Lines and wrinkles are a natural part of the aging process and sun exposure over a lifetime, but you don’t have to just put up with them. Juvederm is a great way to smooth out those lines and add volume to the face. As soon as this injectable settles, you’ll know if you want a touch-up treatment from Infinity MedSpa in Sudbury, MA.
How Long Does It Take Juvederm to Settle?
This is the world’s most popular dermal filler, and people love it for the way it quickly renews the skin and adds volume to areas of hollowness. It’s also beloved as a fast, easy treatment with no downtime. However, Juvederm does need a little time to settle before you see your final results.
How It Works
Once the filler enters the target area, it starts moving through the skin, smoothing out wrinkles, filling in hollows, and immediately improving your look. Then the product begins to break down and actually enter your dermal tissue, where it binds to water molecules. The result is beautifully hydrated, supple skin.
The primary ingredient in the filler is hyaluronic acid, which is a sugar our bodies naturally produce. This sugar is capable of attracting and holding onto 1,000 times its own weight in water.
Final Results
This filler works naturally, much like the hyaluronic acid your body already produces. Because it works this way, it takes two to three weeks to fully settle into your skin. This means that while you’ll see an immediate improvement, you won’t see your final results right away. Once you do, you can choose whether you want to adjust your look in any way, though most people are very happy with what they see!
Enhancing Results
There are a few things you can do to enhance your results and see them more quickly. The first is to avoid alcohol during this time. Alcohol is diuretic that will actively work against the filler and the results you want to see.
The second thing to avoid is the sun. The UV rays of the sun can actually destroy the hyaluronic acid in the filler, so wear protective clothing and a good sunscreen if you do go out. Finally, don’t engage in strenuous exercise on the day after your treatment. The sweating and elevated body temps will prevent your filler from settling as quickly as it should.
What Is Juvederm?
This product is part of a family of fillers, all of them with a hyaluronic acid base. They’re all used to combat signs of aging, and each formula is designed to specifically address different issues or areas of the face.
What’s In It
Each dose of filler has a hyaluronic acid gel of varying thicknesses. Different thicknesses are more or less appropriate for different areas of the face or different concerns–some are perfect for lipstick lines, while others are made to address those really deep wrinkles. Each of the products in the line also comes with a bit of lidocaine, which keeps you comfortable during treatment. The gel goes to work directly lifting the skin from underneath, and it does so naturally so that no one will realize you’ve had a treatment unless you tell them.
Because hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar, it’s very rare for anyone to have an allergic reaction to it. If you have an allergy to lidocaine, however, come talk to us about your options. We can still help you get a more youthful look!
What Can Juvederm Help With?
Fine Lines
If you’re just starting to see lines around your eyes, mouth, or forehead, this filler can help. These lines start out nearly invisible, but over time they deepen. This dermal filler is a great way to prevent the first signs of aging from turning into deeper wrinkles.
Wrinkles
Full-on wrinkles show up because of the constant movement of our muscles as we make expressions (dynamic wrinkles) and from the breakdown of collagen in the skin (static wrinkles). As we get older, our skin produces less and less of this important protein, but thankfully, dermal fillers can treat even severe static wrinkles.
Skin Laxity
As our skin develops fine lines and wrinkles and loses collagen, it tends to become lax. The strong structure underneath, a matrix built and sustained by collagen, begins to come apart. Dermal fillers help this matrix to rebuild, lifting the skin and tightening it for a more youthful look.
Loss of Volume
Another effect of collagen loss is a hollowed or sunken look, and especially to the cheeks. There are various reasons for this, but a hyaluronic acid injection brings water and volume back to the area, strengthening and lifting the skin.
Changes to Lip Volume and Definition
Our lips are also affected by aging. Many people find their lips becoming thinner and would like a discreet way to minimize this problem as well as the fine lines that start to develop around the lips. A dermal filler is the perfect way to naturally revitalize the look of your lips.
FAQ About Juvederm
How Long Does the Treatment Last?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer here, as it will depend on your age, the severity of your skin issues, the precise formula of the product used in your treatment, the natural rate at which your body metabolizes the filler, and how you treat your skin after injections. However, you can generally expect to enjoy good results for at least six months. Some people see their results last for up to two years at a time.
Over time, the hyaluronic acid in this dermal filler will dissolve just as your body’s naturally produced hyaluronic acid does. It will be absorbed, and your results will begin to fade. You can keep your results seamless by scheduling a touch-up injection as soon as you notice a difference (or even before!)
Extending Results
As stated, the way you treat your skin will influence the length of your results. If you practice good skincare habits, you can expect your results to last longer. Keep your skin out of direct sun exposure, stay hydrated, and adhere to good exfoliation, cleansing, and hydrating habits to see the best results.
How Does This Treatment Compare to Other Options?
Dermal fillers are new by cosmetic standards, and until recently, the two most popular anti-aging treatments for the face were Botox and a facelift. Both of these treatments still have their place, but there’s a lot that dermal fillers can do.
Botox
Botox is also an injectable, but it works differently from a dermal filler. Instead of addressing static wrinkles, which are those that show up on our faces whether we’re making an expression or not, Botox addresses dynamic wrinkles, which are caused by muscle movement.
Botox is a neurotoxin that interferes with the signal between the muscles and the nerves, stopping the muscles from moving and thus allowing the skin to smooth out. Most people have both static and dynamic wrinkles as they age, so combining Botox or another neuromodulator with a dermal filler can address both issues for truly amazing results.
Facelift
This is the longest-lasting solution to aging signs, but it’s also the most invasive, expensive, and traumatic. While the results usually last 10 to 15 years, a facelift is a major surgery. It thus comes with risks, significant downtime, and a hefty price tag.
Dermal fillers are able to intervene against mild to moderate aging signs and even stop them from getting worse. There is no downtime involved, and there are no stitches, scars, or worries about anesthesia. For most people, dermal fillers are a great choice for restoring the skin easily and affordably. They can even put off any need for a facelift for years.
Who Is the Ideal Candidate for Treatment?
The right candidate for a dermal filler is healthy, seeing mild to severe lines and wrinkles in their face, and wants to address them with a non-invasive treatment. The average patient seeking a dermal filler is over the age of 40, but it’s increasingly common for people from 21 to 40 to seek treatment in order to address and prevent early signs of aging and keep their skin looking healthy and young.
This treatment is perfect for both men and women, and it’s suitable for every type and color of skin. This is good news for those who have been told they are not a candidate for other treatments due to their skin type or color.
If your skin is particularly lax, this might not be the best treatment for you. While it can address mild laxity, it can’t deal with more severe issues. The best way to find out if you’re a candidate is to come to see us for a consultation, but most people who are interested in this dermal filler are candidates for it.
What Should I Expect?
Consultation
Your first step is always a consultation with us. We can review your medical history, take a look at your skin, and review your goals. That way, we can offer you the best possible treatment and a personalized plan that will get you the results you’re looking for.
Treatment
It’s up to you whether you wear makeup on the day of treatment, but when you arrive, we will remove any makeup and cleanse your skin. This ensures there’s no possibility of injection. Our next step will be to apply a numbing cream to keep you perfectly comfortable. Then we’ll use a very thin needle to inject the filler into your target areas in a careful, artistic manner. The goal is always to give you a perfectly natural look while addressing all your areas of concern.
Once we’re finished, you’ll be able to see your results right away. You’ll notice your face looks younger and more refreshed, with fewer lines and wrinkles, less laxity, and a fuller look. You can immediately go back to your daily routine and even drive yourself home or back to work if you like.
Post-Injection
There is very little you need to do as you recover from your injections. Just protect the site from irritation by forgoing any deep exfoliation for a few days and be sure to stay out of the direct sun. It’s also a good idea to avoid rubbing your skin around the treatment area for about two days. This ensures you don’t accidentally move the filler into another area of the face.
Find Out More
If you’re displeased with the signs of aging in your face, consider a dermal filler. It doesn’t take long for the filler to settle, and you’ll enjoy beautiful results as soon as your treatment is finished. To learn more or set up a consultation, visit us at Infinity MedSpa in Sudbury, MA today! We can’t wait to get started on helping you meet your goals.