Are you tired of noticing new lines and wrinkles each morning? Do you feel like your skin is aging before your eyes? If so, you may be interested in learning more about Juvederm, a dermal filler that offers long-lasting treatment options for almost every patient. At Advanced Skin & Facial Rejuvenation in Oklahoma City, we’re proud to offer this rejuvenating filler along with our other popular services.
What Is Juvederm?
Juvederm is a family of FDA-approved, hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers created to help lift and smooth the skin to combat signs of aging. By harnessing the hydrating, body-friendly power of hyaluronic acid, this product can take years off your appearance while addressing concerns like fine lines, wrinkles, and skin laxity with one appointment.
Each treatment is virtually painless, takes less than an hour, and delivers instant results that are natural and long-lasting. Almost every region of the face can benefit from treatment, making this filler one of the most versatile options available today.
What Are the Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid?
Each dose of this dermal filler contains hyaluronic acid gel and a small amount of lidocaine to keep you comfortable during injections. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar produced by the human body. It is attracted to water and provides the skin with a hydrating, cushioning effect.
When injected as a dermal filler, this specially designed gel provides long-lasting lift directly beneath the skin. It has a smooth, skin-like texture, making it a filler that can be used in the skin or lips. It also creates a subtle, natural appearance, making it impossible for anyone to know that you had treatment unless you tell them. Thanks to its natural origins, hyaluronic acid is considered to be safe and effective for almost every patient and absorbs into the body over time.
Which Concerns Can Be Addressed?
With several distinct versions of Juvederm available, this filler can address a variety of skin imperfections. Here are some of our most commonly treated concerns:
Fine Lines
Fine lines often develop around the eyes, mouth, brows, and across the forehead. These lines may be almost invisible at first, but they slowly deepen with time. A dermal filler can erase fine lines by lifting and smoothing the skin and temporarily pausing the aging process.
Wrinkles
Wrinkles, which are caused by a breakdown of collagen structure in the skin, can affect every area of your face. They can be worsened by sun exposure and are one of the hallmarks of aging. With this product, wrinkles can be smoothed away effortlessly. A thicker gel filler can even treat severe wrinkles, offering patients with varying degrees of aging an instant, skin-rejuvenating treatment option.
Skin Laxity
Loose skin is caused by a lack of collagen and elastin. These essential proteins create a framework in the skin, but the aging process slows your body’s production and deteriorates the existing structure. Dermal filler injections can tighten and lift loose skin to restore a youthful, fresh appearance.
Loss of Volume
As we age, the face begins to lose volume. This often affects the cheeks and midface first, making these areas appear sunken or hollow. Specially formulated Juvederm fillers can boost volume in the midface and create a plump, round appearance in your cheeks. This volumizing treatment can improve the overall appearance of your face by lifting and filling areas impacted by the aging process.
Lip Volume and Definition
The lips can be impacted by fine lines, loss of definition, and loss of volume during the aging process. Many patients experience thinning lips and want a discreet, natural filler to revitalize their lips and minimize signs of aging.
Juvederm offers a dermal filler that can be used in and around the lips to completely transform this area of the face. Fine lines can be filled and erased, while the lips themselves are plumped, redefined, and hydrated all in one step.
How Long Does It Last?
Each patient’s experience is different, and your individual results will vary depending on the type of filler we recommend and the concerns you wish to address. However, you can expect your results to last between six months and two years.
Towards the end of this timeline, you will begin to see the natural aging process continue as the dermal fillers safely dissolve and are absorbed by your body. If you opted for an ongoing treatment plan, this lets you know that it’s time to schedule your next appointment. After each appointment, you can enhance your appearance with touch-up treatments as needed. The longevity of your results will depend on how carefully you follow your doctor’s instructions after treatment.
These instructions include good sun protection habits, which are essential for your overall skin health. It’s estimated that over 90% of all common skin concerns, including lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and skin cancer, are caused by harmful sun exposure. If you want to see your dermal fillers last, wear sunscreen when you go outside and limit your time in direct sunlight whenever you can.
How Does It Compare to Other Treatment Options?
Dermal fillers are a fairly recent addition to the anti-aging and beauty world, and some patients aren’t sure what to expect. It’s important to compare this treatment to other popular options in order to develop informed, realistic expectations.
Facelift Surgery
Considered the longest-lasting solution to signs of aging, the facelift surgery lifts and trims loose skin to smooth out wrinkles and create a younger appearance. In most patients, results last 10-15 years. This procedure is able to address mild to severe signs of aging, but as major surgery, it comes with inherent risks, significant downtime, and a price tag that may be prohibitive for many patients.
In contrast, this dermal filler can address mild to severe lines and wrinkles as well as moderate skin laxity and loss of volume in one appointment. Results may last up to two years, and most patients are able to pursue recurring treatments to maintain their ideal image. Best of all, there is zero downtime required, making dermal fillers a more convenient and cost-effective option for those who want to see their skin restored.
Botox
While it is a similar non-invasive treatment for signs of aging, Botox addresses dynamic wrinkles, which are caused by facial muscle movement. As a neurotoxin, it temporarily stops muscle movement to minimize the appearance of these fine lines and wrinkles.
On the other hand, dermal fillers treat static wrinkles, which remain the same in spite of facial movement, and will not effectively treat dynamic wrinkles. If you are concerned about both dynamic and static wrinkles, you may be able to combine Botox and dermal filler treatments to achieve your desired results.
Who Is the Ideal Candidate for Treatment?
An ideal candidate is generally healthy, has mild to severe lines and wrinkles, and wants a simple, non-invasive treatment to address signs of aging and give their skin a noticeable lift. Many of our patients are over 40, but our younger patients can begin pursuing treatment at the age of 21 to treat early signs of aging and refresh their skin’s appearance and vibrancy.
This treatment is appropriate for all skin types, tones, and colors. It may not be ideal for those with severe skin laxity, which cannot be adequately addressed with this treatment. If you’re unsure whether this dermal filler is right for you, you can discuss your candidacy with one of our doctors during an initial consultation.
What Should I Expect?
Consultation
An initial consultation is your first step towards smoother, younger-looking skin. This appointment allows one of our doctors to examine your areas of concern, review your medical history, including any skin-related conditions, and discuss your desired results.
These steps will help your doctor determine your candidacy for treatment and recommend a personalized treatment plan that’s right for you. They will also recommend the specific type of Juvederm filler that will best meet your unique needs.
Preparation
To prepare for this treatment, we recommend protecting your skin from any irritation by avoiding sunburn, harsh exfoliants, any untested skincare products or treatments the week before your appointment.
You may also be asked to temporarily avoid blood-thinning medications to reduce your risk of bleeding or bruising. Finally, you should plan to stop drinking alcoholic beverages 24-48 hours before treatment.
Treatment
On the day of your appointment, you should avoid wearing makeup in the target areas of your face. Your doctor will cleanse your skin and ensure that there are no active skin irritations or infections which could be aggravated by injections. Next, your doctor will apply a topical numbing cream to keep you comfortable during each injection.
Once your skin is numb, your doctor will use a thin needle to inject the filler under the skin in each target area. The filler will instantly fill and lift the skin, creating noticeable results. Thanks to the numbing cream, this process should be painless.
Once your doctor is finished with the injections, you will be able to look in a mirror and see your final results. This may include increased volume in the cheeks and midface, diminished lines, wrinkles, and skin laxity, fuller lips, and an overall youthful, smooth appearance in your skin. You can return to your normal daily activities with zero downtime as soon as your appointment is finished.
Recovery
As your skin recovers, it’s important to protect the injection sites from irritation. This means that you should plan to avoid exfoliating treatments and direct sun exposure for approximately one week. You should also avoid touching, rubbing, or pressing on your skin for at least 48 hours to allow the filler to settle in your skin.
Results
Since your results are instantly visible, that means they’re also instantly enjoyable! You can look forward to living in your fresh new skin for the next six months to two years. If needed, you can return to our office for touch-up injections as the aging process continues. Once your results begin to fade, you may decide to return for follow-up treatments, which can be performed every six months to a year to maintain your ideal image.
Contact Us to Learn More!
If your aging skin is stealing the joy from your life, it’s time to let Juvederm erase signs of aging and transform your skin in one easy appointment. To learn more about this line of dermal fillers, contact our team of experts at Advanced Skin & Facial Rejuvenation in Oklahoma City to schedule an initial consultation today! We look forward to serving you!