Juvederm FAQs: How Long Does It Take Before You See Ideal Results?

As we get older, the collagen that has supported our youthful skin and its structure begins to deteriorate. Our bodies produce less of this vital protein, and as levels decline, we see wrinkles, sagging skin, and hollow areas in our face. Until now, the only way to address all these signs was with a facelift or other invasive procedure, but today, Juvederm offers a wonderful way to get a more youthful look in just minutes. At the office of Mark P. Solomon in Beverly Hills, CA, we can noninvasively refresh your look and rejuvenate your appearance using this treatment.

Important Questions About Juvederm Dermal Fillers

How Long Does It Take Before You See Ideal Results?

There are several fillers in the Juvederm line, and each is designed to address a particular concern or a particular area of the face. When the filler is injected, the hyaluronic acid goes to work immediately, plumping your face and smoothing out lines.

You’ll see initial results almost instantly, and your final results will be visible a few days later. You’ll notice an almost immediate hydrating effect from this filler. As your skin plumps and lifts, you’ll notice a better texture and more brightness, as well.

Because this product uses a naturally occurring molecule, it’s safe for nearly anyone and effective for people at all stages of the aging process. Juvederm also comes with cross-linking technology, which keeps the molecules from dissolving as quickly as they otherwise would, extending your results. Different formulations have different levels of cross-linking to address different concerns.

What Is In This Product?

Juvederm is the name for a line of dermal fillers that have been approved by the FDA to treat the signs of aging in the cheeks, chin, lips, and more. While the different formulas in the line have different thicknesses and are meant to target certain concerns, they do all have one common base ingredient: hyaluronic acid.

This naturally occurring sugar is responsible for bringing hydration and facilitating the flow of essential nutrients to the skin and joints. This remarkable molecule can hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in water, which is one reason you see results so quickly!

Our bodies stop producing as much hyaluronic acid in response to falling collagen levels that come with aging, but these dermal fillers reverse the issue. Fillers safely, and slowly, dissolve within your body over time. Some formulas last about six months and others for up to two years.  

How Many Treatments Are Required?

Because there’s such a variety of products for reaching just the right spots, you will likely see your ideal look in just one visit. Occasionally you may need two, as a good filler injector will never want to over-fill you, which can make you look stretched and unnatural. In some cases, this can mean you will need just a touch more to get the final look you want.

What Concerns Can Be Treated With These Fillers?

Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Fine lines are barely visible, but over time they grow into deeper wrinkles and can cause your skin to develop an uneven texture. Lines and wrinkles can appear anywhere on the face, but they are most common around the eyes, across the forehead, and all around the mouth and nose.

Dermal fillers work by plumping the skin with extra hydration, which tightens and lifts, erasing these lines.

Skin Laxity

As our collagen levels drop over time, the strong framework that sits just below the outer layers of our skin–connecting them to the muscles and fat beneath–begins to break down. As a result, our skin starts to sag.

You’re likely to notice this first around your eyes, mouth, and jawline, and it can even result in the dreaded “resting grumpy face” that so many people develop around middle age. Dermal fillers fill in the area under the skin and restore a lifted look.

Hollow Cheeks and Temples

As we age, collagen loss and lower levels of hyaluronic acid can cause us to look a bit sunken. Instead of looking plump and round, we may look drawn and haggard. Dermal fillers help by restoring youthful plumpness, and especially to the cheeks.

Thin, Lined Lips

As we age, our lips become thinner and often ill-defined. By injecting a dermal filler, we can bring volume back to this area, creating plumper, more luscious lips. Dermal fillers can also fill in the lipstick lines around your mouth, giving you a better profile and definition.

What Do the Different Fillers in the Line Do?

Ultra XC

This version of Juvederm is made for the skin around the mouth in particular. It’s perfect for dealing with mild to moderate folds and lines, like nasolabial folds and smoker’s lines. This product also helps restore fullness to your lips or better define their natural borders.

Ultra Plus XC

This product is similar to Ultra XC, but it’s thicker. As a thicker formula, it spreads less, but it also works more effectively on deeper lines. Ultra Plus XC is effective in all the areas where Ultra XC can work, but it works well on more severe aging signs.

Voluma XC

This filler has been specially formulated to work on the cheeks. It is thick and can be deeply injected here, where the skin is also thicker, to restore lost volume and lift your face.

Vollure XC

Vollure is an all-around winner, designed with a thicker formula that powerfully smooths away even deep wrinkles and folds. It’s useful almost anywhere on the face.

Volbella XC

This formula is designed to target the lips specifically. It can boost the volume of your lips while simultaneously erasing lines and improving the profile. It’s a gentle formulation designed for the thinner and more delicate skin in this area.

How Long Does This Filler Last?

The different thicknesses of these fillers determine how long they last, as does your body’s unique reaction to them. The thinnest versions last about six months, while the thicker ones can give results that last from 18 months to up to two years.

To get the longest-lasting results, be sure to stay hydrated and protect your skin from the sun. Stay out of the sun when UV rays are strongest–usually between 10 am and 4 pm–and wear sunscreen when you do go out. As for hydration, remember that this filler is all about attracting and keeping water near the skin: so give the filler something to work with!

Your body will naturally absorb the filler over time, and your personal genetics will determine how quickly this happens. However, as soon as you notice any deterioration of your results, you can always get a follow-up treatment and maintain your look.

Am I an Ideal Candidate?

This treatment is perfect for both men and women, and it works on people of every skin tone and type. You don’t have to be a certain age to seek treatment, either, though the majority of people who use this treatment are over 40. However, some younger people seek treatment to put off the signs of aging, and it’s also a great solution for older people who would rather not go through the expense and risk of a facelift. While the results won’t be as dramatic as with an actual surgical procedure, they will be significant!

In general, good candidates are healthy overall, do not have significant allergies, and don’t have an active infection in the area of treatment. If you have very severe skin laxity, there might be other treatments that will work better for you. In addition, some wrinkles respond better to treatment with a neuromodulator like Botox. We can help you determine if this is the right treatment for you when you come for a consultation.

What Should I Expect?

A Consultation

During this first meeting, we’ll talk about the results your looking for, examine your skin, and go over your medical history. It’s important for us to find out whether this treatment is right for you, and there may be some medications you should pause temporarily to have the best treatment experience.

Once we determine this is right for you, we will help you with a personalized treatment plan that addresses your goals and concerns. We may recommend other treatments that could work well with the fillers to get your ideal look. We’ll also give you an idea of how often you should get treatment to keep your results seamless.

Preparation

There is very little you need to do to prepare for dermal fillers. You’ll need to pause certain medications and over-the-counter pills, like aspirin, that thin your blood. We’ll also suggest that you avoid alcohol for a day or so before treatment so you have the best possible experience. It also pays to avoid getting a sunburn and stay well hydrated, too.

Treatment

When you come in for your treatment, we’ll start by cleaning off your skin so there is no risk of any infection. Then we’ll apply a numbing cream that will ensure you are completely comfortable through the experience. It takes about 15 minutes for that to take effect, and once it does, we’ll use very fine needles to gently apply your treatment to the target areas.

With each injection, you’ll have more volume and plumpness, and the total time for treatment can take between 10 and 90 minutes, depending on how large the treatment area, how serious your concerns are, and whether you’re having any other treatments done alongside your fillers.

You should notice an immediate firming and smoothing in your skin. Sagging skin will tighten up, and you’ll notice an overall plumper, more youthful look.

After Treatment

There really is no true “recovery” time, as this is not a surgical or invasive procedure. All you need to do is keep the area clean and avoid using anything that might irritate your skin. This isn’t the time to try out new skincare productions, for example, and it’s a good idea to wear sunscreen while you’re out during this time. The more hydrated you can be, the faster and better your results will be, too.

Avoid rubbing or touching the area for about 48 hours, as this could cause the dermal filler to move around out of the target area, compromising your results. For a few days, keep avoiding any of the medications we pointed out during your consultation.

Follow Up

Over time, the filler will naturally be absorbed by your body. Some people choose to have a follow-up treatment once they start noticing a change, while others prefer to set up a regular schedule of treatments so results remain seamless.

Learn More or Get Started

To learn more about this family of dermal fillers and other ways to refresh your look, reach out to us at the office of Mark P. Solomon in Beverly Hills, CA today!