JUVEDERM ULTRA PLUS - INJECTABLE FILLER TREATMENTS
What is Juvederm Ultra Plus?
Juvederm Ultra Plus is hyaluronic acid which is a complex sugar that is identical to the hyaluronic acid your body makes. Juvederm Ultra Plus is synthetically made and it is not derived from humans or animals. Because the Juvederm Ultra Plus is identical to the hyaluronic acid in your own body, it breaks down naturally.
How does Juvederm Ultra Plus work?
When Juvederm Ultra Plus is injected into or below the skin it lifts wrinkles, depressions, or scars, so that they are level to the surrounding skin.
Where is Juvederm Ultra Plus used?
Juvederm Ultra Plus can be used anywhere in the face (except for the hollows under the eyes (tear troughs), but it is best suited for deep wrinkles and to replace the facial volume lost due to the aging process. The ideal locations for Juvederm Ultra Plus are the smile lines or parentheses lines (nasolabial or melolabial folds), the marionette lines, the hollows of the cheeks (nasojugal grooves), and to hide the jowls by replacing the volume lost just in front of the jowl (prejowl depression). During your consultation the best filler for your specific concern will be determined.
Are there different types of hyaluronic acid?
Currently, there are two companies that make injectable hyaluronic acid. Medicis makes Restylane and Perlane, and Allergan makes Juvederm Ultra and Juvederm Ultra Plus.
Hyaluronic acid comes in two forms, a thin form and a thick form. A useful analogy is that the thin form of hyaluronic acid (Juvederm Ultra or Restylane) is like jelly; it would flatten out if left out on a table. The thick form of hyaluronic acid (Juvederm Ultra Plus or Perlane) is like JELL-O; it has more structural integrity and would retain its shape on a table. Because the thicker hyaluronic acid has more structural integrity, it is better at lifting the deep depressions of the smile lines (nasolabial folds), marionette lines, and replacing the facial volume lost due to the aging process. The thicker hyaluronic acid also lasts longer. The thinner hyaluronic acid is better at filling fine wrinkles of the upper and lower white lip (smoker’s lines or lip stick lines), wrinkles between the eyebrows (glabella), and superficial scars.
All types of hyaluronic acid can be completely dissolved and removed within 24 hours by the injection of an enzyme.
Does Juvederm Ultra Plus work instantly?
Juvederm Ultra Plus works instantly to lift wrinkles, depressions, scars, and to restore the volume lost during the aging process.
How long does Juvederm Ultra Plus last?
The duration of Juvederm Ultra Plus varies from person to person, from injection site to injection site, and from visit to visit. There are three general rules with Juvederm Ultra Plus: 1. The closer you inject Juvederm Ultra Plus to the mouth, the faster the Juvederm Ultra Plus breaks down. 2. The more superficial you inject Juvederm Ultra Plus the longer it lasts. 3. There are no guarantees of duration when it comes to Juvederm Ultra Plus. During the consultation I can give you general guidelines or ranges for the duration for your specific application.
How many visits are there for a Juvederm Ultra Plus injection?
Unless you have had injectable fillers before, and know exactly what you want, there is usually a consultation to discuss your concerns and to educate you about your treatment options. Once the appropriate injectable filler has been determined for your concern a treatment date will be set. The injection may take anywhere from 15 to 60 minutes depending on the area to be injected and the amount to be injected. There is usually a follow up appointment 10 to 14 days after the injection.
Is there downtime after a Juvederm Ultra Plus injection?
Immediately after the injection there may be some mild redness and some mild swelling. This usually goes away after about one day.
Will I have a bruise after a Juvederm Ultra Plus injection?
The incidence of bruising depends on the location of the injection, the depth of the injection and the individual patient. Therefore, the chance of bruising after a Juvederm Ultra Plus injection is best discussed during the consultation prior to the injection.
If a bruise does occur, it can be covered with makeup.
In case you do have a bruise, I advise patients not to book a Juvederm Ultra Plus injection 10 days prior to any engagement where a bruise maybe unacceptable (i.e. a party or a wedding).
How much discomfort is associated with a Juvederm Ultra Plus injection?
There is very little discomfort during a Juvederm Ultra Plus injection. A topical numbing medication can be applied to the area before the injection if desired. However, most people do not require this. In addition, there is a numbing medication mixed into the Juvederm Ultra Plus and therefore the injection itself makes you temporarily numb.
A very small percentage of patients complain of a mild ache for a day or two at the site of the injection. This is easily controlled with Motrin or Tylenol.
What are my restrictions after a Juvederm Ultra Plus injection?
You should apply cold packs to the injected area for the first 24 hours after the injection.
You should not massage or rub the area for one week.
No facials or microdermabrasions of the injected area for one week after the Juvederm Ultra Plus injection.
You can wear makeup immediately after the injection.
No bending, lifting, or straining following the injection. This rule may apply for one day following the injection, all the way up to one week, depending on the area that was injected.
Keep your head of bed elevated for one day to one week, again depending on the area that was injected.
Procedures / Treatments often performed in conjunction with a Juvederm Ultra Plus injection?
Juvederm Ultra Plus injections are often combined with topical Retin-A, topical Vitamin C, topical Vitamin E, Microdermabrasions, and Facial Peels.
Juvederm Ultra Plus injections are often performed approximately one month after surgical procedures such as lower blepharoplasty (lower eyelid surgery) and facelifts. The Juvederm Ultra Plus injections are to restore the volume lost during the aging process, which the surgical procedures do not correct. These areas include the hollows under the eyes (tear trough deformities), the hollows or flattening of the cheeks (nasojugal grooves), and the smile lines or parentheses lines (nasolabial or melolabial folds).
