What is Juvederm?

JUVÉDERM® is an injectable gel used for the smoothing or filling of wrinkles and lines. Juvederm is the trademark name for a cosmetic filler containing hyaluronic acid.¹

Hyaluronic acid² occurs naturally in the human body. Approximately 15% of our bodies are made up of this acid. The hyaluronic acid in Juvederm is generated in the laboratory by using the Streptococcus species of bacteria, generating a hyaluronic acid that can be used with minimal side effects.³

Essentially hyaluronic acid is an excellent binder of water in the body. When injected in the skin, the molecules expand and hold water near the surface of the skin, thus causing a plumping or lifting effect on the face and neck.

Juvederm offers a less risky option than BOTOX®. Botox diminishes the appearance of wrinkles because it paralyzes the underlying muscle causing the wrinkle. Whereas Botox introduces a toxic substance into the system paralyzing muscles, fillers such as Juvederm merely plump up folds and wrinkles.

Does it work?

The FDA has approved Juvederm⁴ for the purpose of smoothing and diminishing wrinkles. You should expect your results to last approximately six months to nine months.

The FDA has approved this product to be injected in the mid-dermis around the lips and nasal labial folds; it should not be used on areas such as frown lines on the forehead.

What is the downside of using Juvederm?

With any injection, there is a risk of infection. The greater risk with Juvederm is misuse by a physician not well versed in the application of the product.

Check your physician’s credentials specifically for Juvederm. Ask about his recent training with this exact product. Seek out friends or co-workers that may have a dermatologist they have used. A personal referral is your best resource.

According to the FDA, physicians may use their own judgment when determining how an FDA approved product is used in their practice. Meaning, a drug approved for one use, may be prescribed for another by your physician. You should be aware that the FDA has only approved Juvederm for facial folds and wrinkles. There are no clinical studies provided for any other use of the product.⁵

Superficial necrosis may occur if the product is injected through error, in or near the dermal vessels, or too close to the skin surface. Time spent checking out the physician before the injection is your best insurance you will be pleased with the result.

Inform your Doctor if you have now, or have experienced of the following conditions:

• Allergy to lidocaine, (local anesthetic)
• Allergic reactions that have required a hospital stay.
• Known allergy to gram-positive bacteria⁶
• Bleeding disorders
• Anaphylactic Shock

This list is not complete. You should make every effort to let your health care professional know all medications you are taking, as well as any other interactions you have had with any procedures or drug interactions in the past.

Be sure to let your doctor know if you are taking any blood thinners such as warfarin, aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E, St. John’s Wort, and even garlic and ginger supplements, as these can affect the results you see after being injected with fillers.⁷

Juvederm has not been studied in pregnant women or women who are breast feeding, and should not be used.

This product is approved for patients 21 years and older.⁸

Learn everything you can about Juvederm before you get an injection.

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¹ http://www.juvederm.com/Content/pdf/juvederm-plus-safety.pdf
² http://www.hacompound.com/hyaluronicacid.html
³ http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf4/P040024S051c.pdf
⁴ http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/DeviceApprovalsandClearances/Recently-ApprovedDevices/ucm078154.htm
⁵ http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf5/P050047c.pdf
⁶ http://www.surgistrategies.com/articles/2005/12/gram-positive-and-gram-negative-bacteria.aspx
⁷ http://www.skincarephysicians.com/agingskinnet/fillers_expect.html
⁸ http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/CosmeticDevices/WrinkleFillers/ucm227749.htm