, when the Juvederm absorbs more water, the injected area will look unnaturally puffy. Belotero and Restylane are better fillers to use under the eyes.
Book a FREE consultation with Dr. Shazel Gharbi or Dr. Nael Gharbi to see which filler will be the best choice for you.
REGULAR TREATMENTS ARE A MUST
Keep in mind, fillers are temporary, so touch-ups and repeat injections are needed to maintain the results. The upside is that less material is usually needed for repeat injections
WHO SHOULD NOT USE JUVEDERM
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use dermal fillers. Anyone who has recently used blood thinners or has a bleeding disorder should also avoid dermal fillers. You should be cautious if you’ve had previous bad allergic reactions that have required in-hospital treatment.
