Juvéderm® Injectable Dermal Fillers in Washington in Washington, District of Columbia

Answers to Your Most Frequently Asked Questions About Juvéderm® in DC

• What is Juvéderm® used for?

  Juvéderm® can be used to treat a number of different facial areas.

  • Cheeks: Juvéderm® Voluma™ XC adds volume beneath the skin’s surface, which works to add volume to the cheeks
  • Mouth and Nose: Juvéderm® XC and Juvéderm® Vollure™ XC correct issues that are caused by a loss of skin elasticity around the mouth and nose, as well as for wrinkles and lines
  • Lips: Juvéderm® Ultra XC and Juvéderm® Volbella™ XC are non-surgical treatments to add volume and reduce lines in lip area

  
  

• How does Juvéderm® work?

  The family of Juvéderm® fillers have an active ingredient called hyaluronic acid that adds volume to your facial tissue. Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the body, but as you get older, your body’s production of hyaluronic acid decreases. Unfortunately, hyaluronic acid is necessary for stimulation collagen, a form of connective tissue that plumps the skin. Therefore, as you age, you are going to notice sagging and wrinkling of the skin on your face. By injecting hyaluronic acid under the skin, volume is restored to the face and collagen production is stimulated.

• What can you expect from your treatment?

  During an initial consultation (which may immediately precede the treatment), your specialist discusses the expected outcome of treatment, your facial structure, and the best type of filler to use to achieve your goals. The provider also reviews the risks and possible side effects.

  After the initial consultation, you can then go ahead with the Juvéderm® treatment. Your health professional cleans the treatment area, uses a pen to mark the injection sites, applies a topical numbing cream, and injects the Juvéderm® filler. The area is then massaged to help ensure even distribution, as well as to reduce the chance of swelling.

  In addition to the active hyaluronic acid, the dermal injections contain lidocaine, which is a form of pain relief. This helps to minimize discomfort during the treatment. You can expect the appointment to last between 15 and 60 minutes.

• How long does recovery take?

  Recovery time is typically very short, and the effects are noticeable almost immediately (or as soon as the swelling has resolved). You should avoid exercise, sun exposure, alcohol, and makeup for at least twenty-four hours after the appointment.

  While you may not need downtime, the treated areas will be tender with some bruising and swelling for a week or two after. Intermittent application of a cold compress can help to reduce swelling, especially for lip injections.

  You may notice lumps and bumps shortly after the appointment. These are usually temporary and will resolve on their own. 

• How long does Juvéderm® last?

  How long your Juvéderm® fillers last once they have been injected will depend on the area that is being treated, the type of Juvéderm® being used, and your individual skin. Juvéderm® fillers typically last between six to 18 months, although some may last up to two years.

  For the mouth area (which includes the lips and marionette lines), there is a lot more muscle movement than in the rest of the face, which leads to the filler breaking down quicker. Other areas where there is less tissue movement, such as under the eyes, can have results that last up to two years. Your own body will also impact how long your fillers last, as they are impacted by your metabolism.

  The type of filler used is also going to have an impact on how long it lasts. Because Juvéderm® is available in different formulations for use in different areas of the face, there is a variation on the lifespan. Volbella™, for example, is more flexible and lighter and is generally used around the mouth. Voluma™, on the other hand, is more robust and contains lifting properties, and is therefore longer-lasting. Juvéderm® Voluma™ fillers are FDA-approved to last up to two years, while Juvéderm® Ultra is approved to last up to a year.

  If you’re looking for a way to extend the life of your fillers, repeat treatments may be the best option. Dermal fillers stimulate the production of new collagen, which provides strength and durability to the skin. Aging results in lowering levels of collagen, which is when lines and wrinkles become visible.

  You can also make the effects last longer by taking good care of your health and your skin. It is recommended to drink eight glasses of water a day, supplement with vitamins if you have a deficiency, always use sunscreen, and moisturize your skin daily.

• What are the different Juvéderm® options?

  Juvéderm® Voluma™ XC

  Aging can cause the cheeks to flatten and your skin to sag as you experience midface volume loss. Juvéderm® Voluma™ adds volume beneath the surface of the skin, providing natural-looking lift and contouring. The results can last up to two years.

  Juvéderm® Vollure™ XC

  This injectable filler is used for the treatment of moderate to severe facial lines and wrinkles, particularly the parentheses lines around the mouth and nose. It temporarily corrects facial wrinkles and can last up to 18 months.

  Juvéderm® XC

  This filler was approved by the FDA in 2006 and is used to correct moderate to severe wrinkles and folds, including smile lines. It gives the appearance of a smoother surface by adding temporary volume that can last up to a year.

  Juvéderm® Volbella™ XC

  The Volbella™ XC is an injectable gel used to treat the lip area offering a temporary lip augmentation. It’s also often used to treat lipstick (perioral) lines and can last up to one year.

  Juvéderm® Ultra XC

  Ultra XC adds fullness to thin lips, whether due to aging or genetics. It also approved for use in smoothing parenthesis lines such as nasolabial folds. It can last up to one year.

• Do Juvéderm® injections hurt?

  Juvéderm® fillers are injected with a very small needle, so there is some pain associated with the treatment. However, your doctor will ice the area and apply a topical number cream to reduce the sensitivity of the treatment area. Additionally, the filler contains lidocaine to reduce pain and discomfort.

• Who is a good candidate for Juvéderm® fillers?

  Juvéderm® is ideal for those experiencing fine lines and wrinkles, and it can be used by people over the age of 21. You should not use Juvéderm® if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• How do you prepare for your Juvéderm® appointment?

  Before starting with Juvéderm®, speak to a qualified medical professional about the product and how it can assist with meeting your cosmetic goals. It is important to understand how the fillers work and to manage your expectations accordingly. Juvéderm® procedures may be performed the same day as the consultation, and there is little to no preparation time needed. 

  Prior to your appointment, you should avoid medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Alcohol and smoking should be minimized or avoided, if possible, in the weeks leading up to the treatment. 

• How much does Juvéderm® cost?

  In DC, you can expect to pay between $500 and $800 per syringe of Juvéderm®. The treatment cost itself will depend on the physician’s level of experience, where they are located, and the number of syringes that are used.

  Patients will typically need one to two syringes of Juvéderm® (up to four) per area, although this will depend on the area and your goals. 

  Juvéderm® is an elective, cosmetic treatment and, as such, is not covered by health insurance.

• Is Juvéderm® safe?

  Hyaluronic acid is a compound that occurs naturally in the body and is therefore considered safe. There are very few risks, and the majority of those are related to the injection technique. If the filler is injected into a blood vessel, there can be serious health implications, including tissue death, loss of vision, permanent scarring, or strokes. It is, therefore, essential to work with an experienced practitioner such as a board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist. 

• What are Juvéderm® alternatives?

  Non-invasive alternatives to Juvéderm® for adding fullness and smoothing wrinkles include:

  Radiesse®: Made from calcium-based microspheres suspended in a biocompatible gel, Radiesse® lasts about one year. It’s used on the backs of hands, marionette lines, and facial wrinkles, but it can’t be used to augment the lip area.

  Restylane®: This is another collection of fillers with a hyaluronic acid-base. It adds volume under the skin and stimulates collagen production with results that last between six to 18 months. It’s commonly used to treat wrinkles around the nose and mouth.

  Bellafill®: These fillers combine microspheres and collagen to fill acne scars and smooth smile lines. It’s longer-lasting than other hyaluronic acid-based fillers. 

  Sculptra®: This injectable filler is used to correct facial lines and wrinkles as well as enhancing facial contours. The treatment is usually spread over four injection sessions in a three-week period, and the results last for up to two years.

  Micro-fat Grafting: This procedure uses your own body fat injected as a filler to reduce skin folds and wrinkles. The risks are low, and the results last longer than other synthetic fillers.

  Neurotoxin Injections: An alternative to fillers are neurotoxin injections, such as Botox®, Dysport®, and Jeuveau®, that relax the underlying muscles to prevent movement and skin creasing. They effectively minimize the appearance of wrinkles and prevent wrinkle formation. To get the best results, neurotoxin injections are often combined with fillers.