JUVEDERM
JUVEDERM SANTA BARBARA – DERMAL FILLERS SANTA BARBARA
Juvederm is dermal filler and is still a newer product in the market and because of this it is very exciting! As an injectable filler, it can minimize wrinkles and folds on the skin. There are generally two different types of problems with aging skin—folds and wrinkles. They happen because of facial expressions like frowning or smiling. They occur naturally too as people age. Skin loses its collagen and this affects elasticity. Dermal fillers can lessen the appearance of wrinkles by filling in the folds.
Voluma XC is a product used specifically for the cheeks as a filler. As aging continues, facial fat can diminish to the point of hollowing out the face. This is where a product like this one can be invaluable. It also has a numbing agent in it called lidocaine. This makes it virtually painless. It is highly effective because not only can it fill, but it has some unique “lifting” properties to it also. It can last for up to two years.
Volbella XC is a high-density filler that can increase the volume of the lips. It is formulated directly for the lips because of its makeup. Its molecules link to bulk up lips. It is injected along with lidocaine, which is an effective local anesthetic. It can provide a soft and natural look for patients and can last up to one year. It also minimizes lines in the lips. Usually it only takes 15 minutes to an hour to achieve the look patients want.
Ultra XC is a filler also used for the lips. As you age, your lips can change also. You may lose fullness but you also can develop lines that run throughout the lips. If they are very pronounced, they can be unsightly. This is where Ultra XC is ideal. It is an injectable gel that fills the lips and helps to eliminate the lines.
Fill in under-eye hollows. As people age, they lose volume in the skin. This can happen under the eyes and create hollows. As the hollows occur, they also produce lines from skin sagging. This creates an added under-eye shadow effect that makes it even more pronounced. Dermal fillers are the perfect solution to this area. It is soft and malleable so it can easily be injected to this area and fill out that hollow. As volume is restored, sagging skin is plumped, and it diminishes the lines, along with the shadows. If you have ever wanted an eye lift without the actual surgery, then this is the perfect solution to consider. In about 15 minutes to an hour you can be completely finished with a great new look.
A non-surgical nose job. Millions of people aren’t happy with their nose. It could be the actual nose, or it could be the lines running from the nostrils down to the mouth. With age and ask skin loses its elasticity and volume, this area can create a deep set line on each sides of the mouth. An experienced doctor can inject dermal fillers into these areas and increase that volume. That in turn, minimizes the lines. When it comes to a nose job, injecting dermal fillers can be done in the tip or in the bridge. This can dramatically change the face and give the non-surgical nose job that people want. It also can help with small bumps on the bridge, which is a common issue that people have with their appearance.
Chin, Jawline and Cheeks. Juvederm is also applicable to the chin, jawline and cheeks. With the loss of elasticity, all of these areas can suffer. This opens the door to sagging. As the skin ages it loses the volume and this can affect various areas of the face. Some people opt for implants in the chin and jawline but others don’t want that. They would prefer a more non-invasive solution, which is where this injectable comes in perfectly. It offers no downtime and quick treatment that visibly enhances the chin, jawline and cheek by diminishing sagging.
What is so effective about dermal fillers are their makeup. It is a hyaluronic acid that is found naturally in your body. Because of this it is harmless and also was approved by the FDA for use. Hyaluronic acid, or HA, is able to fill in the skin and reduce unwanted lines, wrinkles, and hollows. If you look at before and after pictures you can easily see how the product is able to make startling improvements in appearance. Thousands of people have benefited from dermal fillers and it never fails to impress with results.
AM I A CANDIDATE FOR DERMAL FILLER INJECTIONS?
Cosmetic fillers can help anyone wanting to improve their look. If you have deep lines, wrinkles or need augmentation of your lips then you are a good candidate. The nice thing about the product is that it comes with no concerns for allergic reactions since it biosynthesizes with the body easily. The only other concern with the product is its injections required for treatment. These can cause some general bruising, redness and sensitivity for a few days, but most patients have no real issues with this and love the results they bring.
GENERAL TREATMENT REQUIREMENTS
The ease of use of dermal fillers comes with very few general treatment requirements. In fact, the only real requirement is for a patient to be dissatisfied with their current look due to wrinkling and lines. If that is the case, then this is the perfect treatment. The only real requirements are that the patient is not breastfeeding or pregnant.
WHICH AREAS CAN BE TREATED WITH FILER INJECTIONS?
Part of the exciting element of dermal fillers is that they are so easily used in different areas of the body. It is effective with the horizontal lines of a forehead, it can increase the fullness of the lips, it can minimize lines from the nose to the mouth (nasolabial folds), and it can work with the lines around the eyes. Its universality is a feature that most doctors love and most patients benefit hugely from. Different forms of Juvederm are used for different parts of the face. Voluma is used particularly on the cheek area- to restore fullness. Volbella on the other hand is made to use on the lips. It is particularly formulated to eliminate small lines that can form on the lips and restore plumpness. Ultra is also a great lip filler.
ARE DERMAL FILLERS RIGHT FOR ME?
If you’re wondering whether facial fillers is right for you, then you may want to discuss it with a qualified doctor. Tell them what you are seeking; what are your desired results. He or she will have a consultation with you to let you know what is possible. Most likely they will even tell you about things you can get done that you didn’t think of. Your doctor has the experience to tell you exactly what you need to do to improve your entire look. They also will let you know what isn’t possible. Sometimes people are unrealistic with their desires. Your face won’t change, per se. Your doctor will be able to contour it in such a way that still follows your natural structure.
To decide if dermal fillers are right for you, you must understand what realistically needs to be done. Some newer surgeons have technology that allows you to see change. They upload your facial image as it is now and through computer imaging are able to “virtually inject” filler and show you what results you can expect. This is a great tool to have and if your doctor has it, definitely take advantage of it. Your doctor can lead you through the many possibilities you have and then you can decide which ones you want to take advantage of. Your virtual image may not be exactly what your results will be, but they will be very amazingly close!
WHAT’S THE COST OF THIS FILLER?
You will find that dermal fillers are a highly cost-efficient option for enhancing your look. The cost for implants or other more invasive solutions is always higher. Your cost will depend on the procedure(s) you want done. Some people have just one area for treatment and cost is kept low. On the other hand, some people desire multiple areas (and multiple syringes) to treat areas on their face. Obviously their cost will be higher. Discuss payment options thoroughly with your physician and he or she can help you to understand what procedures fit in with your desires and your budget.
In addition, your doctor’s business office likely has some type of payment plan option. Be sure to speak with them as they can help you finance your procedures.
THE TREATMENT PROCESS
When you go in for treatment, you first will meet with your doctor to discuss your concerns. He or she will listen and prepare a treatment plan that incorporates your desired results. If they use virtual imaging in their office, they can show you on the computer what your completely look will be. Your doctor also will give you instructions on how to prepare for the treatment. This may include things like stopping smoking or giving up alcohol for a period of time prior.
Once your treatment plan is set, you will visit the office and the doctor will inject dermal fillers into the areas on your face. Your actual appointment can take anywhere from 15-minutes to up to an hour, depending on how many syringes you require, how many areas you want changed, etc. In general though, the procedure is very quick. The best part about it too is that you can see the results immediately. Your doctor likely will give you a mirror in the office to see how your new face has shaped up!
Post-treatment, you are going to likely experience some general redness and slight pain. This should be minimal. If you experience anything that seems out of the ordinary, speak with your doctor’s office about it. You can handle the post-treatment symptoms easily with ice on/off of your face. Do not massage it though, unless instructed to do so and trained to do so by the office. Again- if you have any questions, reach out to your doctor and his supporting staff immediately.
PREPARING FOR TREATMENT
Preparing for treatment is up to the individual doctor managing your case. You may be asked to give up cigarettes and alcohol for a set period of time prior to treatment. Most preparation is minimal, however.
RECOVERY, RESULTS AND MAINTENANCE
One of the best things about dermal fillers are the lack of recovery time. The only real lasting discomfort is the injection-site. Even this though lasts only a few hours to a few days, at the most. It also can easily be treated with ice on/off if discomfort is moderate.
The results are immediate so you’ll love looking at your face post-treatment. This is one of the most exciting times for a patient because they truly see how powerful dermal fillers are and invaluable to the world of skin care and appearance.
How long does Juvederm last? In general, an injection will last for up to 1 year. This is highly dependent on the patient’s physiology. You will begin to see when your facial structure starts changing and you can schedule a follow-up appointment with your doctor.
FAQS
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions:
What are dermal fillers made of?
This facial filler is a highly-concentrated hyaluronic acid, HA. HAs are naturally in the body already so it easily integrates with the body’s makeup to achieve the desired results. HAs are natural complex sugars that help the skin to maintain its elasticity and its volume. Younger people have it naturally and it properly “plumps” their skin so that there are no wrinkles or lines. As people age, the level of HAs diminishes. Here is where the progressing age starts to show. As the skin loses its elasticity and can lose volume. This causes sagging, wrinkles and even hollows. Dermal fillers are the perfect natural substance to fill these areas or build up their volume.
Is pre-treatment testing required?
Since this cosmetic filler is a hyaluronic acid and hyaluronic acid is already produced naturally in the body, there is no requirement for pre-treatment testing. This is why it is such a liked product too—there are no risks in terms of allergies. Some other fillers have allergy concerns and require the extra step of pre-testing. Other collagen-based fillers for the skin can have allergic reactions because of their synthetic makeup. This filler does not have that issue!
What is the difference between Juvederm and Restylane?
You may hear about both of these fillers as wrinkle solutions. They are both popular in the market today because of how effective they both are. There are differences though. Although both are HAs, hyaluronic acids, this facial filler has a higher general concentration. That means that its results will last longer and some doctors believe that it is able to give a smoother and more natural look to facial areas.
Are dermal filler results immediate?
The best thing about this filler is that the results are immediate—you should see the improvement when you’re still in your doctor’s chair. The appearance may change a bit though because of swelling. It normally takes 2-3 (at the most) days for all swelling to subside. Here is where you will see the actual result.
Is there downtime following treatment?
You also should know that dermal fillers are one of those fillers that can get you back into life right away. In fact, most people immediately return to work after treatment. The only thing you will see is slight swelling, redness and bruising, but most of this is caused by the injection and not filler itself.
Are there risks associated with injection?
Are there side effects? There very rarely are any risks with this filler injection, which is what makes it such a popular tool for minimizing wrinkles and creating the look you want. Side effects to contend with are swelling, bruising, redness and tenderness, but again, these are usually injection-related. Your body has HA naturally so injecting it does not require any type of allergy testing prior and there is no risk of a reaction later.
Is it FDA-approved?
This filler is FDA-approved in four different iterations: 18, 24HV (higher viscosity), 24, and 30. Your doctor will decide which product is right for you based on your desired results and the amount of product needed.
Click below to learn more about how this and other Dermal Fillers are used in non-surgical procedures.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION
Whether you are thinking about having an aesthetic treatment, a non-surgical procedure or have had prior surgery and are seeking to additional touch-ups, it is critical to work with a skilled plastic surgeon that specializes in facial procedures. Dr. Robert Sheffield is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon at SB Aesthetics offering services to those in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, Oxnard and Ventura, CA, and the surrounding communities. Dr. Sheffield offers patients a customized treatment plan and is available to answer your questions. To schedule a consultation, call 805.318.3280 today.
