It’s common for people to worry about sagging skin and facial folds as they age. It’s particularly troublesome when the skin ages prematurely, making people look older than they really are. Today, our experts at Laser Skin Solutions Jacksonville in Jacksonville Beach, FL are talking about what Juvederm can do to restore your youthful appearance and self-confidence.
What Is Juvederm Used for?
Juvederm is a hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler that is used to reverse the side effects of collagen loss, such as wrinkles and sagging skin. This is accomplished thanks to the volume added to the targeted area immediately and the extra collagen your skin produces over time in response to the treatment.
Which Areas Can I Target for Treatment?
The great thing about this treatment is its versatility. There are numerous Juvederm products, each designed to integrate seamlessly into a different area of the face. We will determine during your initial consultation which formulas will be most appropriate to address your unique cosmetic concerns. This injectable is used most commonly to treat severe facial lines and wrinkles. However, it can also be used to minimize the appearance of acne scars and expression lines.
Additionally, you can use this injectable to erase notoriously stubborn forehead lines, augment the cheeks, restore youthful beauty to the under-eye region and strengthen the jawline. Regardless of the combination of HA-based fillers you receive, you can expect a small immediate improvement in the appearance of the treatment area and results that continue to improve over the course of several weeks.
Voluma XC
We are excited to offer Voluma XC. This formula augments the cheeks non-invasively while tightening sagging skin, recontouring the middle of your face. The localized volume addition will restore healthy, youthful plumpness, and provide a lifted look. If you think the contours of your cheeks make you look old or unhealthy, consider Voluma XC very strongly.
The Original Formula
We are also excited to offer the original formula. This formula has many applications, including enhancing the appearance of the nose and treating parentheses lines. During your initial consultation, we will discuss all of your areas of concern and determine which areas would be treated most effectively with this formula. Note, this is also an “XC” formula, meaning it includes a small amount of lidocaine to ensure your comfort throughout your treatment.
Ultra XC
Ultra XC is similar to the original formula but the hyaluronic acid molecules are a lot larger than the molecules used in the original formula. This makes it much more durable and perfect for use in more dynamic areas, like your mouth. Additionally, it can be used to provide dramatic, non-invasive augmentation of the lips. Finally, we strongly recommend this formula for the treatment of deep nasolabial folds.
How Does This Treatment Compare to Alternatives?
While there are other types of dermal fillers, none last as long as Juvederm’s line of fillers. Furthermore, the results of treatment look natural and the deepest lines, wrinkles, and folds can be erased. A stranger at a bar would never be able to tell that you had “work done” and your ability to emote is not affected by the product in any way.
Additionally, since synthetic hyaluronic acid is completely biocompatible, you don’t need to worry about a histamine response unless you are allergic to lidocaine. Let us know during your initial consultation if you are allergic to lidocaine; we are more than happy to accommodate your allergy.
What To Expect Throughout the Treatment Process
Even though this is a non-invasive treatment, you should still seek care from a qualified aesthetic expert. We will help you find the most appropriate formulas to correct your concerns and ensure Juvederm’s fillers are appropriate for you. We will also guide you every step of the way, from preparing for treatment to caring for your skin afterward.
You First Need To Come in for an Initial Consultation
It is very important that you come in for an initial consultation before you receive your treatment. During this consultation, we will assess the current health of your skin, talk about your medical history and current overall health and discuss your lifestyle. Once we determine this treatment will help you, you need to prepare for your next appointment.
You Then Need To Prepare for Your Injections
You may need to alter a couple of aspects of your lifestyle temporarily to prepare for your injections. For example, you need to discontinue the use of any creams with vitamin A derivatives (retinol). You also need to stop taking NSAIDs and other drugs and dietary supplements that have the potential to thin your blood. Furthermore, you should stop drinking alcohol and smoking in the two weeks leading up to your treatment.
If possible, come in without any cosmetics on your face. If you apply makeup or moisturizing creams to your skin before you come in, we must remove them before your treatment can begin. We also recommend coming in without earrings in and wearing loose, comfortable clothing.
Next, You Need To Come in for Your Injection Session
When you come in for your treatment session, we will cleanse your skin and mark the injection locations with a temporary pen. Afterward, we may apply a topical numbing cream. Although we offer XC products with a local anesthetic in each dose, it takes roughly 15 seconds for the numbing to take effect. The numbness will last long enough that you don’t feel anything during your treatment after it has taken effect.
However, if you’re a little wary of needles, we are happy to apply a topical numbing cream to your skin before your session starts so you don’t even feel the first needle being inserted. Be aware, it can take around a quarter of an hour for the numbing cream to take effect. Depending on the number of formulas we need to use to enhance your aesthetic, your treatment session should take somewhere between 15 and 60 minutes.
Finally, You Need To Care for Your Skin After the Treatment
You may want to apply an ice pack near the treatment area several times daily for the first few days following your injections. You also may want to massage the treatment area very gently a few days after your treatment to ensure the acid has spread evenly around the targeted area.
Although you can go back to most of your usual routine, you should refrain from tobacco use, alcohol consumption, vigorous workouts and unnecessary UV ray exposure during the first 14 days following your treatment. Furthermore, don’t wear makeup after your injection session. Until your skin has healed fully, you need to avoid putting too much pressure on your skin. Do not receive any exfoliating treatments and be extremely gentle when removing makeup.
What To Expect From the Results of the Treatment
You will notice an immediate improvement in your appearance but it will take approximately 14 days to see the final results of your treatment. Remember, it takes a while for the hyaluronic acid to spread throughout the treatment area, settle into the appropriate position and take effect. Two weeks after your session is complete, you will notice a smooth, hydrated radiance.
You won’t be able to tell where your mild-to-moderate lines and wrinkles were. Bags under your eyes will be noticeably less apparent. The size, shape and texture of your lips will be improved drastically and nasolabial folds will be significantly less apparent. However, depending on how deep your nasolabial folds were before treatment, you may need one more session before you are satisfied with the results of the injections completely.
How Long Do the Results of These Injections Last?
The results of these injections typically last between eight months and a year. However, more robust formulas, like Ultra XC and Voluma XC can provide ideal results that last between 18 months and two years, respectively. Remember, you may need anywhere from one to three sessions before you can enjoy satisfactory results. The final results will last roughly one to two years after the final results are achieved.
If you are looking to fill in expression lines, acne scars, or other types of depressed scars, you may need more than three sessions to achieve the smooth look you desire. Also, keep in mind the final results will fade slowly so you may not even need annual maintenance sessions to remain satisfied with the results of your injections.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Treatment?
We can’t say for sure if you are a good candidate for this treatment until we evaluate you during your initial consultation. As a good general rule of thumb, if you are at least 22 years of age, you will be considered a good candidate for this dermal filler. However, you must let us know if you are allergic to lidocaine.
Furthermore, if you have a history of regular skin infections or extremely sensitive skin, we will discuss alternative anti-aging solutions that may suit your unique skin needs better. Lastly, speak with your obstetrician if you are pregnant or nursing and want to receive this filler.
Alternative Therapy for Lifting and Smoothing Your Skin
If you have extremely sensitive skin, you may be a better candidate for Ultherapy. Ultherapy harnesses the safe power of ultrasound waves to warm the foundational layers of your skin. This triggers the production of collagen and provides the same results as dermal filler injections. The skin in the treated area is tightened, lifted, volumized, and smoothed. The durability of the final results depends on the health of your skin but you can typically expect two years of ideal results.
If you are concerned about the appearance of your cheeks, forehead, chin, neck, or chest, but you’re not ready to undergo an invasive procedure, Ultherapy may be a good anti-aging solution for you. What’s really exciting about Ultherapy, besides its versatility and the durability of the results, is its safety. Ultrasound technology has been used to monitor the development of unborn children for decades and over 1.5 million Ultherapy sessions have been performed worldwide without negative consequences.
Get Started Today
If you’re displeased with the appearance of significant volume loss, sagging skin, or moderate-to-severe wrinkles and folds, you’re in good company. Living with these natural side effects of the aging process can wear down your self-esteem and decrease your quality of life. Don’t delay. Contact us today at Laser Skin Solutions Jacksonville in Jacksonville Beach, FL to learn which Juvederm fillers will most effectively improve the appearance of your cheeks, jawline, nose, mouth, lips, under-eyes, and forehead.